London June 30, IRNA — Bristol City Council in west England has voted to condemn Israel for its masked commando attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, killing at least nine humanitarian activists in international waters.
The motion also called on the UK government to “hold Israel to account for this illegal action” and to impose sanctions on the country until it “complies with international law and ceases perpetrating human rights abuses”.
Two Bristol men were aboard the Freedom Flotilla of ships when the Israeli military opened fire on May 31. One of them, Cliff Hanley (pictured), spoke in support of the motion at the council’s debate on Tuesday night.
Hanley, who criticised the “morality” of the council for investing money in Israeli banks, was joined by a number of pro-Palestinian protesters outside the council chamber, calling for a boycott of all Israeli goods and companies in Bristol.
According to the local Evening Post, the debate exposed divisions between the councillors representing the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives, the British government’s two coalition partners.
The motion was proposed by Lib Dem councillor John Kiely but was opposed by a defeated alternative put forwards by Conservative members that used “less emotive language” in calling for Israel to simply “exercise restraint”.