Civic leaders in Glasgow and Fife have been accused of the “worst kind of gesture politics”, for their show of solidarity with those affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Jewish leaders say it will only stir up tensions and cause “offence and division”.
As of today, the Palestinian flag will fly over Glasgow City Chambers.
Council leaders in Fife said they were running the flag up at Fife House in Glenrothes in order to add their voices “to the worldwide condemnation of the events currently taking place in Gaza”.
But critics have accused council leaders of failing to condemn the actions of Hamas, the Islamic terrorist group which rules Gaza.
Hamas, whose charter requires members to “fight the Jews and kill them until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees”, is accused of using citizens, including women and children, as human shields against Israeli retaliation to rocket attacks.
Glasgow Jewish Representative Council president Paul Morron said the move “does nothing to alleviate the suffering on either side of the conflict, nor does it bring peace closer by one single minute”.
He added: “The city council, as the host of the Games, should be emulating their spirit and bringing people together, not causing offence and division within their community.”
David Meikle, Conservative councillor for Glasgow’s Pollokshields area, said that if the council was interested in peace in Gaza, it would fly the Palestinian and Israeli flags side by side.
He added: “I also failed to see in the letter any condemnation of the Hamas terrorists who have declared war on Israel and their use of civilians as human shields to protect its forces.” West Dunbartonshire Council which, in 2012, ordered its libraries to ban new titles by Israeli authors, has been flying the flag at its council chambers since last week.
Glasgow Provost Sadie Docherty said that the move was due to the city being twinned with Bethlehem, adding that she hoped that “an immediate, enduring and peaceful resolution can be found to this conflict”.
Fife council leader David Ross added: “I hope that by flying this flag we can raise awareness of the suffering of the people of Gaza.”
Last week, the Scottish Government urged Westminster to introduce an immediate arms embargo on Israel, a move condemned by Mr Morran as “complete hypocrisy”.
Glasgow Jews angry over council flying Palestinian flag
Jews in Glasgow have expressed anger at the city council’s decision to fly the Palestinian flag.
The council has raised the flag over the City Chambers today in what it calls a show of support “for the innocent people who are being hurt in Gaza”.
In a letter to the mayor of Bethlehem, Glasgow’s Lord Provost Sadie Docherty said the move was a gesture of “solidarity with Bethlehem and Palestine”. Glasgow is twinned with the West Bank city.
Paul Morron, president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, said the decision had angered and hurt the city’s Jews.
In a statement, he said: “Flying the flag is the worst kind of gesture politics. It does nothing to alleviate the suffering on either side of the conflict, nor does it bring peace closer by one single minute.”
He added that the council had failed to emulate the spirit of inclusivity and unity seen at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this month.
Mr Morron discussed the issue yesterday with the council's leader and deputy leader at a meeting which he described as "useful and worthwhile".
He said: "The council understood our position much better, but there wasn't a meeting of minds. We made it clear that flying the flag is a political gesture of a partisan nature and unacceptable."
The flag will be flown throughout the day and is due to be lowered at 5pm.
Glasgow city council flies Palestinian flag
(JTA) – The city council of Glasgow, Scotland, displayed a Palestinian flag on its building in solidarity with casualties in Gaza.
The council raised the flag over the City Chambers Friday, the Jewish Chronicle of London reported, in support of “innocent people who are being hurt in Gaza,” the council said.
In a letter to the mayor of Bethlehem, Glasgow’s lord provost, or mayor, Sadie Docherty, said the move was a gesture of “solidarity with Bethlehem and Palestine.” Glasgow is twinned with Bethlehem, which is in the West Bank.
Jews in Glasgow have expressed anger at the move. In a statement, Paul Morron, president of the Glasgow Jewish Representative Council, said the decision had angered and hurt the city’s Jews.
“Flying the flag is the worst kind of gesture politics,” he said. “It does nothing to alleviate the suffering on either side of the conflict, nor does it bring peace closer by one single minute.”
The council said it had offered to meet Jewish representatives to discuss the issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment