Issue - meetings

To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors Pattison, Crook, Kendrick, Turner, Munir Ahmed, A U Pinnock, Addy and Hawkins;

“This Council notes that Kirklees is a district celebrated for its tolerance, inclusivity and strong stance against all forms of discrimination. This enables our many and diverse communities to live together in unity.

The current conflict in Israel and Gaza is inflicting intolerable suffering on innocent victims and continues to be the cause of much pain and concern to all communities here in Kirklees. We stand firmly in solidarity with all those suffering from conflict and against all forms of prejudice, including racism, antisemitism and islamophobia.

This Council condemns the loss of civilian life, the destruction of property, homes and essential civilian infrastructure and any taking of hostages.

Furthermore, this Council:

(i)             reiterates our call (Kirklees Labour Motion Amendment, 17th January 2024) for an immediate, permanent and lasting humanitarian ceasefire and for the cessation of all violence in Gaza and the wider region.

(ii)            calls for the immediate, unconditional and safe return of all hostages.

(iii)          acknowledges and endorses the positive move by the new UK government to recommence funding for UNRWA, to help mitigate the suffering of displaced people who are victims of violent conflict.

(iv)          calls for more to be done to provide unimpeded and desperately needed humanitarian aid to all parts of Gaza, including food, water, medicine and fuel.

(v)           calls for international law to be upheld and for a secure two state solution to be urgently sought.

(vi)          acknowledges the efforts made by local community leaders and key representatives working to bring communities together (along with the Police and the Council) and calls for this work to continue in order to maintain community cohesion in Kirklees.

(vii)         applauds the new UK government for stating that the government will not pursue an objection to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

(viii)       calls for restrictions to UK weapons sales to the Israeli Government to ensure that no weapon made partly or entirely in the UK is used against civilian targets on all sides.

(ix)          endorses the intention to fly a flag of peace from Huddersfield and Dewsbury Town Halls to indicate our solidarity with all people suffering from conflict, our strong advocation of peace and our wish for an end to armed conflict.

Therefore, this Council calls for lasting peace in Gaza and the Middle East.”

Item not considered (Meeting terminated in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16:2).