At a meeting of South Lanarkshire Council today, the Provost Margaret Cooper blocked an emergency motion from the SNP Group on the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The SNP motion would have condemned Hamas and called for a release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire in the region. It noted the right of Israel, in common with all, to protect itself from terror but called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor. It further called for increased aid to be committed to Gaza and for the UK Government to offer sanctuary and support to Palestinian refugees via the UNHCR Resettlement Scheme.
The Provost, who is a member of the Labour-led Administration, rejected the SNP request for urgent business and instead made her own statement and called a minute’s silence.
Commenting, a spokesperson for the SNP Group said:
“It is disappointing the Margaret Cooper felt a few words and a moment’s silence was enough. This is not a time to be silent. Saying nothing is a political statement in and of itself.
“The rejected SNP motion offered an unequivocal backing of calls to secure safe passage for humanitarian aid and resettlement for those fleeing this conflict. The Council have today missed the opportunity to send out a clear message that South Lanarkshire stands with the victims of war and is ready to welcome them.
“Our sympathies are with all South Lanarkshire residents and their family affected by the conflict in Israel-Palestine, including South Lanarkshire’s sizable Muslim and Jewish communities.
The Motion would have read:
Emergency motion by Councillor Andrea Cowan, seconded by Councillor Cal Johnston-Dempsey
Council unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas, calls for the unconditional release of all hostages and recognises the rights of Israel, in common with all, to protect itself from terror. Council shares the sorrow and outrage of South Lanarkshire’s Jewish community.
Council recognises that a humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza and agrees with the Secretary of the United Nations comments on Saturday 21st October when he called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and demanded “action to end this godawful nightmare”.
Council further recognises that civilians can only evacuate if there is an open border crossing to allow them to leave safely without the risk of being caught up in military attacks; further recognises that many people, including the very young, very old and the infirm, cannot leave. Council supports calls for a humanitarian corridor protected by a ceasefire, to allow people to leave and civilian supplies, including food, water and medical supplies to reach those who cannot leave.
Council also believes international law must be respected, rejects collective punishment, believes that innocent people must not pay the price for the actions of Hamas and is appalled by the escalating civilian death toll in Gaza.
Council recognises that many families and communities in South Lanarkshire are affected by violence in the region, offers condolences to all those who have suffered as a result of this horrific conflict; and resolves to be alert to, and to stand up against, discrimination and hate crime, and resolves that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia or hatred of any kind in our communities.
Council repeats calls from the Scottish Government asking the UK Government to use the already established UK Resettlement Scheme, which works with the UN High Commission for Refugees, to allow a route to safety for the most vulnerable such as children and families, those with severe health needs, and those with links to residents in Scotland.
Council also calls on the UK Government to support an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian corridor, to commit supplies and aid to mitigate the human tragedy unfolding in Gaza and to be prepared to offer sanctuary and support to Palestinian refugees.
Cllr Cal Johnston-Dempsey 