Merri-bek councillors vote down proposals to reinstate Palestinian flag or fly peace flag at Coburg Town Hall

An inner-city mayor has put her foot down in rejecting a controversial motion to reinstate the Palestinian flag on a council building just weeks after it was removed.

Pro-Palestinian protesters marching through the streets of Merri-bek last year. Picture: Himangi Singh

An inner-city mayor has put her foot down and thrown out a controversial motion to reinstate the Palestinian flag at a council building just weeks after it was removed.

Merri-bek City councillors refused a motion on Wednesday night to fly the flag at the Coburg Town Hall until a “permanent ceasefire” was declared in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Council took the Palestinian flag down last month after the first phase of the ceasefire was announced.

Mayor Helen Davidson used her casting vote — an extra deciding vote given to the mayor — to defeat the motion — submitted by Socialist Alliance councillor Sue Bolton — after three councillors abstained from voting.

Ms Bolton was supported by councillors Adam Pulford, Ella Svensson, Liz Erwin and Jay Iwasaki while Ms Davidson and councillor Helen Politis voted against the motion.

The three remaining votes from Katerina Theodosis, Chris Miles and Nat Abboud were abstentions.

During the heated debate, Ms Politis put forward an alternative proposal to fly the International Peace Flag — a white flag featuring a dove and olive branch — instead.

But this motion was also voted down, meaning neither the Palestinian flag nor the peace flag will fly above Coburg Town Hall.

Merri-bek City Council mayor Helen Davidson made her casting vote against flying the Palestinian flag at Coburg town hall. Picture: Suppled/Facebook.

Mayor Davidson said it was not council’s role to provide commentary on international matters.

“Now’s the time to take a broader approach, one that reflects our commitment to peace and as a local council and show solidarity for all people, regardless of nationality or background,” she said.

“That’s why I’m supporting councilor Politis’ motion for council to stand for peace in Gaza and everywhere (with flying a peace flag).”

Mr Pulford, Mr Iwasaki and Ms Bolton spoke against the peace flag replacing the Palestian flag, claiming it was “meaningless” and ignoring the “genocide”.

Ms Davidson, Mr Miles and Ms Politis backed the peace flag motion while Mr Pulford, Ms Bolton, Ms Irvin, Mr Iwasaki voted against and Ms Abboud absented from voting.

Speaking to the Herald Sun earlier this week Ms Bolton said the council needed to abide by the “wording and the spirit” of the motion.

“Council took down the flag on the mention of a ceasefire … it’s important to put it back up until there is a permanent ceasefire, which hopefully will happen soon,” she said.

Ms Bolton said those who defended genocide were the “ones being divisive” and not the motion.

“We need to speak up against atrocities and it’s not divisive to speak up against atrocities like a genocide,” she said.

But Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said if councillors were to support the “reckless move” they would be choosing “division over unity”.

“Just when you thought the madness had peaked, Merri-bek Council is now teetering on the edge of yet another disgraceful decision,” he said.

“Instead of maintaining neutrality and fostering inclusivity, supporting this motion would send a loud and clear message that the council is taking sides in one of the most contentious global conflicts.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters at an event last year, marching to their local MP’s office. Picture: Himangi Singh

Mr Abramovich said by hoisting the Palestinian flag Merri-bek council would send a “dangerous and divisive message” that some members of the community are “more valued” than others.

“A council flagpole is not a billboard for international activism. It is not a platform to weigh in on global disputes,” he said.

“This is not the role of local government. Councils exist to serve everyone in their communities, not to push political agendas or alienate entire sections of the population.

“(If the flag is reinstated) it will make some residents, especially those of the Jewish community feel like strangers in their own city because when a council elevates one side of a complex international conflict, it abandons its duty to bring people together.”

The Palestinian flag was first raised at the Coburg town hall in November 2023 for six months before it was extended indefinitely, pending a permanent ceasefire.

Merri-bek councillor Sue Bolton has put forward the controversial motion. Picture: Himangi Singh

However, on January 19 this year — when the first phase of a ceasefire began — council replaced it with the pride flag.

Ms Bolton also proposed that once a ceasefire was achieved, the flag only be flown on Palestinian Independence Day (November 15) and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (November 29).

Council officers argued the removal of the flag was appropriate after a “permanent ceasefire [was] declared”.

“After considering the information available via official announcements, media, and other commentary, the administration has interpreted that (a permanent ceasefire is in place),” a council officer said.

“The three-stage ceasefire is reported by many parties as difficult and fragile.”

A media release issued by the council in January stated: “After 15 months of conflict and a catastrophic loss of civilian life, a ceasefire has been declared in Gaza … The ceasefire is now in place, so flag arrangements at Coburg Town Hall will revert to the usual community flag schedule.”

Council Watch president Dean Hurlston said flying the Palestinian flag was “not the majority of the community’s focus”.

“Council needs to focus on local issues and services delivery — not international issues,” he said.

The Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are on display at the town hall while a fourth flagpole rotates through community flags, including the pride flag.

Councillors will vote on the motion at the February meeting on Wednesday night.