“An Important Act of Solidarity” – Local Groups Welcome Green Led Gaza Motion 🕊

🕊 Green Leadership in Action 🕊

This motion reflects long-standing Green Party policy in support of peace, human rights, and international law. It was shaped through collaboration with local campaigners and brought forward by Hastings Green councillors determined to ensure the town stands up for justice.

Cllr Yunis Smith told the chamber:

“We are witnessing the next phase of ethnic cleansing. These are not humanitarian efforts. They are crimes against humanity in real time.”

The motion commits Hastings Borough Council to:

1. Call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the return of all hostages
2. Write to the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging an end to UK arms sales and a UN backed plan for humanitarian aid and reconstruction
3. Recognise and support the existing friendship link with Al Mawasi
4. Encourage councillors to work with local residents to organise cultural and educational exchanges with the people of Al Mawasi

These activities will be entirely self-funded with no cost to the council.

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🕊 Local Voices Welcome the Motion 🕊

The motion was warmly welcomed by local campaigners and community groups.

Hastings Friends of Al Mawasi

Since 2021, this grassroots group has led efforts to build links with the Palestinian coastal town of Al Mawasi. Their work includes raising funds for vital projects, supporting education and solar energy, and fostering cultural understanding between the two towns. The motion formally recognises their role and invites further collaboration.

“This friendship link is a small but meaningful gesture of solidarity. It connects our community directly to people living under siege, and helps Hastings act with compassion and conscience.”

Hastings and Rye Palestinian Solidarity Committee

The local solidarity group praised the Green Party for taking the lead and described the vote as a turning point for grassroots action.

“This motion affirms Hastings’ commitment to stand with the oppressed, to call for justice, and to resist the normalisation of genocide. We now call on the UK government to end its complicity in war crimes and act decisively in support of international law.”

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🕊 Jewish Residents Join Call for Justice

The motion was also welcomed by Hastings Jews for Justice, a local group of Jewish residents who were present in the chamber for the debate. They issued a statement describing the motion as:

“An important act of solidarity with a people who are being made to suffer in the most horrific ways imaginable.”

They added:

“We reject the idea, expressed by some during the debate, that standing up for people facing genocide is antisemitic. To equate Jewish identity with war crimes is false, and deeply antisemitic. Hastings has shown courage. This is not in our name.”

Their statement adds to the growing number of Jewish voices in the UK who are calling for peace and accountability, while making clear they do not speak for all.

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🕊 A Green Vision for a Just World

This motion is a clear example of Green values in action. While others hesitated, Hastings Green councillors spoke up. They led from the front and gave voice to the residents who have marched, vigiled, written letters, and sent aid to Gaza.

We are proud that it was Green councillors who made this motion happen. Proud that Hastings has become the first town in the UK to formally support a friendship with Gaza. And proud that we stood on the right side of history.

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#GreenValuesInAction #GreensLeadOnJustice
#CeasefireNow #HastingsForPalestine
#FriendshipNotOccupation #SolidarityWithAlMawasi
#NotInOurName #MotionPassed