8,000 call for Gaza peace

CIVIC, faith and community leaders descended on 10 Downing Street to deliver a petition calling for peace in Gaza.

The petition, signed by 8,303 Oldhamers, calls for an end to all hostilities and the recall of Parliament so the crisis can be discussed and humanitarian aid agreed.

The document, which could be signed via the council website and at sites across the borough, stated: “We, the people of Oldham, call upon the United Kingdom Government and the European Union to act now to protect civilians on all sides and stop the suffering in Gaza.”

Politicians are urged to use their influence to stop the killing, save lives and deliver peace and prosperity for the people of Palestine and Israel.

Supporting

Councillor Arooj Shah, deputy cabinet member for policy and communications, led the delegation.

She said: “Oldham has a history of supporting innocent civilians who are suffering through war and conflict and I am proud that hundreds of people from across the borough have pledged their support by signing this petition.

“They are telling the Government we want an immediate end to the violence in Gaza and that we want our politicians to use their influence to do all that they can to make this happen. This is a view shared by communities across Oldham, irrespective of ethnicity or faith.

“Hundreds of men, women and children have already lost their lives and this has to stop immediately.”

An event to discuss the conflict and how local people can make a difference is also planned before the end of September.

The delegation was made up of MPs Debbie Abrahams and Michael Meacher, Councillors Arooj Shah and Fazlul Haque, Oldham Race Equality Partnership member Tariq Rafique, Oldham Interfaith Forum members the Rev Jean Hurlston and Howard Sutcliffe, and resident Jahangir Khan.

Mrs Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, has also written to Ed Miliband informing him of the petition and asking him to push for a recall.

She said: “I made the suggestion that Oldham’s petition should call on Parliament to be recalled to debate what’s happening in Gaza because I’m absolutely horrified by what can only be described as the slaughter of Palestinian people, including innocent children.

Pressure

“We must keep the pressure up for an immediate, and meaningful, ceasefire that stops the disproportionate and indiscriminate attacks by the Israeli Government on defenceless civilians.

“MPs have not had an opportunity to debate this issue other than to ask a question when there’s been a Statement on Gaza. This is unsatisfactory and undemocratic.

Mrs Abrahams, who visited the West Bank in 2012 following the previous onslaught, added: “If there is to be a sustainable peace across Israel and Palestine, and ultimately the region as a whole, then we need to make sure that the issue around blockades, settlements, and access to justice for everyone is pursued vigorously.”