Stockport Councillors unanimously passed a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza during a full council meeting on Thursday 11 January. 

The motion proposes that the council's party leaders write to Foreign Secretary David Cameron, calling both for a ceasefire and for humanitarian law and support to be upheld. 

With an emphasis on the locality, it also condemns increases in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic violence, proposes more interfaith work, and suggests providing support to anybody in the borough who is affected by the conflict. 

The motion was brought forward and seconded by Green Party councillors Gary Lawson and James Frizzell respectively. 

Green Party councillor Gary Lawson introduces the motion on Thursday 11 January (Image - Stockport Council)

Introducing the motion, Cllr Lawson said: "What difference our motion will make, we cannot know. But I could not live with my conscience if I remained silent when I could have spoken out and pleaded for the cause of peace. 

"As a council and as a borough, we do not bury our heads in the sand. [...] We must do what we can to help those who are suffering"

Cllr James Frizzell, seconding the motion, added: "We must be aware of the effect this conflict is having on people in Stockport. 

"Specifically, we must provide support to our residents who are suffering from attacks of an anti-Semitic or Islamophobic nature."

Many councillors from across parties also commented on the motion.

Cllr Dena Ryness said: "As soon as we stop seeing all people as human beings, we have lost our humanity. [...]

"Any ceasefire has to be bilateral, and result in a long-lasting permanent peace. For me, that means a two-state solution. [...]

"We have to understand that there is no way that rape and sexual assault, murder and abduction, can be a tool of liberation."

A number of councillors from across parties spoke on the motion, including Cllr Dena Ryness, who condemned the sexual violence seen in the conflict (Image - Stockport Council)

Cllr Mark Hunter, the leader of Stockport Council, also commented: "I am acutely conscious that this is a very sensitive and important issue. I know the rest of the world isn't waiting with baited breath to hear Stockport Council's views on the Middle East conflict and how we resolve it. 

"But, that said, my party does have a clear, well-established position [...] we are unequivocally, as a party, in favour of the two-state solution. [...]

"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all of those killed and injured in this tragic conflict - whoever they are, and wherever they are from. 

"Some years ago, I had the opportunity of visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories as part of a fact-finding visit [...] I returned believing the situation was even worse than I'd thought. [...]

"Let us hope that despite all the evidence to the contrary, a way forward can be found - that international pressure will ultimately bring about a sustainable ceasefire - and that all peoples of Israel and the Palestinian territories can live in peace side by side."

You can view the full council discussion HERE, beginning from the timestamp 2:23:54.

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