Randwick Council to debate flying of Palestine flag in wake of escalation of conflict with Israel

Tensions connected to Israeli–Palestinian conflict continues to emanate in Sydney’s eastern suburbs with a decision to fly the Palestine flag next month causing a fissure in Randwick Council.

Randwick Council is holding an extraordinary meeting about whether or not it should fly a Palestine flag on November 29 - the United Nation’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Tensions connected to Israeli–Palestinian conflict continues to emanate in Sydney’s eastern suburbs with a decision to fly the Palestine flag next month causing a fissure in Randwick Council.

In June the council voted 10-5 in favour of flying the Palestine flag on November 29 – the date the United Nations marked as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The move came after the council decided to fly the Israeli flag on Yom Ha’atzmaut – the country’s independence day – on April 26.

However, an extraordinary meeting has been called to address a motion put forward by Liberal councillor Daniel Rosenfeld to scrap the gesture in the wake of the renewed conflict in the Middle East.

Mr Rosenfeld is calling for the Palestine flag not to be flown and for no other flags to be flown “from today onwards” in accordance with council’s flying of flags policy.

Liberal councillor Daniel Rosenfeld called for Randwick Council to cease flying flags.

The councillor is also seeking the chamber to hold a minute of silence for Israel.

“Myself and my four Liberal colleagues did not support this (vote in June), however, it had enough numbers to succeed,” Mr Rosenfeld told this publication.

“I will be moving a motion that the Palestinian flag not be raised given the horrific events of October 7 in Israel.

“Many Israelis continue to be under daily threat from Hamas. I am also moving that we hold a minute‘s silence in support of Israel and all the victims of these terrorist attacks.”

The extraordinary meeting falls 24 hours before the general meeting where Mr Rosenfeld’s Liberal ally Christie Hamilton has tabled a motion seeking for the council to condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel.

The motion calls for the council to “denounce the killing of civilians, the firing of rockets into cities and the taking of hostages”.

Greens councillor Kym Chapple tabled the successful motion to fly the Palestine flag.

“That Randwick Council extends its sympathy to the loved ones of those who had died,” the motion continues.

“Calls for the end of attacks and the immediate release of all hostages [and] recognised Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Greens councillor Kym Chapple put forward the successful motion to fly the Palestine flag and has expressed her disappointment at certain councillors looking to “recognise only some of the victims”.

“At a time when our community needs us to come together and prioritise peace and care for each other, it’s disappointing to see moves that seek to recognise only some of the victims,” Ms Chapple said.

“The death of a Palestinian child is surely as much of a tragedy as that of an Israeli child. Attempts that seek to only recognise the humanity of some of those involved devalue our common humanity.

“We will be seeking to make changes that reflect the whole situation, to focus on our shared humanity and the need for an end to the violence and bombing. I hope these receive the support of the council.

“The attack on civilians by Hamas was horrific and I join with my Greens colleagues in condemning it, and so too is the death of so many Palestinian civilians from Israeli bombs that fall from the sky on their homes.”

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