To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 458(a)) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Dewhirst and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely
Council condemns the awful terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7th October.
Council is horrified by the scenes of violence in relation to all individuals who reside in the area in the weeks and days since, in particular the devastating humanitarian situation and the potential effect on the residents of Devon.
Council supports the implementation of international law, which means targeting terrorists, not civilians, and ensuring that innocent citizens do not pay the price.
Council expresses its concern at the UK Government’s failure to attempt to ensure that the Israeli government and its military adhere to the requirements of international law and the UK Government’s refusal to publish legal advice it has received in relation to the conflict.
Council further calls for the international community to revisit UN Resolution 242, supporting a long term, peaceful, two-state solution for both Israel and Palestine.
Council also believes:
· Essential supplies of aid, water, food, medicine and electricity must continue to be provided to Gaza.
· The UK Government must, with others, work for a lasting ceasefire to:
o A - Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and
o B - Allow for an intensive period of diplomacy to realise a political solution, aimed at achieving two states and a lasting peace.
Council accordingly resolves to:
· Ask the UK Government to work towards a lasting ceasefire.
· Note with deep concern the severe reverberations of this crisis in the UK, with Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities all fearing and grieving, and condemns the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia since 7th October. This could have the potential to affect our communities in Devon.
· Thank community leaders for the role they are playing in reducing tensions at this sensitive and difficult time.
· Call upon community leaders and public figures to act responsibly and work to bring communities together at this sensitive time.
· Recognise the role Devon & Cornwall Police are playing at the current time in supporting communities in Devon.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (LDS/24/2) and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
that Council be recommended to:
(a) support the Government in its efforts to find a ceasefire solution in this situation;
(b) express solidarity with the innocent people directly affected by the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza;
(c) pay tribute to the humanitarian aid workers who remain committed to their work, despite the dangers to their health and their lives; and
(d) continue to work with the Devon and Cornwall Police and local communities to ensure Devon’s residents are safe.
Decision:
that the Council;
(a) support the Government in its efforts to find an urgent ceasefire solution in this situation;
(b) express solidarity with the innocent people directly affected by the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza;
(c) pay tribute to the humanitarian aid workers who remain committed to their work, despite the dangers to their health and their lives; and
(d) continue to work with the Devon and Cornwall Police and local communities to ensure Devon’s residents are safe.
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 244 of 7 December 2023 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Dewhirst that:
Council condemns the awful terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7th October.
Council is horrified by the scenes of violence in relation to all individuals who reside in the area in the weeks and days since, in particular the devastating humanitarian situation and the potential effect on the residents of Devon.
Council supports the implementation of international law, which means targeting terrorists, not civilians, and ensuring that innocent citizens do not pay the price.
Council expresses its concern at the UK Government’s failure to attempt to ensure that the Israeli government and its military adhere to the requirements of international law and the UK Government’s refusal to publish legal advice it has received in relation to the conflict.
Council further calls for the international community to revisit UN Resolution 242, supporting a long term, peaceful, two-state solution for both Israel and Palestine.
Council also believes:
· Essential supplies of aid, water, food, medicine and electricity must continue to be provided to Gaza.
· The UK Government must, with others, work for a lasting ceasefire to:
o A - Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and
o B - Allow for an intensive period of diplomacy to realise a political solution, aimed at achieving two states and a lasting peace.
Council accordingly resolves to:
· Ask the UK Government to work towards a lasting ceasefire.
· Note with deep concern the severe reverberations of this crisis in the UK, with Jewish, Muslim and Palestinian communities all fearing and grieving, and condemns the rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia since 7th October. This could have the potential to affect our communities in Devon.
· Thank community leaders for the role they are playing in reducing tensions at this sensitive and difficult time.
· Call upon community leaders and public figures to act responsibly and work to bring communities together at this sensitive time.
· Recognise the role Devon & Cornwall Police are playing at the current time in supporting communities in Devon.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 458(a) 10 January 2024:
Councillor Hart MOVED and Councillor McInnes SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that the Council;
(a) support the Government in its efforts to find a ceasefire solution in this situation;
(b) express solidarity with the innocent people directly affected by the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza;
(c) pay tribute to the humanitarian aid workers who remain committed to their work, despite the dangers to their health and their lives; and
(d) continue to work with the Devon and Cornwall Police and local communities to ensure Devon’s residents are safe.
Councillor Hodgson suggested that inclusion of the word ‘urgent’ be incorporated into recommendation (a) as follows.
(a) support the Government in its efforts to find an urgent ceasefire solution in this situation;
The Leader agreed to this inclusion and the revised amendment in the name of Councillor Hart was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED and subsequently thereafter also CARRIED as the substantive motion.