THE Green Party in Worcester has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to 'Islamophobia', describing the situation as 'horrifying' and 'shameful'.

Worcester Green Party councillors and activists attended the Gaza ceasefire demonstration in Worcester High Street on Saturday (December 9).

Worcester News: VIEWS: Karen Lewing says the public expects city councillor to have a view on what is happening in Gaza VIEWS: Karen Lewing says the public expects city councillor to have a view on what is happening in Gaza (Image: Supplied)

Councillor Karen Lewing said: "I have spoken with residents who are horrified by the situation in Gaza. They expect councillors to take a view on it." 

Councillor Neil Laurenson proposed a ceasefire motion at the meeting of the full council on November 28, which was passed.

Cllr Laurenson said: ‘We need to put pressure on political leaders to do what they can to secure a permanent ceasefire.

"It’s shameful that the government and the majority of opposition MPs refuse to support a ceasefire.

"We will never bring about peace until we recognise the root cause of this tragic cycle of violence, which is the occupation of Palestine. 

The text of the motion passed by Worcester City Council is as follows the council 'deeply regrets and condemns the tragic loss of civilian life in both the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7 and the ensuing Israeli bombardment of Gaza'.

The motion also says the council 'condemns Islamophobia, antisemitism and all other forms of racism that are being propagated by those looking to divide our communities and who are seeking to dismantle any hope for a peaceful settlement'.

The motion also said that 'East Jerusalem, the West Bank, the Golan Heights and Gaza are illegally occupied by Israel; and that Gaza has been subject to 16 years of blockade'; that the Israeli government has been withholding essential resources from Gaza and what UN Experts have described as “destroying or damaging homes, hospitals, markets and UN Reliefs and Works Agency (UNRWA)” and that Amnesty International has “documented unlawful Israeli attacks, including indiscriminate attacks, which caused mass civilian casualties and must be investigated as war crimes”.

Worcester City Council therefore resolved to call upon the UK Government to call for an immediate ceasefire and to vote for this at the UN; to cease all arms sales to Israel and end military aid for Israel; and to call on Israel to resume negotiations with the Palestinians; request that the Chief Executive submits this motion to the UK Government; and request that the Communities Committee consider whether the Council should actively support the work of Worcester Palestine Friendship.