News / Politics
Thousands demand council calls for ceasefire in Israel-Gaza war
Thousands of petitioners have demanded Bristol councillors add their voices to a call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
A petition will be debated on Tuesday in City Hall which asks councillors to light up the building in Palestinian colours in a bid to “express sympathy”.
It has been three months since Hamas’ October 7 attack into southern Israel killed around 1,200 people, and some 240 others were taken hostage.
is needed now More than ever
Since then Israel’s air, ground and sea assault in Gaza has killed more than 22,300 people, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory.
Zoe Goodman recently resigned from her post as Labour councillor for Filwood over her party’s Palestine policy – photo: Rob Browne
Now Bristol City Council could add its collective voice to calls for an immediate ceasefire.
The petition was organised by the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and has received over 5,000 signatures.
Last month the foreign secretary, Lord David Cameron, called for a “sustainable ceasefire” in the conflict, after weeks of protests across the country, including in Bristol.
Filwood Councillor Zoe Goodman also resigned from Labour, protesting her party’s controversial stance on the war.
A vigil in St Werburgh’s in December was one of dozens of protests staged in Bristol over the conflict – photo: Betty Woolerton
The petition states: “Palestinians should not be facing collective punishment. No nation, no people or community should have to endure collective punishment. This has included the blockade of electricity, food, water and fuel, and the forced displacement of civilians.
“These actions constitute war crimes and we must not stand by and let it happen.
“The innocent civilians in Gaza have had nothing to do with this crisis and bear no responsibility for its outcome.
“Leaders across all faiths, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, have called for a ceasefire and polling shows over three quarters of the British public support a ceasefire.
“We call for a just political settlement and we ask Bristol’s political representatives to add their voices to this call.”
In October City Hall was lit up in the blue and white colours of the Israeli flag, to show solidarity after the Hamas attacks.
The council has not yet done the same for the Palestinian flag — although protesters did so themselves on December 12, during a full council meeting.
Main photo: Rob Browne
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