Merri-bek council have voted in favour of a motion to fly the Palestinian territories’ flag amidst the war between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, in a motion supported by mayor Panopoulos but voted against by two other Greek Australian councillors.
At the November 8 meeting, the council declared that they recognise the bombing, and the siege of Gaza is traumatising for many Merri-bek residents who have relatives in the region or have come from war-torn countries.
The councillors condemned the loss of civilian lives in the conflict and attacks that target civilians and sought to align the Hamas terror attack of October 7, which resulted in the murder of 1400 Israelis, including rape, and kidnaping of children, with the “decades long occupation of Palestine and the forced displacement of millions of Palestinians”.
Merri-bek council intends to write to the prime minister, to ask him to condemn what they term as “war crimes” carried out by “Israel against the Palestinians in Gaza.”
They will ask that Australia “call for an immediate ceasefire” and an end to Israel’s aerial bombardment and the immediate lifting of the siege on Gaza to allow Palestinians in Gaza access to food, water, fuel, electricity, medical supplies, and construction materials to repair damaged homes and civilian infrastructure.
It is not clear if they will ask the Australian government to pressure Egypt to open the Rafah crossing to allow civilians safe passage into Egypt.
As the first council to fly the Palestinian flag, they have decided to extend the period it is kept up by raising it on the fourth flagpole at the Coburg Civic Centre for six months.
The motion was moved by Socialist Alliance Councillor Sue Bolton and was supported by Independents Monica Harte and James Conlan, who helped draft the motion.
The meeting drew hundreds, and when the motion passed 6-4 the gallery erupted in a standing ovation.
The three councillors who moved the motion were mayor Cr Angelica Panopoulos, Cr Adam Pulford, and Cr Mark Riley.
Cr Panopoulos, the mayor of Merri-Bek told Neos Kosmos, that council has a “long and proud history of advocating on social justice issues.
“The loss of life in Gaza is devastating. The deaths must cease, and we call for a ceasefire.”
Cr Panopoulos emphasised that she and the council “actively stand against all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.”
Labor councillor Lambros Tapinos and three independents, Oscar Yildiz, Helen Davidson and Helen Pavlidis-Mihakos, voted against the motion.
Cr Tapinos told Neos Kosmos that the council should express condolences over the loss of life on both sides, and acknowledge its Jewish and Palestinian community members, but that the motion wasn’t balanced.
“It talks about the establishment of Israel or the occupation of Palestine, but it doesn’t say the reason why Israel and Hamas are at war, it doesn’t mention Hamas at all.
“Jewish community members will be upset because they feel that it’s against them.
“We have heard from both sides, the Islamic communities, and Jewish communities, that there’s been an increase in attacks, an increase in anti-Semitism and an increase in Islamophobia.
“We should be building harmony in the community, not causing division,” Cr Tapinos said.
He added that the motion, and the days before, created division and generated abuse toward council members and staff.
“It’s caused a lot of angst – councillors and the staff received hundreds of emails and phone calls from people abusing them from both sides.
“Instead of receiving phone calls about fixing the roads, potholes and cutting tree branches, they’re receiving phone calls, getting abuse from both sides.”
Cr Tapinos said adding that the decision will cause “damage to the reputation of Merri-bek City Council and, create division in the community.”
Stonnington Council in Melbourne’s inner southeast recently said it would illuminate the Malvern Town Hall in the colours of the Israeli flag for three days and was criticised for removing pro-Israel posters about hostages from public areas. Glen Eira council was also criticised when its workers removed the same posters.
