Coevorden pronounced tonight during the municipal meeting against the violation of human rights in Gaza. The municipality thereby joins the growing number of Dutch municipalities that criticize Israel.
The decision for the position followed after a motion by PAC. During the council meeting, the party called on the college to speak out against the consequences of the war and the violence in Gaza. According to PAC, the municipality of Coevorden has the responsibility to speak out against human rights violations.
“As far as we are concerned, this is the time to speak out, because our government refuses to mark a red line against Israel,” said party chairman Jerry Stoker. “Residents of our municipalities are also worried and experienced feelings of injustice”. The party calls on the government to actively commit itself to a peaceful solution to the conflict in Gaza.
The PvdA already joined the PAC’s position before the council meeting. “We draw the red line. Call the cabinet to stop this,” said councilor Gilbert Mulder (PvdA). The CDA could also agree with the signal from PAC. “This is a motion that you cannot actually be against. We are for peace and against violence,” said councilor Eddy Heeling. The CDA councilor indicated that local politics is in principle not interfering with international politics, but added that the motion is an important puzzle piece in the way to peace.
Group chairman Henk Mulder (BBC2014) called the situation in Gaza terribly and agreed with the importance of the motion. “We believe that as local politics we should not and want to interfere with international politics. But we do not close our eyes to the great, and in this case angry, outside world.” The PPC also agreed, but not without a critical comment. “I am in favor, but there are other countries where many worse things happen,” said party leader Henk Bouwers.
During the council meeting, Renze Bergsma spoke out on behalf of the college about the motion. “The situation in Gaza is terrible, sad and unacceptable. We are not about international policy, but we have always appeared for universal rights.” Bergsma mentioned the issue of ‘political transcending importance’. “It’s about fundamental rights, human rights and humanity. You can’t close your eyes for that.”
Only the VVD eventually voted against the motion. “We find it terrible what happens in Gaza,” said councilor Irma Talens on behalf of the VVD. “But we are here for local politics and we have to see what the challenges are here. I think this is about national politics.”