We've set out our unequivocal position in response to the Hamas terror attacks on Israel and the resulting conflict in the region, through a cross-party council motion.
The motion, proposed by our Leader of the Council and seconded by his fellow group leaders at the authority’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday 22 November, saw councillors collectively condemning the Hamas massacre in Israel in October as well as calling for an end to terror.
The motion read: ‘The council notes and condemns the October Hamas massacre, calls for an end to terror, regrets all loss of innocent life and supports all genuine moves towards peace that recognise Israel’s legitimate right to self-defence. The council further notes and endorses its community-focused response to these events and thanks officers for their work in facilitating this process’.
Cllr Jeremy Newmark, Leader of the Council, said: “We were united as a collective group in condemning the Hamas terror attacks in Israel on 7 October and in calling for an end to terror and the release of all the hostages, including Mia Schem from Borehamwood’s twin town of Shoham in central Israel.”
“As a community we’ve also shown clear support over recent weeks for those innocent Palestinians trapped in Gaza and for the wider Muslim community, which is integral to our diverse demographic in Hertsmere. I am very proud of the council’s response to these appalling events and grateful to our staff who have worked so hard to support cohesion in our local communities, with tremendous co-operation from faith and community leaders.”
Cllr Paul Richards, Deputy Leader of the Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, who seconded the motion along with the Leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Morris Bright MBE, added: “We’re home to one of the UK’s largest Jewish communities and we know at first hand the fear that has been created by these events across the world, including here in our borough. We considered it important that we set out our clear position on events at our Full Council meeting.”
Cllr Morris Bright MBE, Leader of the Conservative group, added: “Through both this motion and our response to these atrocities locally, we’ve been sensitive to the very wide-ranging concerns of our communities and the need to foster positive relations and bring people together. Our already well-established networks and close on-going co-operation of a whole host of partner agencies and community groups placed us in a strong position to engender community cohesion in response to these shocking events.”
Posted on Thursday 23rd November 2023