Three leaders on Lancaster City Council have signed a letter to the Prime Minister calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
Councillors Phillip Black, leader of Lancaster City Council and the Labour group, Councillor Caroline Jackson, the deputy council leader from the Greens, and Councillor Peter Jackson, Lib Dem leader, signed the letter which was sent to Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary David Cameron earlier this week.
It followed emotional scenes at a council meeting on December 13 when members of the public packed into the town hall to protest about the council's stance on a debate over the Gaza crisis.
Mark Davies, council chief executive, had ruled that a motion calling for Lancaster City Council - as a collective body - to write to the PM supporting a ceasefire, could not be discussed at the meeting, leading to emotions running high at Morecambe Town Hall.
Mr Davies said the motion was "primarily concerned with international affairs and in my opinion is not a local issue".
But following speeches from people asking for the council to reconsider, and angry shouts from the public gallery, Councillor Black said he would personally write to the Prime Minister, adding his voice to calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East.
The letter, signed by councillors Phillip Black, Caroline Jackson and Peter Jackson, said:
Dear Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary,
Call for ceasefire.
I am writing to you in my capacity as leader of Lancaster City Council, alongside leaders of other political parties in our administration, to urge you to use your international leadership to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank and in Israel by all sides, and the release of all hostages and detainees.
Many residents of our district are deeply affected by the horrendous violence in Israel and Gaza and upset by the scale of the violence and displacement of people from their homes in the region. Lancaster district’s politicians of different stripes, and the diverse communities we represent, deplore the loss of innocent life, especially children, and mourn the victims of terrorism and armed conflict.
As we call for a resolution to this conflict, we recognise that Israel suffered a terrible terrorist attack; the murderous actions of Hamas are entirely indefensible. However, Israel’s military response should not endanger civilians and must adhere to international law.
We also recognise that the Palestinian people are distinct from Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation. Civilians in Gaza must have access to humanitarian aid with reliable access to food, water, medicine, electricity, and fuel. Palestinians forced to flee must not be permanently displaced.
As with so many conflicts across the globe, we see that violence begets more violence. The UK must add its voice to those calling for the immediate release of all hostages and detainees, and for a ceasefire; that is, an end to military action from both Hamas and Israel.
We are seeing that this conflict is undermining community cohesion here in UK and we are saddened to hear of increasing numbers of hate crimes being reported.
Violence cannot end violence, we call on you to use your influence to call for an end to the conflict, and to advocate for a diplomatic solution that will enable Israelis and Palestinians to enjoy security, dignity, human rights, and a full life. There will not be a just and lasting peace until this happens.
Councillor Caroline Jackson said: “I fully support all of our residents in calling for peace, and was pleased to see residents in the public gallery of different faiths and backgrounds at the council meeting supporting this call for a ceasefire.
"We have witnessed members of our local communities working hard to stay together and find common ground: and it is clear that everyone wants an end to the violence in Gaza.
"Our letter asks our Government to advocate for a diplomatic solution that will enable Israelis and Palestinians to enjoy security, dignity, human rights, and a full life. There will not be a just and lasting peace until this happens.”
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