Gaza Conflict Motion
Councillor Dawood proposes that Leicester City Council notes:
We as elected members of Leicester City Council, call on the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the other parties nationally to:
1. Call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.
2. Advocate for the unrestricted restoration of aid and amenities into Gaza.
3. Demand the unconditional release of all hostages.
4. Urge the UK to recognize the state of Palestine.
5. Make the UK a place of sanctuary for refugees fleeing the conflict.
Minutes:
Gaza Conflict
Moved by Councillor Batool, seconded by the City Mayor that:
Leicester City Council notes:
The current conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to be the cause of much pain and concern in our city and has the danger of promoting divisions. We stand firmly against all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia.
Leicester City Council condemns all taking of hostages, indiscriminate killing of civilians, the destruction of property, homes and essential infrastructure.
We note that on 6th November the UN Secretary General António Guterres described the situation in Gaza as a "graveyard for children" and that in comments made on 8th November the UN High Commissioner, Volker Turk, denounced collective punishment as a war crime.
Gaza continues to remain under siege in distressing circumstances resulting in to date over 13,000 deaths, including almost 6,000 children, with the Israeli government preventing adequate aid, critical medical supplies, and fuel from entering the area.
We believe too there have been further settler incursions in the West bank and the bombing of safe passages, hospitals, places of worship and refugee camps resulting in hundreds more deaths and injuries.
As elected representatives of our proudly diverse city, we call on the Government and the other national political parties to -
1. Call for an immediate ceasefire from all parties.
2. Advocate for the unrestricted restoration of aid and amenities into Gaza.
3. Demand the unconditional release of all hostages.
4. Urge the UK to recognize the state of Palestine.
5. Call for proactive upholding of International Law and investigation of alleged war crimes.
AMENDMENT
Moved by Councillor Batool, seconded by the City Mayor:
Leicester City Council notes:
Leicester is a city renowned for its tolerance, diversity, unity, and its strong stance against all forms of discrimination. This position enables different communities to live together harmoniously in our city.
The current conflict in Israel and Gaza continues to be the cause of much pain and concern in our city and has the danger of promoting divisions. We stand firmly against all forms of antisemitism and islamophobia.
Leicester City Council condemns all taking of hostages, indiscriminate killing of civilians, the destruction of property, homes and essential infrastructure.
We note that on 6th November the UN Secretary General António Guterres described the situation in Gaza as a "graveyard for children" and that in comments made on 8th November the UN High Commissioner, Volker Turk, denounced collective punishment as a war crime.
Gaza continues to remain under siege in distressing circumstances resulting in to date over 13,000 deaths, including almost 6,000 children, with the Israeli government preventing adequate aid, critical medical supplies, and fuel from entering the area.
We believe too there have been further settler incursions in the West bank and the bombing of safe passages, hospitals, places of worship and refugee camps resulting in hundreds more deaths and injuries.
As elected representatives of our proudly diverse city, we call on the Government and the other national political parties to -
1. Call for an immediate ceasefire from all parties.
2. Advocate for the unrestricted restoration of aid and amenities into Gaza.
3. Demand the unconditional release of all hostages.
4. Urge the UK to recognize the state of Palestine.
5. Call for proactive upholding of International Law and investigation of alleged war crimes
The Lord Mayor put the amendment to the vote.
The Lord Mayor declared the amendment carried.
Following debate, under Council Procedure Rule 29 of the Council’s Constitution, three Councillors requested a recorded vote.
For the motion:
Councillors Agath, Aldred, Aqbany, Bajaj, Barnes, Batool, Bonham, Cank, Cassidy, Chauhan, Clarke, Cole, Cutkelvin, Dawood, Dempster, Gopal, Halford, Haq, Joel, Kaur Saini, Kennedy-Lount, Kitteirck, March, Modhwadia, Mohammed, Moore, O’Neil, Orton, Osman, Pantling, Pickering, Porter, Rae Bhatia, Russell, Sahu, Singh-Patel, Singh-Sangha, Sood, Soulsby (City Mayor), Surti, Waddington, Westley, Whittle, Zaman
The Lord Mayor declared that the substantive, amended motion was carried.