Agenda and minutes

The Deputy Chief Executive read the summons convening the meeting.

            Apologies were reported on behalf of The High Sheriff (Councillor McAteer); Aldermen Copeland and Rodgers; and Councillors Abernethy, Bell, Bower, T. Brooks, Cobain, Hanvey, Long, Maghie, McDonough-Brown, Murray and Nelson. 

No declarations of interest were reported.

“Council notes with deep concern the ongoing hunger strike of 6 Palestine solidarity activists in Britain.
 
Two of these activists, Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, are on their 51st day of hunger strike and are consequently in critical condition. 
 
Council calls on the British government to immediately allow medical access to all of the activists, to end the censorship of their communication from inside prison and, to enter negotiations in earnest to ensure the hunger strike can come to an end before lives are lost.  
 
Council further calls on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to intervene in their official capacity to relay these demands to the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Council, and the sizeable Palestinian community for whom Belfast is home.”

Moved by Councillor Collins

Seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin

In accordance with the notice on the agenda, Councillor Collins proposed:

“This Council notes with deep concern the ongoing hunger strike of 6 Palestine solidarity activists in Britain. Two of these activists, Qesser Zuhrah and Amu Gib, are on their 51st day of hunger strike and are consequently in critical condition.

This Council calls on the British government to immediately allow medical access to all of the activists, to end the censorship of their communication from inside prison and, to enter negotiations in earnest to ensure the hunger strike can come to an end before lives are lost.

This Council further calls on the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to intervene in their official capacity to relay these demands to the Prime Minister, on behalf of the Council, and the sizeable Palestinian community for whom Belfast is home.” 

            The motion was seconded by Councillor R. McLaughlin.

            On a recorded vote, twenty-eight Members voted for the proposal and thirteen against and it was declared carried.