Agenda item
Motion(s) submitted on Notice
Minutes:
The following motion was proposed by Councillor Sajid Mahmood and seconded by Councillor Loraine Cox under Council Procedure Rule A9:
1. Israel – Hamas Conflict
In his introduction to the motion, Councillor Mahmood reported that he had been asked by the Opposition to broaden the request to senior political figures referred to in the recommendation to also include writing to local MP Sara Britcliffe. Councillor Mahmood indicated that he was happy to include that wording within the proposed motion.
The altered motion was as follows:
“Many residents in Hyndburn including those in the interfaith community are extremely concerned about what is happening in Palestine and Israel. Many of these Hyndburn residents have family and friends embroiled in a conflict that has seen unprecedented civilian casualties across all communities. Its impact is felt across the whole of our Borough. These residents are suffering as they watch news and social media from the conflict and watch helplessly as horrific images are broadcast almost daily.
We are all appalled by the violent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The unprecedented level of casualties has resulted in countless lives being lost. As of this week over 15,000 Palestinians have been killed with over ten thousand of these being women and children. Each passing day sees a rising toll on lives and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Civilian deaths in Gaza are increasing hour by hour due to a relentless bombardment by Israel, retaliating to the horrific attacks by Hamas on October 7th in Israel, which led to 1,400 fatalities and the abduction of civilians. Israel's tightened siege on Gaza has blocked essential goods like water, food, and fuel, leaving over 2 million people in the Gaza Strip struggling to survive. The humanitarian catastrophe resulting from Israel's 16-year-long illegal blockade will escalate further if the fighting doesn't cease immediately.
As we have seen from the recent pause in fighting. Humanitarian pauses have had little impact on the thousands suffering in Gaza. That is why many residents from across Hyndburn have asked us, their representatives, to speak out and call on the UK Government to push for an immediate ceasefire to stop the mass killing of civilians in the Israel-Gaza conflict and for the immediate release of all hostages held since October 7th, 2023.
We have a strong tradition in Hyndburn of community and ethnic cohesion, let us now all join together to show our support for those community’s and use any power or influence we have to ask on our leaders to demand an immediate ceasefire.
Therefore, I ask this Council moves that:
We direct the Council Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP, and the Leader of the Opposition Group in Parliament, the Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP and our local representative Sara Britcliffe MP, to:
1. Ask the Government to call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza.
2. Urge the Government to work with Israel and Hamas to bring about a negotiation in which we can ensure the immediate release of all hostages.
3. Ask the Government to guarantee the prompt opening of aid corridors into Gaza, enabling the delivery of crucial supplies such as food, water, fuel, and life-saving medical equipment to those impacted by the conflict.
4. Urge the United Nations and International Criminal Court to appoint independent arbitrators to assess the validity of evidence of war crimes among all parties involved in this conflict.
5. Urge all parties to collaborate on achieving peace, enabling the establishment of a recognised and sovereign Palestine alongside a secure and sovereign Israel.
6. Advocate for the appointment of a British special envoy to collaborate with the United Nations (UN) and other stakeholders, expediting the peace process in alignment with the Oslo Accords and preceding UN resolutions.
7. Ask the Government to consider the wider refugee implications of Palestinian displacement and that an international resettlement scheme is negotiated.”
Councillors Mahmood, Aziz, Dad, Younis, Short, P Cox, Haythornthwaite, A Khan, Britcliffe and L Cox spoke in favour of the motion, highlighting the significant humanitarian issues, the need for a peaceful resolution to the on-going situation and the unified voice of local councillors.
On being put to the VOTE the MOTION was CARRIED and it was:
Resolved - That this Council directs the Council Leader and Chief Executive to write to the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Rishi Sunak MP, and the Leader of the Opposition Group in Parliament, the Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer MP and our local representative Sara Britcliffe MP, to:
(1) Ask the Government to call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza.
(2) Urge the Government to work with Israel and Hamas to bring about a negotiation in which we can ensure the immediate release of all hostages.
(3) Ask the Government to guarantee the prompt opening of aid corridors into Gaza, enabling the delivery of crucial supplies such as food, water, fuel, and life-saving medical equipment to those impacted by the conflict.
(4) Urge the United Nations and International Criminal Court to appoint independent arbitrators to assess the validity of evidence of war crimes among all parties involved in this conflict.
(5) Urge all parties to collaborate on achieving peace, enabling the establishment of a recognised and sovereign Palestine alongside a secure and sovereign Israel.
(6) Advocate for the appointment of a British special envoy to collaborate with the United Nations (UN) and other stakeholders, expediting the peace process in alignment with the Oslo Accords and preceding UN resolutions.
(7) Ask the Government to consider the wider refugee implications of Palestinian displacement and that an international resettlement scheme is negotiated.