DUNDEE City Council has agreed to note with concern the ongoing situation in Israel/Palestine and is calling for a just and lasting two-state solution which will bring peace to the region.
The council agreed to instruct the chief executive to write to Her Majesty's Government raising the ongoing concerns of members and asking that the Government respond outlining the actions it is taking with regard to finding a peaceful solution.
At its meeting last night (MONDAY) the council passed an amendment welcoming and celebrating the diversity of cultures and faiths within its boundaries; believing that respect for human rights is fundamental to peaceful co-existence in any society; and noted with sorrow the continuing violence in Israel and in the Palestinian territories.
The city council commended the efforts made by President Obama and others to promote a just peace in the region and called on the UK Government to show leadership, as well as appealing to all sides to show restraint and to find a way of living together in peace and prosperity.
It was accepted that Israelis have the right to live in peace but the council deeply regrets the disproportionate response of the Israeli military against aid convoys and Palestinian protestors which has led to unnecessary suffering, lasting bitterness and international condemnation.
Dundee City Council also recognised the courage of those struggling for democracy in many Arab nations, condemned violence and oppression by dictatorial governments anywhere, believing that the "Arab Spring" could be a defining event of equal importance to the fall of the Berlin Wall and called on the leaders of the Arab world to embrace democracy, not to fear it.
It should be noted that there has never been a ban on buying or lending books by Israeli authors in libraries in Dundee.
Dundee City Council does not boycott any goods or services from Israel. See previous statement herehttp://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/news/index/article?article_ref=1428&month=05&year=2011
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