Anti-Israel motion fails in Northern Beaches

An anti-Israel motion about the conflict in Gaza, penned by Greens councillor Ethan Hrnjak, failed to pass at a June 17 Northern Beaches Council meeting, in which the city’s mayor, Sue Heins, described the motion’s nature and timing as “abhorrent”.

Elements of the five-point motion, seconded by Cr Miranda Korzy, included that the council supports “an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza (Palestine)”, without including any preconditions, such as the release of all hostages, or the disarmament of Hamas.

The motion also expressed support for “work and advocacy” done by the Northern Beaches Committee for Palestine, and that the council, through its procurement program, “satisfy itself that it does not conduct business with companies listed by the United Nations as complicit in human rights violations in Gaza”.

The motion was lost when it only received 4 votes out of 15 in favour.
There were 3 votes against, and 8 abstentions.

After the decision, there was a round of applause from people in the public gallery.