GREENS URGE SUPPORT FOR LETTER TO PM ON GAZA
At LAST NIGHT’S Full Council, Green Council Leader Julia Hilton read out a letter to Prime Minister Kier Starmer addressing the crisis in Gaza, Palestine, Israel and Lebanon.
The letter – which has so far been agreed by the Labour group leader and the Mayor – calls for a multilateral ceasefire, an end to arms exports and the upholding of international law. The full letter reads:
“Dear Prime Minister,
We are writing this letter to you today as leaders of the political groups on Hastings Borough Council representing our community deeply committed to justice, peace, and human dignity. The escalating crisis in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza, Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon, demands our immediate and unwavering attention. The events following the horrific attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, have led to unprecedented devastation. In Gaza, the situation has deteriorated alarmingly.
In Hastings, we feel this tragedy acutely. Our town is home to diverse communities, including those with ties to the Middle East, as well as British Jewish and Muslim residents. The conflict’s reverberations are felt here, and we must ensure it does not sow division among us.
Our connection to the region is profound. For over three years, Hastings has nurtured a friendship link with the community of Al-Mawasi in Gaza. This relationship has facilitated cultural exchange and provided much-needed humanitarian aid. In the wake of the recent bombings, our commitment to Al-Mawasi has only deepened, as we strive to support our friends in their time of need.
Prime Minister, we call upon your government to take decisive action:
1. Pursue Peace: Advocate for a multilateral ceasefire to halt the bloodshed and establish a foundation for lasting peace in the region.
2. Humanitarian Aid, Not Arms: Cease arms exports to any party involved in the conflict and prioritise humanitarian assistance to alleviate suffering.
3. Uphold International Law: Utilise all diplomatic and legal measures to ensure accountability for violations of international law and to defend the principles of justice.
4. Support Local and Global Connections: Recognise and promote initiatives like Friendship links as powerful tools for fostering empathy, understanding, and tangible aid to those in need.
Hastings is a small town with a big heart. Through the friendship shared between our community groups and Al-Mawasi, we have demonstrated the power of community solidarity. However, meaningful, lasting change requires leadership at national and international levels.
Prime Minister, we urge you to demonstrate that leadership. Britain must stand firmly on the side of humanity, justice, and peace, offering hope to the people of Gaza and beyond. Let our community in Hastings inspire the nation to build bridges, not walls, and to seek unity where there is division.
Thank you.”
Cllr Hilton said, “I hope all group leaders will join me in signing this letter.”
Last week, Green MPs wrote to foreign secretary David Lammy, urging him to clarify the UK government’s position on the risk of genocide in Gaza and what might trigger the UK’s obligation to take action to prevent genocide.