Westminster Council passed a joint motion from both groups at Full Council on 11 November: Zionism is not racism. It was moved by Cllr Hannah Galley, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, and carried with a named vote at the request of Council Leader Cllr Paul Swaddle, so that every member is on the record.
"Jewish people should never have to hide who they are"
Hannah, who represents Abbey Road, said she had witnessed "a growing climate of intolerance, intimidation, and hatred directed towards Jewish people" in Westminster and beyond.
"At its heart, Zionism is the belief in the right of Jewish people to self-determination in their ancestral homeland." The motion is clear that supporting Israel's right to exist does not mean supporting every decision of its government: "One can criticise its prime minister, its policies, and its military actions, just as one can criticise the government of any other country."
"As councillors, we have a duty and a responsibility to defend community cohesion, to challenge prejudice wherever it arises, and to ensure that every resident here in Westminster, whether they are Jewish or of another religion or of no religion, feels safe in expressing their identity."
"Zionism is not racist. Jewish identity is not something to be erased. And Jewish people should never have to hide who they are to feel safe in London."
On the record
After the motion passed on a show of hands, Paul called for a division and a named vote "so that everybody can be recorded as having voted for the motion", and is writing to members who were not present to ask them to declare their support.
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