12 January 2024
Stockport Council has backed a motion brought by Green Councillors Gary Lawson and James Frizzell concerning the situation in Israel, Gaza and the rest of Palestine. The motion addressed both the need to achieve a just peace in the region and the impact on people here, eloquently attested to by Councillors.
Councillor Gary Lawson proposed the motion, saying that while it was questionable whether Stockport Council could make much of a difference “I could not live with my conscience if I remained silent, if I could have spoken out for the cause of peace.”
Councillor James Frizzell, seconding, added: “We must be aware of the effect this conflict is having on people in Stockport. Specifically we must provide support to our residents who are suffering from attacks of an antisemitic or an islamophobic nature .”
The Council resolved to:
(i) explore how the Council can better support and facilitate events for people of all faiths and none, where they can come together and express solidarity and sadness in response to these events.
(ii) offer appropriate support to any local resident who needs our assistance as a result of these violent events.
(iii) stand ready to provide support and open our arms to innocent people displaced and affected by these events.
An amendment added clauses on a two state solution and the Red Cross to the original motion. As a result Party group leaders will write to David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, to call on the UK Government to press all parties to agree:
(i) to an urgent permanent bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, Israel and the rest of Palestine and to make every effort to resume the peace process;
(ii) to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws;
(iii) To allow the Red Cross immediate access to hostages in Gaza, in order to provide urgent medical aid to the elderly, the sick and the wounded and to ensure all civilians have access to humanitarian support, including unfettered access to medical supplies, food, electricity, other fuel and water.
(iv) Calls on the UK Government to do all in its its powers to support those that are committed to a permanent peace and a 2-state solution
Prior to the Council Meeting there was a silent candlelight vigil for peace organised by Stockport for Peace and Stockport Green Party
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