Reading councillors have welcomed the recognition of Palestine as a state and a roadmap to peace.
However, they stopped short of declaring the Israel-Palestine war a genocide and urging for divestment from Israeli companies.
Liz Terry, the leader of Reading Borough Council, introduced a motion at the latest full meeting welcoming the Labour government’s recognition of Palestinian statehood.
The motion involved actions that included writing to Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP, welcoming this recognition of statehood and a peaceful two-state solution.
Cllr Terry (Labour, Coley) made a series of late adjustments acknowledging the release of hostages taken by the Islamic terror group Hamas as part of a negotiated peace plan that began on Monday, October 13.
She said: “We have seen that the situation regarding Gaza has changed, whilst still wishing to welcome the government’s recognition of Palestine as an independent state, it is right to alter the motion to also welcome the release of hostages, the resumption of aid delivery, and the developing plan for peace in Israel and Palestine.
“In moving this altered motion, it does not mean that we should not condemn the horrific attack on October 7, 2023, which saw so many killed and taken hostage, or not acknowledge that the relentless bombardment of Gaza, the starvation and killing of tens of thousands of Palestinian people, including as they try to collect food and water, has not been intolerable.
“But to recognise that there is now more hope, that the death and destruction that has horrified us all might possibly be at an end, I hope indefinitely.
She also added that Reading is a welcoming and tolerant town, and that councillors should do all they can to preserve it.
Cllr McElroy (Green, Redlands) said: “Jewish and Muslim Greens, indeed Greens of all faith and none, agreed that we oppose any efforts to exploit the ongoing tragedy in Israel-Palestine to foster division, intensify antisemitism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism.
“The violence spilling out onto our streets, with particular reference to attacks on synagogues and mosques, is a shame to us all.”
He then introduced an amended motion calling on the council to recognise the ‘genocide’ in Gaza, acknowledge the government has been complicit and asked for the Berkshire Pension Fund to divest from companies used by the Israeli Defence Forces.
These amendments were seconded by cllr Anne Thompson (Liberal Democrats, Tilehurst).
She said: “We have to take action. We need consistency between our words and actions, if we advocate for a two-state solution, but this means looking at what is going on, and recognising a genocide has been committed.”
Cllr Terry replied that her motion carried the broadest views and most support of councillors and the public.
Cllr Sarah Hacker (Independent, Battle) said: “The original motion doesn’t go far enough
“The killing hasn’t ended despite talk of a ceasefire.”
In a recorded vote on the amendment, Greens, Lib Dems and cllr Hacker voted for it, with Labour and Conservative councillors voting against it, meaning the amendment failed.
Cllr Raj Singh (Conservative, Kentwood) said: “I’ve been listening very carefully, let us all remember where we are. This is not the United Nations building, this is the Reading Borough Council chambers.
“Foreign policy belongs to Parliament, not to local councils.
“We are local councillors, not foreign ministers. We are here to fix roads, not rewrite borders. We are here to serve Reading — not Ramallah.”
He then quipped that cllr Terry could write to Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy via Whatsapp.
Her motion was carried at the meeting yesterday (October 14).
