Palestine: BCP Council hopes for ceasefire with Israel

The authority has also voted to continue flying the UN flag outside the town hall in Bournemouth as a symbol of peace until a ceasefire is agreed. 

Protesters were heard chanting “ceasefire now” outside a full council meeting on Tuesday evening.

Cllr Joe Salmon said his call to condemn the war is “unashamedly pro-peace" while adding it is “shameful” the UK is one of few UN members not calling for an end to the violence.

Protesters in the Square last month (Image: NQ)

He said people will look at the “horrors” of the conflict and over time “begin to accept it as a grim reality of the world”. 

“Or alternatively, they will continue to decide that one side is the side of truth and justice and the other side is simply evil," he added.

“From that point on, all atrocities that are carried out, even those from the side that they believe are true and just, are the fault of the other side they label as evil. 

“Make no mistake, I know it will make me fairly unpopular and probably unelectable, but I will not make it easy for the council to adopt either one of those simplistic understandings of this conflict.” 

He added: “There is much more we need to do to help bring this horrific conflict to an end and we cannot shy away from the disgusting horrors in this terrible war.” 

Palestinians flee Gaza City to the southern Gaza Strip on Salah al-Din street in Bureij (AP)

His motion, which was approved, called for "an immediate further release of all hostages and an immediate ceasefire to allow more aid and the possibility of a peaceful resolution".

Poole Town councillor Mark Howell said: “If we have learned anything over the last century, it is that the promotion of ethnic, racial or religious division within states facilitates the rise to power of evil people.  

“We need more than a ceasefire.” 

Cllr Peter Cooper added: “Every time I watch the television, I tremble with anger and indignation in how in our silence there is a kind of tacit consent. 

“The last I heard on this conflict is that there are 10 bombs dropped on Gaza every hour and a child dies every four minutes. 

“The Isle of Wight is about the size of Gaza, so imagine there would be no rock off the coast of Southampton, no history, no memories, no cemeteries, no places of interest.” 

Damage after Israeli airstrikes at Jabaliya refugee camp on the outskirts of Gaza City (Abdul Qader Sabbah/AP Photo)

Meanwhile, Moordown's Green Party councillor, Kate Salmon, questioned why BCP Council should be debating a conflict in the Middle East. 

She said: “It has been raised about whether or not we should be debating it and whether this should be something we should concern ourselves with. 

“I’d like to point out that there is a community in BCP that feels very strongly about this issue and they are outside.” 

The council will now “stand ready to provide support and open our arms to innocent people displaced and affected by these events”.