Agenda item

12.1

The Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement presented a report considering a series of actions to be undertaken by Sheffield City Council responding to concerns expressed by local people in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian situation that continues to unfold.  It also responds to a recent Full Council motion, which amongst other things, called for the Strategy and Resources Committee to consider whether Sheffield City Council should join the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(i) notes that the aims of the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid are ones that Sheffield City Council may not lawfully implement, and therefore to note that the Council cannot join the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid;

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(ii) notes the concern of many people in Sheffield about the loss of civilian life in Israel and Palestine, to note the actions of many people in Sheffield who have campaigned against the ongoing violence, particularly in Gaza, and those who have fundraised to support the victims of the conflict, and to note the options available for Sheffield people to donate to the humanitarian response should they so wish;

(iii) notes that Sheffield City Council does not have any contractual relationship with any of the companies named in the UN Human Rights Council as enabling or supporting the construction or continued existence of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to note that the Council will always procure services in line with its Ethical Procurement Policy; and

(iv) notes Sheffield City Council’s continued recognition of the State of Palestine as a full, sovereign, and independent nation, as set out in the resolution of Full Council on 4 September 2019.

(NOTE: The result of the vote on resolution (i) was FOR - 11 Members; AGAINST - 2 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members. 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

By adopting the recommendations, the Council will demonstrate how it is responding to the concerns raised about the ongoing conflict in Gaza by many in the city, whilst ensuring that it acts in accordance with the legal framework laid down by Parliament.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The only alternative option considered was to join the Sheffield Coalition against Israeli Apartheid.  As discussed in the body of the report, this option was likely to be unlawful and, as such, was discounted.

12.1

The Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement presented a report considering a series of actions to be undertaken by Sheffield City Council responding to concerns expressed by local people in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the humanitarian situation that continues to unfold.  It also responds to a recent Full Council motion, which amongst other things, called for the Strategy and Resources Committee to consider whether Sheffield City Council should join the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(i) notes that the aims of the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid are ones that Sheffield City Council may not lawfully implement, and therefore to note that the Council cannot join the Sheffield Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid;

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(ii) notes the concern of many people in Sheffield about the loss of civilian life in Israel and Palestine, to note the actions of many people in Sheffield who have campaigned against the ongoing violence, particularly in Gaza, and those who have fundraised to support the victims of the conflict, and to note the options available for Sheffield people to donate to the humanitarian response should they so wish;

(iii) notes that Sheffield City Council does not have any contractual relationship with any of the companies named in the UN Human Rights Council as enabling or supporting the construction or continued existence of illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and to note that the Council will always procure services in line with its Ethical Procurement Policy; and

(iv) notes Sheffield City Council’s continued recognition of the State of Palestine as a full, sovereign, and independent nation, as set out in the resolution of Full Council on 4 September 2019.

(NOTE: The result of the vote on resolution (i) was FOR - 11 Members; AGAINST - 2 Members; ABSTENTIONS – 0 Members. 

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

By adopting the recommendations, the Council will demonstrate how it is responding to the concerns raised about the ongoing conflict in Gaza by many in the city, whilst ensuring that it acts in accordance with the legal framework laid down by Parliament.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The only alternative option considered was to join the Sheffield Coalition against Israeli Apartheid.  As discussed in the body of the report, this option was likely to be unlawful and, as such, was discounted.