St Albans City & District Council has passed an emergency motion in relation to the Israel and Gaza conflict.

The local authority has encouraged good relations and continued communication between the city's communities and faiths, following a full council meeting last Wednesday (October 18).

The council has also recognised the anguish and grief of St Albans residents who have family, friends and loved ones caught up in the violence in both Israel and Gaza.

The motion stated: ’’This council is appalled by and condemns unreservedly the terrorist outrages perpetrated by Hamas on Israeli civilians in southern Israel earlier this month.

Herts Advertiser: Faith leaders gathered at St Albans Cathedral, in the hope of peace.Faith leaders gathered at St Albans Cathedral, in the hope of peace. (Image: Courtesy of Robert Voss CBE)

’’This council acknowledges Israel’s right acting within international law to prevent further such attacks.

’’This council deplores the mounting death toll in Gaza and condemns the cutting off by Israel of electricity, gas, water which impacts deeply upon the civilian population of Gaza, many of whom do not support Hamas.

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‘’This council urges the United Kingdom prime minister to seek international support for the United Nations to negotiate with all relevant parties to ensure:

  • A safe route for immediate humanitarian aid to civilians still living in Gaza.
  • The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
  • A ceasefire and the re-opening of negotiations thereafter to achieve a ‘two-state solution’ as the best hope of long term peace in the area, with a secure Israel free from terrorist threats and a viable, independent state of Palestine.

"The council also unanimously deplored the rise in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate crime in this country and has called upon the council leader to write to the Herts police and the police and crime commissioner to ask the latter to set out what steps he is taking to maintain community cohesion, and to ensure the safety of the Jewish and Muslim communities."

Herts Advertiser: Together we have demonstrated that the faiths are united in praying for peace in the region.”Together we have demonstrated that the faiths are united in praying for peace in the region.” (Image: Courtesy of Robert Voss CBE)

The day after the motion was passed (October 19), a Prayers for Peace event took place outside St Albans Cathedral.

Senior faith leaders gathered in the hope of an end to the conflict, and were joined by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss.

Herts Advertiser: HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss joined the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, in inviting faith leaders to the event.HM Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire Robert Voss joined the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith, in inviting faith leaders to the event. (Image: Courtesy of Robert Voss CBE)

Following the event, he said: "Together we have demonstrated that the faiths are united in praying for peace in the region.”