Agenda item

Copy attached

It was moved by Councillor Carlin, seconded by Councillor Halsall:

Motion on Support for calling for a Ceasefire in Palestine and Israel

This Council:

Condemns the murder of innocent civilians, the taking of hostages and the subsequent death and destruction in Gaza. This Council believes that there must be an urgent priority to stop the deaths and suffering of anymore civilians internationally and to prevent potential harm caused directly and indirectly to Sefton Residents, both at home and abroad. This Council expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in Sefton who have been affected by this conflict, we offer our support in this difficult time.

Sefton Council supports calls by the UN Security Council for an immediate permanent ceasefire to allow more aid into Gaza and Palestine and to help the possibility of a peaceful resolution. It further supports the immediate release of all hostages and believes that there should be full humanitarian access in Gaza immediately. This would result in a reduction in the loss of lives and the distress caused internationally, whilst also reducing the stress and harm caused to those directly and indirectly impacted within our borough.

Believes that the recent tragic events in Palestine and Israel must not be allowed to divide our communities in Sefton. This Council therefore condemns any increase in Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and believes that all forms of racism have no place in our Borough. This Council believes Jews, Muslims and people of all faiths should feel safe in Sefton.

This Council resolves to:

·       Offer support to any local residents who need our assistance as a result of these violent events.

·       Be ready to provide support and open our arms to innocent people displaced and affected by these events.

·       Ask the leader of the council to write to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to express the Council’s view that there should be an urgent permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the rest of Palestine and Israel and that every effort should be made to resume the peace process, including upholding Humanitarian Law to ensure civilians everywhere are protected.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Atkinson, seconded by Councillor Fairclough that the Motion be revised as follows:

Support for calling for a Ceasefire in Palestine and Israel

This Council:

Condemns the murder of innocent civilians, the taking of hostages and regrets the subsequent death and destruction in Gaza. This Council believes that there must be an urgent priority to stop the deaths and suffering of anymore civilians internationally and to prevent potential harm caused directly and indirectly to Sefton Residents, both at home and abroad. This Council expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in Sefton who have been affected by this conflict, we offer our support in this difficult time.

Sefton Council supports calls by the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire to allow more aid into Gaza and Palestine and to help the possibility of a peaceful resolution. It further supports the immediate release of all hostages and believes that there should be full humanitarian access in Gaza immediately. This would result in a reduction in the loss of lives and the distress caused internationally, whilst also reducing the stress and harm caused to those directly and indirectly impacted within our borough.

Believes that the recent tragic events in Palestine and Israel must not be allowed to divide our communities in Sefton. This Council therefore condemns any increase in Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and believes that all forms of racism have no place in our Borough. This Council believes Jews, Muslims and people of all faiths should feel safe in Sefton.

This Council resolves to:

·    Offer support to any local residents who need our assistance as a result of these violent events.

·    Be ready to provide support and open our arms to innocent people displaced and affected by these events.

·     Ask the Leader of the Council to express the council’s view and write to the Prime Minister supporting the stance of the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the UN Council and call for an immediate cease fire, the immediate release of all hostages and immediate humanitarian access into Gaza; so that we can have a permanent ceasefire and work towards a long-term peaceful solution.

Following a debate on the Amendment the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer officiated a vote and the Mayor declared that the Amendment was carried by 45 votes to 9 with 1 abstention.

Following debate and in accordance with rule 95 of Chapter 4 in the Constitution, the voting on the Substantive Motion was recorded and the Members present at the time, voted as follows:

FOR THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION:

Councillors Atkinson, Bradshaw, Brough, Danny Burns, Byrom, Cluskey, Corcoran, Desmond, Dowd, Doyle, Fairclough, Grace, Hansen, Hardman, Harrison Kelly, Hart, Harvey, Howard, John Joseph Kelly, Sonya Kelly, Killen, Lappin, Lunn-Bates, Ian Maher, McKee, Moncur, Morris, Murphy, Myers, O’Brien, Catie Page, Christopher Page, Prendergast, Richards, Riley, Robinson, Roche, Roscoe, Spring, Thomas, Tweed, Veidman, Waterfield and Sir Ron Watson.

AGAINST THE SUBSTANTIVE MOTION:

None.

ABSTENTIONS:

Councillors Brodie-Browne, Carlin, D’Albuquerque, Dodd, Evans, Halsall, Pugh, Shaw, Lynne Thompson and Wilson.

The Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 45 votes to 0 with 10 abstentions and it was:

RESOLVED:

Support for calling for a Ceasefire in Palestine and Israel

This Council:

Condemns the murder of innocent civilians, the taking of hostages and regrets the subsequent death and destruction in Gaza. This Council believes that there must be an urgent priority to stop the deaths and suffering of anymore civilians internationally and to prevent potential harm caused directly and indirectly to Sefton Residents, both at home and abroad. This Council expresses deep sympathy for all those affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. To those in Sefton who have been affected by this conflict, we offer our support in this difficult time.

Sefton Council supports calls by the UN Security Council for an immediate ceasefire to allow more aid into Gaza and Palestine and to help the possibility of a peaceful resolution. It further supports the immediate release of all hostages and believes that there should be full humanitarian access in Gaza immediately. This would result in a reduction in the loss of lives and the distress caused internationally, whilst also reducing the stress and harm caused to those directly and indirectly impacted within our borough.

Believes that the recent tragic events in Palestine and Israel must not be allowed to divide our communities in Sefton. This Council therefore condemns any increase in Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence and abuse in the UK and believes that all forms of racism have no place in our Borough. This Council believes Jews, Muslims and people of all faiths should feel safe in Sefton.

This Council resolves to:

·    Offer support to any local residents who need our assistance as a result of these violent events.

·    Be ready to provide support and open our arms to innocent people displaced and affected by these events.

·     Ask the Leader of the Council to express the council’s view and write to the Prime Minister supporting the stance of the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and the UN Council and call for an immediate cease fire, the immediate release of all hostages and immediate humanitarian access into Gaza; so that we can have a permanent ceasefire and work towards a long-term peaceful solution.