Canterbury-Bankstown: Police called to council meeting after discussions on cutting ties with Israeli linked companies
An investigation is underway after police were called to a “heated” Canterbury-Bankstown council meeting following a “fruitless” move by council to investigate scrapping contracts with companies linked to Israel.
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An investigation is underway after police were called to a “heated” Canterbury-Bankstown council meeting following a “fruitless” move by council to investigate scrapping contracts with companies linked to Israel.
Labor councillor Chris Cahill tabled a motion at Tuesday’s council meeting calling for the CEO to undertake a review of council’s investments and links to suppliers “complicit in human rights violations on Palestinian people” – including the “illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories and the supply of weapons”.
The motion is in line with demands of the broader anti-Israel ‘boycott divestment and sanctions campaign’ (BDS) which has seen some institutions including universities commit to reviewing investments and supplier contracts linked to Israel.
Mr Cahill said the motion would highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and for council to “make a very clear statement to those who violate the human rights of others”.
“Our council has also been unequivocal in its support of a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages,” he said.
“BDS Australia is very much a part of the global campaign to end support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and put pressure on the Israeli Government to comply with international law.”
Police were called to the packed meeting – and remained outside the chambers – as Liberal councillor Charbel Abouraad proposed an amendment for council to consider the costs of the review and to write to the Foreign Minister and Attorney-General to seek legal and legislative advice.
He also requested a review to further investigate potential council-affiliated companies complicit in other human rights violations.
Liberal councillor Charbel Abouraad said the meeting became “heated” and there were “continuous interruptions from the gallery”.
“The motion as written was a fruitless exercise and would waste council’s time and resources,” he said.
Mr Abouraad said it was important council prioritised confirming the legality first to “ensure that ratepayers money was not wasted on something that would lead to nothing”.
“The amendment sought to confirm that the council had the legal powers to implement a policy, confirm what the financial implications would be and ensure that all companies involved in human rights violations were identified – all encompassing to include China, Russia, etc,” he said.
It is understood some councillors were allegedly threatened by attendees in the public gallery and were escorted to their vehicles after the council meeting ended.
NSW Police confirmed police were called following an incident at Bankstown Council Chambers about 6pm yesterday and no arrests have been made.
“An investigation is ongoing in relation to the conduct of some those in attendance in the public gallery”, a police spokeswoman said.
The amendment was lost and the original motion passed, with councillors Jessie Nguyen, Barbara Coorey, Charlie Ishac and Charbel Abouraad voting against the motion.
Councillors Karl Asfour, Chris Cahill, Rachelle Harika, Clare Raffan, Bilal El-Hayek, Linda Downey, David Walsh, Karl Saleh and Bhadra Waiba voted for the motion.
Councillors George Zakhia and Sazeda Akter were absent.
It comes after Canterbury-Bankstown became the first council to unanimously agree to throw their support behind people in Gaza and fly the Palestinian flag in October last year.
Canterbury-Bankstown council have been contacted for comment.
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