To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors Darwan, Hussain, Moore, H Zaman, Bramwell, Safdar, Scott, Masood Ahmed, A Zaman, Daji, Kahut and Anwar.
“This Council notes that almost a year ago from the start of the recent conflict in Gaza:
a) Israel’s ground and air campaign in Gaza has killed more than 39,324 people and continuing, mostly civilians, and driven most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people from their homes Plus 90,830 Palestinian people injured and approximately 1,478 Israelis have been reported as killed.
b) The Israeli crimes violate international criminal laws, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of genocide, which the Israel Defense Forces, the military branch of the state of Israel, has been accused of committing since the founding of Israel in 1948. These have included murder, intentional targeting of civilians, killing prisoners of war and surrendered combatants, indiscriminate attacks, collective punishment, starvation, the use of human shields, sexual violence and rape, torture, pillage, forced transfer, breach of medical neutrality, targeting journalists, attacking civilian and protected objects, wanton destruction, incitement to genocide, and genocide.
c) Many residents in Kirklees remain gravely concerned about the continued horrifying situation in Gaza. Most societies consider murder to be an extremely serious crime, and thus believe that a person convicted of murder should receive harsh punishments for the purposes of retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, or incapacitation. In most countries, a person convicted of murder generally receives a long-term prison sentence, a life sentence, or capital punishment.
This Council calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the UK Prime Minster Kier Starmer and to the Foreign Secretary David Lammy to immediately request the following:
1. Suspend both extant licenses for military equipment and technology and theissuing of new licenses while Israel continues to carry out widespread serious violations with impunity.
2. Adhere to its obligations under international law, respect the International Court of Justiceruling, and advocate for adherence to international law and accountability for all parties.
3.
Use every diplomatic and economic lever at its
disposal to help secure an immediate and
permanent ceasefire, to stop the
death and destruction, and to secure the safe release of hostages
on both sides.
4. Significant and immediate aid and protection for Palestinians in Gaza who face imminent danger from hunger, disease, and military bombardment.
5. To look at a leadership change in Israel. It appears increasingly clear that a ceasefire will not happen with Netanyahu and his supporters in control of Israel’s policy and military.
6.
Control of Gaza to be given to the Palestinian
Authority.
In addition to the above we ask that the Council Leader that the Palestinian Flag be flown at Huddersfield, Batley and Dewsbury Town Halls in an act of remembrance for those who have died. In the past Huddersfield Town Hall have flown the Irish flag. The flags will be donated by a local Kirklees group and at no cost to the Kirklees Council or to the Local Council Taxpayers. Furthermore, we request the Council to stop buying products from Israeli companies, who have illegally occupied Palestinian territories, and to ensure that goods and consumables sourced from companies directly or indirectly involved in the conflict are not used.”