On Tuesday 7th November, exactly a month after the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel, which triggered the devastating Israel / Gaza conflict, Cllrs Ayoub Khan and Izzy Knowles brought a motion to full council proposing a humanitarian solution to the conflict, including support for refugees and for tolerance and understanding in our own communities.
The horrors and repercussions of this dispute have had a profound affect across both the Jewish and Muslim communities here in Birmingham. West Midlands Police, and organisations like the CST and Tell Mama have reported a rise in both anti Semitic and Islamophobic hate incidents.
You can see Izzy’s speech to council here
The motion had two amendments from the Labour group which we accepted. The amended motion was overwhelmingly voted in favour. It reads:
This council recognises that the horrors and repercussions of the conflict in Palestine and Israel have had a profound affect across all communities, but notably the Muslim and Jewish communities here in Birmingham.
West Midlands Police, and organisations like the CST and Tell Mama have reported a rise in both Islamophobic and antisemitic hate incidents.
In Birmingham, we have seen incidences of antisemitic and Islamophobic graffiti, with more than two hundred tags of a racist, offensive, antisemitic or Islamophobic nature reported and removed since October 7th. We must not allow the tragic events in the Middle East to divide our communities in the city, and we understand and feel the pain of all people in the city, especially the Muslim and Jewish communities.
This Council condemns those who have used this crisis to whip up hatred, sow division, and spread misinformation in our city.
This council acknowledges that it has a duty of care to the people of Birmingham, and must lead the way in promoting peace, tolerance and respect.
This Council notes:
- There is a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. It is likely that this will impact Gazans throughout 2023 and beyond.
- An immediate and sustainable ceasefire is needed, so that aid can get into Gaza, the hostages can be freed, and work can take place to deescalate this horrific conflict. Save the Children have highlighted that more children have been reported killed in this conflict than the annual number of children killed across the world’s conflicts zones since 2019. The international community has a responsibility to work towards a peace process and a two-state solution.
- It is unlikely that many Palestinians will be able to return home for a substantial time.
- With Birmingham having a proud status as a City of Sanctuary for people fleeing war torn countries and persecution. It is important that we in Birmingham, together with other communities in the UK, prepare to accommodate any refugees from this conflict that seek re-location.
- Building on the success of the Homes for the Ukraine Scheme, a similar package must be offered to refugees choosing to flee the conflict.
This Council therefore:
- Will write to the Government seeking the provision of a support package for refugees fleeing the conflict and provide further aid to assist the UN Agencies in their humanitarian work so that British citizens can get home safely, and Palestinian people are able to stay in their homeland.”.
- Will support the active engagement of the voluntary sector in delivering aid and support to refugees from the conflict.
- Will proactively engage with any Government schemes to house refugees from the conflict to ensure that all refugees are given a warm welcome in Birmingham.
- Calls on everyone in Birmingham to show tolerance and respect at this time of significant stress to many communities; especially those of the Muslim and Jewish faiths.
- Will work with faith communities to explore setting up more third-party hate crime reporting mechanisms and write to the Home Secretary to urge Government to reverse its decision to downgrade the monitoring of non-crime hate incidents specifically related to antisemitism and Islamophobia so they can be logged by the police.”
Liberal Democrats nationally have also called for an immediate bilateral ceasefire to get aid in, get the hostages out, and provide space to realise a political solution, ultimately with two states and a lasting peace.
Councillors Izzy Knowles, Philip Mills & Moseley Liberal Democrats 