States Assembly asked to support calls for a ceasefire in Gaza

Tuesday 30 January 2024

A backbench politician is urging States Members to “use their voices” to advocate for peace on the international stage by supporting a call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Deputy Montfort Tadier – who is also chair of the Jersey Human Rights Group – is arguing that the representatives of the island should take a stance on the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel in response to a public petition calling for a ceasefire.

He explained: “On an international scale, the proposition aims to add the Assembly’s voice to those calling for a ceasefire and to do our bit to help the children and young people impacted by the conflict.

“I ask Members to vote with their consciences on this proposition and use what small influence the island has to add our voice to those in the international community seeking a lasting peace in the region.” 

Pictured: Deputy Tadier's proposition is responding to a public petition which has gained over 800 signatures.

The Deputy added that the proposition aims to “recognise the strong feelings” of the 800-plus islanders who signed a petition launched in November by former Deputy Paul Le Claire which asks the States Assembly to recognise Israel's actions as disproportionate and call for a ceasefire. 

In a report accompanying his proposition, Deputy Tadier stated: “As a States Member, who also shares the concern of the petitioners, I feel it is important that those of us who feel similar, and who have a voice in Jersey’s parliament, the States Assembly, also use that voice to amplify the feelings of the public.

“Many of the people I speak to also feel that a genocide is taking place before our very eyes, and they feel powerless in the face of such a civilian death toll. However, living in a democracy means that people can at least have a voice and use that voice.”

The proposition urges the States Assembly to express “profound sadness and dismay” at the extent of civilian casualties in both Gaza and Israel and to “condemn the taking of hostages and acts of aggression that violate international law”.

Deputy Tadier explained: “25,000 Gaza civilians, which represents a quarter of the population of Jersey, have been killed in the space of just over three months. In addition, more than 62,000 have been injured… And it is estimated that two-thirds of those killed are women and children.”

Pictured: States Members are being asked to vote whether they believe that the Assembly should officially support the above points. 

The proposition also seeks to officially put forward the consensus of the Assembly in calling for a permanent ceasefire, an end to the military occupation of Palestine, the release of all hostages and a diplomatic solution to end the conflict.

The Deputy argued: “The UK may not know what it means to be occupied, but we in the Channel Islands do. Admittedly, our most recent occupation only lasted five years, but its memory is still etched into the collective consciousness some 80 years on. Should we not speak out for and support others who are facing a similar situation?”

He also calls upon States Members to push the UK Government and its allies to actively engage in diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving stability and lasting peace in the region.

The proposition, which is due to be debated on 27 February, requests that States Members vote on whether the Assembly should officially back these measures. 

It also underscores the significance of respecting the interim ruling of the International Court of Justice in South Africa's case against Israel.

In November, religious leaders and the former Chief Minister called for “a swift end to the violence” in the Middle East in a joint statement – but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire, saying instead that “cooperation may require all sides to adhere to a pause in hostilities”.