The war in Gaza has been condemned by members of Inverclyde Council who have also spoken out against religious persecution.

Councillors agreed a motion put forward by local authority leader Stephen McCabe and backed by depute leader Natasha McGuire for the council to put on record its unequivocal condemnation of the conflict in the Middle East and support calls for an immediate ceasefire.

It was approved at a full council meeting on Thursday 7 December 2023.

The motion also called for all hostages to be released and to put on record the council’s solidarity with Scotland’s Jewish, Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian communities and condemnation of antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred.

Councillor McCabe said: “The killing of innocent men, women, and children is abhorrent and must stop.

“We all have a duty to speak out against these deplorable actions and continue to put pressure on the international community to ensure an immediate ceasefire to allow for the release of hostages and for delivery of vital supplies but ultimately to find a solution to end this war and prevent any further, unnecessary bloodshed.

“It is also important that we, as a council, call out any form of religious prejudice because it has no place in Inverclyde or indeed the world.”

The motion was agreed by a majority of councillors.

Councillor McGuire said: “It is heartbreaking and extremely distressing watching the events unfolding in the Middle East. 

“A humanitarian ceasefire is essential now but more needs to be done towards achieving credible, lasting and sustainable peace through all diplomatic and political means to prevent any more innocent civilians being caught up in this barbaric war.

“Here in Inverclyde, we stand with the innocent people of Gaza, Palestine and Israel who support an end to this violence and we add our collective voice to the calls for peace in the Middle East.”

The full text of the motion is as follows:

Notice of Motion: Palestine/Israel

This Council:

• unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s barbaric and unjustifiable terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens on 7 October 2023, and demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages;
• while recognising Israel’s right to defend itself, believes that civilians must never be targeted and innocent lives must be protected, and deplores actions that have led to the death of thousands of innocent Palestinian men, women and children;
• agrees that all human life is equal, abhors the loss of innocent lives, and affirms the right of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security; and further agrees that the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza must stop;
• expresses its solidarity with Scotland’s Jewish, Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian communities and condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other form of hatred;
• believes that a credible, lasting and sustainable peace can only be based on the two-state solution through reinvigorated diplomatic and political efforts in a Middle East peace process;
• recognises the agreement of a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to enable the release of some hostages, the release of prisoners and the admission of significantly more humanitarian aid;
• recognises that, in order for any permanent ceasefire to be achieved, it requires all sides to comply;
• is horrified by the Hamas statement that it would repeat the 7 October attacks and continue rocket fire;
• is appalled that the Israeli Prime Minister has stated that he will not even consider a permanent ceasefire;
• calls, therefore, on the international community to use every form of diplomacy to try and create the conditions on the ground to make a full and permanent ceasefire a reality;
• further calls on the International Criminal Court to investigate the conduct of all parties in this conflict, and affirms the commitment to a lasting peace with the end of illegal occupation, siege and settlements, and a two-state solution where a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state exists alongside a safe and secure Israel.

Moved by: Councillor Stephen McCabe

Seconded by: Councillor Natahsa McGuire

A recording of the meeting of Inverclyde Council on Thursday 7 December 2023 is available on the council’s YouTube channel and the full agenda and reports are available on the council website.