Motion on Support for calling for a Ceasefire in Palestine and Israel at the full Council meeting to be held on Thursday April 18th at 6:30pm at Southport Town Hall. Members of the public are allowed to attend.

Moved by: Cllr Natasha Carlin, Seconded by: Cllr Sean Halsall

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.