The Labour leader of Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) has used an emergency statement to condemn the Israeli strike on the Qatari Capital of Doha.
At a council Cabinet meeting he also announced MKCC will invite members of the local Palestinian community, and Palestinian refugees to an event to mark the expected historic recognition of the State of Palestine by the UK government.
Milton Keynes Council was one of the first in the country to pass a motion calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, in 2023.
It is estimated that more than 60,000 Palestinians have since lost their lives.
On Tuesday, the Israeli government used its military to bomb a target in Qatar, believed to be a building containing Hamas leaders discussing a plan put forward by the United States.
Qatar has been acting as a mediator, seeking to secure a ceasefire.
“I would like to unequivocally join the Prime Minister and say that as Leader of the Council, on behalf of this administration, and I hope the whole council, I totally condemn the Israeli government’s strike on Qatar," said Councillor Marland.
“We utterly and absolutely condemn terrorism and terrorist groups in all their forms, but making an attack on the sovereign territory of a neutral third country, which is seeking to mediate a ceasefire, would appear to me as the actions of an Israeli government that has no interest in peace.”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Marland added: “I believe it is clear that the current Israeli government’s military response is having a disastrous and inhumane impact on the innocent civilians of Gaza, especially children. Starvation of children and flattening whole cities cannot be justified and it must stop.
“I am well aware, and have always said, that Benjamin Netanyahu is not going to care what a council in England thinks.
“However, by inviting people from Palestine to mark what will be an important and historic occasion, I hope we can highlight that we stand with innocent people who are suffering inhumane conditions, show our support for a viable Palestinian state, alongside a safe and secure Israel, and reaffirm the need for a just and lasting peace.”
