Green Councillors in Bristol calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
Green Councillors in Bristol have put forward a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the UK to end its arms trade with Israel.
The motion, which will be debated at a meeting of the Full Council next Tuesday (14th January), asks Bristol City Council (BCC) to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and for Council leaders to write to the Labour Government asking the Prime Minister to end the UK’s arms trade with Israel.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Since October 7th, 2023, more than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, including over 17,000 children. More than half the homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed and around 80% of the Gaza strip is under active evacuation orders. [1]
The motion notes that in January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world court, handed down an interim ruling affirming there is plausible evidence Israel going attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza are in breach of the Genocide Convention. [2]
Cllr Jemphrey, Green Cllr for Lawrence Hill, who put forward the motion, said; “The scale and suffering of the people of Gaza is incomprehensible, and alone in the face of such atrocities it’s easy to feel helpless. This motion is to show that collectively as a Council and as a city, there are tangible actions we can take to address the ongoing genocide in Gaza. It is inspired by the activists that regularly come to city hall to make their collective voice heard.
“The Green Party is listening. There must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the Prime Minister must stop the UK’s arms trade with Israel to prevent more casualties.”
The motion also calls for the Avon Pension Fund, of which Bristol City Council is a member, to divest from any companies complicit in Israel’s attacks on Palestinians, including arms companies. [3]
Cllr Fi Hance, BCC’s representative on the Avon Pension Fund Committee said, “Like so many people in Bristol and across the world, I have been horrified by the events in Gaza and am in full support of this motion.
“I am already doing all I can to investigate how the Avon Pension Fund can divest from companies that are linked to this ongoing genocide. By passing this motion, Bristol City Council has the opportunity to add pressure to make it clear that divestment is an urgent priority. ”
“Whether this motion passes or falls, I will continue to look over all options and work with campaigners, other local authorities and the APF to do whatever we can to make sure our investments are aligned with our values and in solidarity with the people of Gaza .”
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