The Green Party in Brighton & Hove are calling on the council to offer more support to those affected by violent events in Israel and in Palestine, ahead of a meeting of all councillors next week.
In a series of proposals, Greens say councillors of all parties can and must come together to reassure residents that antisemitism and Islamophobia will not be tolerated, calling on the council to do more to publicise contact details of organisations that can help individuals to report hate.
Greens also want to see the Council take action to lobby government, urging safe routes of passage for all those fleeing violence in Israel and in Palestine, to support the release of all hostages and join calls for a permanent ceasefire so no more lives are lost.
Green Councillor Chloë Goldsmith, who will propose the notice of motion on behalf of the Green Group on Thursday, December 14, commented: “Our thoughts are with the thousands of innocent people affected by devastating violence in Israel and in Palestine.
“My colleagues and I have been deeply disturbed by the increase in reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia, racism and prejudice. Hate has no place in our city and will only divide us.
“We believe the Council can do more to reassure residents that they have a right to feel safe in our city. There are organisations that can support residents dealing with hate crimes and their good work should be publicised. We are calling on the Council to reach out to our communities with this information, and send a message of solidarity and peace as it has done many times in the past, in liaison with the city’s One Voice partnership of Interfaith groups and organisations fighting discrimination and prejudice.
“Our city has always been proud to be a City of Sanctuary to all those facing hatred, terrorism, war and displacement. We must never fail to raise our voices in defence of these values. That is why we are also asking that Brighton & Hove City Council lobbies government on the vital issues of safe routes of passage for refugees, for the release of all hostages and to join international calls for a permanent ceasefire, so no more lives are lost.”
Councillors of all parties and none will be asked to cast a vote on the proposals at a meeting of Full Council, Thursday, December 14.
