A push to show solidarity with the people of Palestine has divided Cumberland Council, with opponents saying Israel’s plight shouldn’t be forgotten.
Speaking at the latest meeting, Mayor Ola Hamed put forward a Mayoral Minute which called for the Council to express its support and solidarity with Palestine, as well as to continue to advocate for a ceasefire.
Hamed also said the Council would prepare a concept for an appropriate public art installation to honour the people of Palestine and the lives that have been lost.
“This is a matter that is close to my heart, and of utmost importance to our community, and it’s important that this Council show leadership and solidarity on this important issue and call for this conflict to come to an end,” she said.
“We stand with all of the innocent victims of this long-running conflict and their families, who are suffering and have suffered over so many years.”
Hamed said the local Council should mark November 29 – the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People – with a show of support. She moved that they provide the Holroyd Gardens as a bookable space for local community group PAWA (Palestinian Australians Welfare Association) at no added cost.
“As a symbol of our support, it is only befitting that we allow an appropriate local community group the ability to mark this occasion for our local Palestinian community,” Hamed added.
But some Councillors said they shouldn’t pick sides, with Our Local Community Councillor Paul Garrard moving an amendment to include also standing in solidarity with Israel. Independent Councillor Steve Christou – who said he is “aware more than most people” of the conflict happening overseas as his sister-in-law is Palestinian – supported Garrard’s amendment.
“Yes, it is recognised that the Israeli army is more powerful but let’s not forget that Israeli citizens too are suffering attacks. They’re suffering attacks from Hamas, they’re suffering attacks from Hezbollah as well,” he said.
“Now for me, if we’re going to advocate for peace, I want to be fair and advocate for everybody because there is no distinction and no separation in suffering.
“People are people, blood is blood, innocent people are suffering in regard to this war, whether they be Palestinian or Israeli. Now I would hope that this Council would take a commonsense approach and raise their hand for what’s right and what’s fair.”
The death toll as it currently stands is over 1,000 Israelis and over 43,000 Palestinians.
The amendment was then put to a vote, ultimately failing to pass.
However, Independent Councillor Eddy Sarkis had more luck with his amendment, managing to get Hamed to add Lebanon to the minute.
“I don’t believe in my heart that the Israelis need support at this point in time,” he said.
“I indicated a foreshadowed amendment only because now they’re attacking people who they believe are supporting the Palestinians in and on Lebanese ground and now bombing various parts of Lebanon.”
Despite the debate, the Chamber supported the Mayoral Minute, with only Garrard and Christou voting against it. Councillors Helen Hughes, Joseph Rahme and Steve Yang abstained from voting.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.