Fresh Gaza ceasefire motion set to go to Bolton Council

A fresh motion is set to go to Bolton Council calling for “urgent and meaningful action” on the crisis in Gaza.

The motion is set to be put by the Green Party’s Cllr Hanif Alli, of Halliwell, and calls on Bolton Council to urge the government to call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

It also calls for sanctions on Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich and for an immediate ban on all arms sales to Israel.

Cllr Alli said: “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands urgent and meaningful action. As a council representing a diverse and compassionate community, we cannot remain silent while innocent lives are lost and humanitarian aid is obstructed.”

Cllr Alli’s motion is seconded by independent Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth, who sits with him as part of the Communities First group on the council.

Since the eruption of the latest stage of the conflict in Gaza, the town has seen several large-scale protests in the town centre organised by the group Bolton4Palestine.

In November 2023 the council voted to approve a motion put by the then Halliwell Cllr Kevin Morris calling for an “immediate ceasefire.”

The motion passed after a large group of protesters gathered outside of the town hall. The latest motion is expected to be debated at a full meeting of Bolton Council at town hall on Wednesday, January 15th.

The motion will aim to draw attention to the Israeli parliament’s decision to ban the UN Relief and Works Agency from operating within Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank

It will call attention to UN statistics saying 70 per cent of those killed in Gaza are women and children and 80% of verified deaths occurred in Israeli attacks on residential buildings.

The motion will also highlight UN findings saying that children aged five to nine constitute the largest group of victims.

There is also expected to be a gathering of people outside the town hall that evening to make their feelings known.

Bolton Green Party chair Alan Johnson said: “This motion is a crucial step in standing up for justice and human rights. I urge everyone with a conscience to join us at a peaceful lobby outside Bolton Town Hall at 6.30pm on Wednesday, January 15, ahead of the full council meeting. 

Together, our voices can send a powerful message of solidarity and demand for action.”