Carmarthenshire councillors back motion condemning “heinous mass slaughter” of innocent people in Israel and Gaza

A MOTION condemning the “heinous mass slaughter” of innocent people in Israel and the horrifying consequences of its military retaliation in Gaza has been backed by Carmarthenshire councillors.

It called on the international community to seek an immediate ceasefire, deliver the humanitarian response needed to safeguard innocent lives, and work with Israeli and Palestinian representatives to negotiate a permanent peace based on a two-state solution.

But one councillor, Giles Morgan, abstained as he felt it wouldn’t have any impact on Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or on Hamas, which claimed responsibility for the attack on Israel on October 7.

The motion, which also called for all hostages to be released, was brought by Independent councillor John James and Plaid Cymru councillor and cabinet member for rural affairs, community cohesion and planning, Cllr Ann Davies.

Cllr James said there had been promising signs when they submitted the motion as a temporary ceasefire had taken hold but that since then “bombs and bullets have once again taken over from diplomacy and hope”.

Cllr Davies said “people like you and me” going about their daily lives had been killed on October 7. The majority of people now being killed in Gaza, she said, were also “everyday people”. She added: “The photos and the footage we see on the television are horrifying.”

Labour councillors Gary Jones and Crish Davies then introduced an amended motion. The only addition was that it reaffirmed Israel’s and Palestine’s right to exist and said denying Israel’s right to exist was a form of anti-semitism. Cllrs James and Davies said they were happy to support the amended motion, and it was the amended one that received backing at the meeting of full council on December 6.

Independent councillor Giles Morgan said he would abstain, describing the motion as “politically supercharged”. He said he didn’t disagree with its sentiment but would rather back motions which could bring about change. “I don’t think Benjamin Netanyahu or Hamas are going to take any notice of Carmarthenshire County Council,” he said.

Council leader Darren Price said he didn’t think that supporting the motion would have a direct impact on what happened in the Middle East but that movements for change happened from the bottom up.

“It starts through the frustrations of people feel when they see what’s happening,” said the Plaid leader. “I think this is one instance of that happening now. It sickens us to the core, as humans, that we allow this to happen. I think there is a duty for us to speak with one voice.”

Cllr James agreed, saying said he felt it was important, as elected councillors, that this democratic right was exercised. He went on to say that the Jewish race had been persecuted for thousands of years, and that Israel had been right to stand up for itself. But the resulting loss of so many lives was, he said, becoming unbearable and risked wider escalation.

“It’s time to end this endless cycle of bloodshed, hatred and victimisation,” said Cllr James.