Agenda item
Green Motion: The Crisis in Israel and Palestine: Call For a Ceasefire, Release Of All Hostages & More Support For Local Community Cohesion.
This Council notes:
1. Across Hackney residents have been horrified by the violent conflict in Israel and Palestine and are grief stricken at the loss of lives, including thousands of children. Many, especially in Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities, are concerned for the safety of friends, family and work colleagues in the region.
2. Previous conflicts in the region have been associated with increases in community tensions, Islamophobia, antisemitism and hate crime in the UK.
3. There has been a worrying rise in antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crime in Hackney since the attacks by Hamas on Israelis on 7th October and the latest siege, bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza.
4. A range of international humanitarian organisations have been calling for a ceasefire, including Oxfam, Save the Children, Medecins Sans Frontières, Muslim Aid, War on Want, War Child and Amnesty International.
5. Hackney is twinned with Haifa city in Israel. Haifa is 160km from the Gaza Strip.
6. The brilliant work by faith and community groups and leaders across the borough to hold our community together, provide solace for today and hope for the future.
This Council believes:
7. There must be an immediate ceasefire to end the violence. Humanitarian aid and basic services must be immediately restored. Hostages must be immediately released.
8. A just and lasting peace in the region cannot and will not be brought about through violence, but will only be the result of a political negotiation based on democratic principles, equal rights for all and an end to occupation negotiated by the people of the region. Peace, justice and reconciliation in the region is likely to have a positive impact on community cohesion in Hackney.
9. There can be no place for hate in our Borough. Hackney must be a safe place for those of all faiths and nationalities. We must support those whose families and loved ones are caught up in this conflict. And as a Borough of Sanctuary we extend a special welcome to those fleeing war and persecution and must do all we can to avoid that journey becoming a necessary last resort of many who would not otherwise wish to leave their homes.
This Council resolves:
10.To ask the Mayor to write to the UK government to:
a) Ask them to call for an immediate ceasefire and immediate release of all hostages.
b) Ask them to call for a renewed peace process to establish a political settlement that guarantees freedom, justice and safety for both Israelis and Palestinians.
c) Request central government funding to support community cohesion and peace-making at a local level.
11.To continue to work with borough partners to ensure safety for our Muslim and Jewish communities, hold interfaith events more regularly, and to be ready to welcome refugees from the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
12.Encourage interfaith and community groups to bid for funding, like Local Initiative Funding, to support community cohesion, peace-making and celebrating how Hackney fosters harmony between our diverse communities.
Proposed by: Councillor Alastair Binnie-Lubbock
Seconded by: Councillor Zoë Garbett
Decision:
RESOLVED:
That this item stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.
Minutes:
RESOLVED:
That this item stand referred, without discussion, to the next ordinary meeting of Full Council to be listed at the relevant agenda item in order received.