Agenda item

Notes that Council passed a notice of motion on 13 December 2023 recognising the importance of holding out a hand to those outwith our direct area.  It called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine/Israel, and for urgent humanitarian relief for the citizens of Gaza.

Since then, nine months have passed and tens of thousands more civilians have died.  In March 2024 the United Nations Special Rapporteur found that “There are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating the commission of the crime of genocide…has been met.” In July 2024, the prestigious medical journal The Lancet stated that “it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186,000  [7.9% of the total population in the Gaza strip] or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza”.  Later in July, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations' highest court, ruled that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful” and that Israel “is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible” and “is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

This Council reaffirms its place as part of the common family of humanity, and:

1.               Reiterates our call for a permanent ceasefire;

2.               Calls on the Lord Provost to fly the Palestinian Flag on 29 November 2024, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People;

3.               Follows Barcelona and other cities and instructs the Chief Officer - Governance to report to Council by the end of 2024 on any direct or indirect links that Aberdeen City Council have with the State of Israel, with a view to stopping these;

4.               Asks the North East Scotland Pension Fund to commission a study to identify any investments in companies that supply arms to Israel, as these investments may be at high risk due to the political instability;

5.               Recognises the UK Labour Government’s suspension of 30 licences for arms sales to Israel;

6.               Endorses the Scottish Government’s 2024 call for an arms embargo on Israel, and calls for the Scottish Government to act in all its available capacities to help prevent the production and transfer of weapons components for Israel from arms companies in Scotland; and

7.               Instructs the Chief Executive to write to other Scottish Local Authorities informing them of this motion, and encouraging them to take similar actions.

The Committee had before it a Notice of Motion from Councillor Watson, referred from Council on 11 October 2024, in the following terms:-

That the Council –

Notes that Council passed a notice of motion on 13 December 2023 recognising the importance of holding out a hand to those outwith our direct area. It called for an immediate ceasefire in Palestine/Israel, and for urgent humanitarian relief for the citizens of Gaza.

Since then, nine months have passed and tens of thousands more civilians have died. In March 2024 the United Nations Special Rapporteur found that “There are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating the commission of the crime of genocide…has been met.” In July 2024, the prestigious medical journal The Lancet stated that “it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186,000 [7.9% of the total population in the Gaza strip] or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza”. Later in July, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations' highest court, ruled that “Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful” and that Israel “is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible” and “is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory”.

This Council reaffirms its place as part of the common family of humanity, and:

1.    Reiterates our call for a permanent ceasefire;

2.    Calls on the Lord Provost to fly the Palestinian Flag on 29 November 2024, International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People;

3.    Follows Barcelona and other cities and instructs the Chief Officer - Governance to report to Council by the end of 2024 on any direct or indirect links that Aberdeen City Council have with the State of Israel, with a view to stopping these;

4.    Asks the North East Scotland Pension Fund to commission a study to identify any investments in companies that supply arms to Israel, as these investments may be at high risk due to the political instability;

5.    Recognises the UK Labour Government’s suspension of 30 licences for arms sales to Israel;

6.    Endorses the Scottish Government’s 2024 call for an arms embargo on Israel, and calls for the Scottish Government to act in all its available capacities to help prevent the production and transfer of weapons components for Israel from arms companies in Scotland; and

7.    Instructs the Chief Executive to write to other Scottish Local Authorities informing them of this motion, and encouraging them to take similar actions.

Councillor Watson spoke in support of his Notice of Motion and in accordance with Standing Order 12.16, amended his Notice of Motion with revised dates, namely that 29 November 2024 would change to 29 November 2025 and that point 3 be amended to as soon as possible. 

Councillor Watson moved, seconded by Councillor Malik:-

          That the Committee approve the Notice of Motion.

The Convener moved as an amendment, seconded by the Vice Convener:-

That the Committee -

(i)            note that this Council was proud of its first mission of serving local people, but also of its international solidarity in holding out a helping hand to those in need elsewhere, and hosting many refugees;

(ii)           note that the conflict in the State of Palestine, the State of Israel and the Republic of Lebanon had caused huge suffering and following the horrific acts of terror by Hamas on 7th October 2023, the escalation of violence in Gaza and Lebanon has led to the death and suffering of many civilians;

(iii)         note that Aberdeen City Council recognises the need for justice to underly a sustainable peace, and the internationally accepted need for a two-state solution to be implemented. All human lives should be valued equally, and human rights respected for all; and

(iv)         call for an immediate cessation of all hostilities in the State of Palestine, State of Israel and Republic of Lebanon, the immediate release of hostages, and for international support for huge and urgent UN-led humanitarian relief for citizens of Gaza.

On a division, there voted – for the motion (2) – Councillors Graham and Malik – for the amendment (6) – the Convener, the Vice Convener and Councillors Delaney, Davidson, Kusznir and McLellan – declined to vote (1) – Councillor Mrs Stewart.

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the amendment.