Bayside councillor urges Albanese government to back ceasefire

A south Sydney councillor wants the federal government to urge for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in the Hamas and Israeli conflict.

Members of the Australian Palestinian community holding flags and placards during a protest at the Port Botany terminal in Sydney on November 21. Picture: David Gray/AFP

A south east Sydney councillor has taken a strong stance on the Hamas and Israeli conflict and called for a truce.

Greens councillor Greta Werner has asked Bayside Council to call on the Australian Government to urge for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in the Middle East.

Cr Werner has written a notice of motion which will be debated at the council meeting on Wednesday night.

She wants the council to advocate for the government to work with the international community to end the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza and to restore access to food, electricity, water, fuel and medicine for about two million Palestinian civilians.

Cr Werner also requests council write to foreign minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to notify them of the motion and to express the council’s support for peace in the region.

Palestinian citizens evacuate their homes damaged by Israeli air strikes on October 10, 2023 in Gaza City. Picture: Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images

“Like most in our community I’ve been horrified by the images and stories of death and destruction from the Middle East, and want to do what I can to support all those who are affected,” she said.

“I was approached a few weeks ago by community group representatives to submit a motion calling for a ceasefire.”

On October 14, a UN human rights expert warned that Palestinians were in grave danger of mass ethnic cleansing and called on the international community to urgently mediate a ceasefire between warring Hamas and Israeli occupation forces.

Cr Werner she said there was a chorus of global voices calling for a lasting ceasefire.

“Every voice counts. As a close ally of the US, Australia arguably has more influence than many other nations,” she said.

“We can use that influence to call for a ceasefire. Too many innocent civilians and children have lost their lives already.”

Cr Werner said the impact of the war was felt strongly in the Bayside community and she wanted to do what she could as a local councillor to take a strong stance on an international conflict.

Families of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip protest outside the ministry of defence in Tel Aviv. Picture: Ahmad Gharabli/AFP

“This conflict is causing pain and distress in the middle east, across the globe, and in our local communities, especially those with family and friends in the Middle East,” she said.

“Many Bayside residents are connected to communities in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon.

“I need to do what I can to support them. Local councils do have influence with other levels of government.

“Emotions are raw; people are angry and frustrated. I feel bringing this motion for a ceasefire is the least I can do to help them feel heard and supported.”

Cr Werner’ calls come amid Israel has approved a deal to free 50 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and a truce on Wednesday afternoon.

It also comes after 23 people were arrested at a pro-Palestine protest at Port Botany on Tuesday night where close to 400 demonstrators assembled on Foreshore Rd chanting “free Palestine”, banging drums and waving Palestinian flags near the port’s loading dock.

This week Palestine supporters gathered outside the Premier Chris Minns’ Kogarah office to protest on Monday afternoon where they waved Palestinian flags and placards which read ‘Your local MP stands with Israel, where will you stand at next election’.

Originally published as Bayside councillor urges Albanese government to back ceasefire