‘They came out in support for Ukraine but not Palestine’: Protesters condemn council’s ‘silence’ on Gaza

Protesters gathered outside Lambeth town hall on Monday evening after the council “refused” to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Faraz Hassan, 35, from Streatham, joined a crowd of residents and trade unionists who gathered outside the town hall in Brixton Road, Brixton, as councillors held a meeting to discuss the council’s commitment to make Lambeth “a borough of justice and equality”.

He said: “It was a great turnout. We had a range of speakers from all different backgrounds – trade unions, a black workers group, Jews for justice, and I am a Muslim – it was a great representation of Lambeth’s diversity.”

Mr Hassan created a change.org petition last month, calling on the council to support a ceasefire.

The petition – which has gathered 1,849 signatures so far – demands Lambeth write to the UK Government and Labour Party leadership to condemn the bombing of Palestine.

Lambeth council has since said it “backs calls for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible to protect all life.”

Mr Hassan discussing his petition in front of Lambeth Town Hall on Monday night (Picture: Faraz Hassan)

Earlier this week, Mr Hassan requested to make a representation at the Monday night meeting to discuss the situation in Palestine, but the request and following appeal were rejected.

He said: “They said it wasn’t related and that the council does not get involved in international affairs.

“The fact the council came out in support for Ukraine and not Palestine sends a message that one life is more important than the other.

“It undermines our confidence in them to represent us equally even on a local level.”

Calls for a ceasefire have been echoing across the world as Gaza continues to be devastated after 10 weeks of bombing – triggered by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which killed at least 1,200 people and saw about 240 taken hostage.

Since then, more than 19,400 people have been killed in Gaza, about 70 per cent of them women and children, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

Mr Hassan said: “The protests have been effective and they have been working.

“There is a slow but steady shift towards recognising that the situation is out of hand and casualties are unacceptable.

“These protests are a place that can embolden people who are worried about speaking out or scared of the backlash – they feel like a safe space.

“What is happening is a historic case of genocide and it’s important that a council uses its influence – as it did in the past with Ukraine – to call for an end to this.”

Mr Hassan’s petition calling for the council to demand a ceasefire can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/lambeth-council-must-call-for-a-permanent-ceasefire-in-gaza-now

A Lambeth council spokesman said: “Lambeth council actively promotes peace and harmony between all faiths and communities in our diverse borough, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the horrific violence in the Middle East.

“We back calls for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible to protect all life. The cabinet meeting on Monday night discussed the council’s finances and performance.”

Pictured top: Protestors gather outside Lambeth Town hall on Monday night (Picture: @LambethSolidarity)