Southwark Liberal Democrats Call for Cross-Party Action on Genocide in Gaza

Southwark Liberal Democrats have written to the Leader of the Council proposing a cross-party motion that would condemn the Israeli Government’s actions in Gaza as a genocide, and call for action at a local, national, and international level. 

This comes after the Liberal Democrats were the first political party on the council in Southwark to call for divestment of the council’s pension funds – with the council announcing shortly afterwards that it would take steps to remove companies complicit in the occupation of Palestinian territories and other human rights abuses.  

The Liberal Democrats’ proposal would condemn the genocide in the strongest possible terms, and commit the council to exploring further avenues for divestment beyond its original commitment, and call on the government and international community to sanction Benjamin Netanyahu, and end arms sales to Israel. The motion would also call for an immediate ceasefire, and a release of all the hostages currently held by Hamas.  

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:  

“We welcome the council’s decision to divest pension funds, following our calls to do so. But much stronger action and solidarity is still needed. 

We need to call out what’s happening in Gaza for what it is – it is a genocide. Now more than ever, the council must make that statement on a cross-party basis, take the actions available to us locally, and press the Government to secure a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a lasting peace through a two-state solution.”