A vigil by Free Palestine Geelong (FPG) outside City Hall on December 12 drew more than 70 people to protest the council’s refusal to discuss a motion calling for a ceasefire.
Palestinian Youssef Hijazi, First Nations activist Phill King and FPG spokespeople Noor Al Assafi and Yasir Izmat addressed the crowd before they marched into the City of Greater Geelong Council meeting, with their banners and placards.
Council has been refusing to debate a Notice of Motion, tabled by Socialist Alliance Councillor Sarah Hathway, calling for a permanent ceasefire to the genocide in Gaza. Council officers allege it would incite violence.
This was the second meeting where the mayor and councillors refused to be drawn. The Mayor said he would provide the same answer to any question about the genocide, no matter the question.
Two questions were asked in question time. The first attempted to further explore council’s position on Palestine. The Mayor responded that council supports an “ongoing humanitarian ceasefire”, the release of all hostages and aid deliveries.
The second question about why council would not have a discussion, like other councils, received exactly the same answer. Hathway said she had been advised that violence may eventuate.
At the end of question time, FPG supporters marched out, chanting, and they stayed chanting outside, forcing security to close the doors.
Al Assafi told Green Left she thought council and the mayor’s responses were racist, because they were ignoring Middle Eastern community’s trauma.
Hathway said the only bright note was that a majority of councillors voted down Eddy Kontelj’s motion to reverse a decision not to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.