Gaza: States calls for 'immediate suspension' to hostilities

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have been at war since early October

Jersey's States Assembly has supported calls for "an immediate suspension of hostilities" leading to "a permanent ceasefire" in Gaza.

Politicians unanimously agreed to a proposition from Deputy Montfort Tadier, after it had been amended by the External Relations Minister.

Earlier, around 60 people had gathered in the Royal Square in St Helier to call for peace.

Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have been at war since early October.

States Members concluded: "An immediate suspension of hostilities should be established to enable the unconditional release of hostages and those held under unlawful detention, the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance, and a permanent ceasefire."

They also agreed: "To express their profound sadness and dismay at the extent of loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel and to condemn the taking of hostages and all acts of aggression which violate international law and result in death and harm to civilians, especially women and children."

Jersey's government has been asked to express the States Assembly's view to the UK government

The wording of the proposition underwent a number of changes before it was put to a final vote.

Mr Tadier wanted to include the words "international law should be adhered to in order to stop further significant loss of civilian lives and to avoid potential acts of genocide".

He referred to an interim ruling of the UN's top court, which last month ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocidal acts in Gaza.

'Encourage diplomatic solutions'

Israel has vehemently rejected the accusations as "baseless" and "wholly unfounded".

Deputy Ian Gorst, however, persuaded the assembly to remove references to "potential acts of genocide".

He said he had received communications from people who felt "at best uncomfortable, and at worst intimidated" by the inclusion of those words within the proposition.

Of his revised version of the text, Mr Gorst said: "This is an amendment which would support a cessation of hostilities, a permanent ceasefire, an end to death and destruction and encourage diplomatic solutions to this conflict.

"It is an amendment which I would be able to deliver in our engagement with the United Kingdom and shows Jersey is a balanced, credible, mature jurisdiction but also one which understands and respects unity within its own borders."

As a result of the vote, Jersey's government has been asked to express the States Assembly's view to the UK government.