Derry councillors set to vote on motion calling for an end to Israel's siege of Gaza

People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin will urge Derry and Strabane District Council to support a motion calling for a cessation of Israel's Gaza siege and the expulsion of Israeli ambassadors at its full meeting this afternoon.

Council will write to the Irish and British government to support the call for an immediate cessation of the bombardment and genocidal siege of Gaza; and for the immediate expulsion of Israeli ambassadors, if the motion is adopted.

People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said: "We need to do everything we can to stop Israel's genocidal siege of Gaza. We need to bring as much pressure on the British and US governments and the EU to stop Israel's assault. 

"The relentless Israeli bombardment has killed thousands of civilians, including 2,360 children. This is a war crime. 

"The denial of food, water, medical supplies, electricity and fuel to Gaza's population of 2.3 million people is collective punishment and a war crime. 

"The displacement of over one million people in Gaza and the IDF order to evacuate to the southern part of the strip is a war crime. 

"Derry and Strabane Council supports the struggle of the Palestinian people for freedom and backs the boycott, sanctions divestment campaign. We must reaffirm our support for both and for an end to apartheid.

"Israel's apartheid system, ethnic cleansing, illegal settlement building in the West Bank and its two decade long suffocation of Gaza are the root causes of the violence and death we are witnessing. 

"Apartheid must end to create the possibility of a pathway to peace for Muslims Jews, Christians and all who live there. 

"Those supporting Israeli apartheid are preventing the possibility of peace from ever emerging."