15/11/2023 - Council calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

On Tuesday 14 November 2023 Luton Councillors from all three political parties debated a council motion which noted:

• The events of 7th October shocked the world as we saw images of the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and the massacre of 1,400 Israeli civilians. We have also seen the suffering inflicted upon civilian population of Gaza by the Israeli Government response. As of 12 November, the United Nations reports that as many as 11,000 civilians have been killed in Gaza, including over 4,500 children, with many more missing. This suffering has had a profound impact on our community here in Luton.
• This is, of course, not a new crisis. We cannot look at current events out of context of the last 75 years, with periods of escalation, violence, and suffering in the region. The Palestinian people have suffered abuses of their human rights for decades. Millions have been internally displaced, seen their movement restricted and their economic prospects damaged. Much of their internationally agreed borders have been repeatedly violated and settlements erected on Palestinian land.
• The answer to these violations is not, and never can be, the deliberate murder of civilians conducted by Hamas. The massacre carried out on 7th of October has damaged the prospect of peace in the region and of bringing forward a viable two state solution.
• Hamas are not the Palestinian people and the Israeli Government’s response of cutting off water, electricity, fuel and restricting aid amount to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, which is in violation of international law.
• Over the past few weeks we have seen harrowing images coming from Gaza with civilians being killed in airstrikes, hospitals reaching crisis point, infrastructure destroyed, and a shortage of food, water and medical aid.
• This suffering is all the more painful when it is noted that over 50% of the population of Gaza is under 18.
• Reports of increasing Islamophobic and anti-semitic incidents in the UK over the past few weeks are of deep concern. There must be zero tolerance for harassment, intimidation, and violence against any community in Luton and across the UK. If people in Luton have experienced a hate crime they can report this to Bedfordshire Police, or organisations such as Tell Mama and CST.

Following the debate councillors from all three political parties unanimously agreed to call for:

• An immediate ceasefire by all parties and full access for humanitarian aid organisations.
• The restoration of water, electricity, fuel and communications.
• The UK Government to work with international partners to bring about a de-escalation and a negotiation for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
• The opening of evacuation corridors to allow those fleeing the conflict zone to leave.
• The halting of construction of Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, including the West Bank. Settlement building is unlawful and unacceptable.
• An International Criminal Court investigation into all sides of the conflict with perpetrators brought to justice.
• The UK Government to work with international partners to broker a lasting peace in the region, pressing for the restarting of negotiations for a two-state solution with a viable Palestinian state alongside a safe and secure Israel.
• A copy of this Motion to be sent to the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Leader of the Opposition.