Shouts of “shame on you” were heard in the council chamber after Bedford borough councillors voted to amend a motion on the Gaza-Israel conflict.
The original motion submitted by councillors Rahman and Foley during Wednesday’s (10 January) Full Council meeting asked the council to try to influence the actions taken by the Israeli government.
This included expressing support for divestment, boycotts and sanctions aimed at getting Israel to “end injustices that infringe international laws and Palestinian rights”.
When introducing the motion, councillor Ralley Rahman (Labour, Kingsbrook) said: “The actions of October 7 were dreadful, however as an elected representative in Bedford I need to challenge Bedford Borough Council to ensure that it is challenging both sides.
“As you will have seen from some of the gatherings outside Borough Hall this evening, residents of Bedford borough are greatly concerned about the situation in Gaza.
“We all want a ceasefire and we want it now. The killing of innocent people including many children and women needs to stop.
“This is what the motion is calling for and I sincerely hope that all of you would support this motion,” she said.
Cllr Graeme Coombes (Conservative, Wixams & Wilstead) said: “[This is] something in which Bedford Borough Council has no influence as community leaders.
“I’m sure we all want to see a solution to the ongoing conflict and a lasting peaceful settlement in the region. Who wouldn’t?”
Cllr Coombes put forward an amendment to delete the whole motion and replace it with a new one which included a call for safeguarding human rights, a sustainable ceasefire, an immediate release of all hostages, and a lasting peace through dialogue and negotiation.
The Labour Group leader, cllr Carl Meader (Kempston South) said his group is “open-minded” to most amendments, but this one was a “step too far” and Labour would be voting against it.
Cllr Ben Foley (Green, Greyfriars) said: “The Conservative amendment seems to pretend that there is an equivalence between Hamas and Israel.
“There was a despicable attack by Hamas that the motion from councillor Rahman and I genuinely, unreservedly, condemns.
“But there has also been a disproportionate massacre since then by the Israeli military.
“The Conservative amendment whitewashes those differences. This amendment purports to be neutral, it is not neutral. Please oppose the amendment.”
Councillor Coombes said: “I do not place an equivalence between Israel and Hamas, absolutely not.
“They are both very different organisations and I would not treat both of them equally, that is a fundamental misconception on your part.
“No reasonable person could object to what is in the amendment.
“There are more opinions than one on this particularly difficult and contentious subject. And it is beholding on us as community leaders to bring people together.
“I just don’t think it’s a matter of Bedford Borough Council, but I’m prepared to meet you halfway and that is what I’m trying to do with this amendment.
“Let’s put something no reasonable person could object to,” he said.
A majority of councillors voted in favour of the amendment.
by John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
