![](https://www.sheffieldpsc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/student-rally-eflyer-1024x1024.jpeg)
Sheffield becomes the longest running student encampment this Saturday. Join SCCP on their 88th day to keep pressure on the University, after the result of their eviction hearing!
Sheffield becomes the longest running student encampment this Saturday. Join SCCP on their 88th day to keep pressure on the University, after the result of their eviction hearing!
After a long and disappointing debate, the council has decided not to adopt the petition demand of a Israeli Apartheid Free Zone.
Submitted in March and delegated to the Strategy and Resources Committee, Sheffield PSC activists were hopeful that, in the wake of the International Court of Justice ruling on July 18th, which found Israel’s occupation to be illegal and the regime to be practising the crime of apartheid, the Council would vote to review the report. Instead it voted to accept its recommendations and do nothing.
The report itself, described by the Council’s chief executive, Kate Josephs, as ‘processy and legalistic’ takes a risk averse perspective and is reluctant to find room to support Palestinian people. This contrasts with the alacrity with which the Council supported Ukraine.
You can judge for yourselves. Here is the Ukrainian people support page and here is the Palestine statement of support.
Questions first from Hilary Smith and then from Jonathan Feldman challenged the Council to have the report reviewed; then during the debate there was an amendment proposed by Douglas Johnson (and seconded by Angela Argenzio) to include a statement that adopts the phrase Israeli Apartheid Free Zone; in response to this the Chief Executive was able to confirm that it was ‘open to the council to adopt the phrase’ adding that Local Authorities “do adopt declarations which are expressions of political views”.
In spite of this open door to do the right thing, Tom Hunt the leader of the council – supported feverishly (some might say manically) by the leader of the Liberal Democrats – forced the report through with no review.
Some issues and questions remain:
the report claims that the council is not subject to International law and there was a claim in the meeting that external counsel was consulted and confirmed this – we maintain this is incorrect but even if it is correct it does not mean councils cannot act to support international law.
the council officers have done an impact assessment for this report; dd they do an EIA for the Ukranian support policy?
the council rejected the phrase as they claimed it was largely symbolic, but there are things they can do to support Palestinians in Sheffield and show support for Palestine:
We will be keeping up the pressure on the council to change tack over the coming months.
Fri 19th
Sat 20th – Big Ride for Palestine – registration via www.linktr.ee/SheffieldPSC closes today!
Sat 20th 12pm – The People’s Graduation for Palestine Students’s Union S20 2TG
Sat 20th – Cinema Palestino Showroom
Sat 20th Gigs Fundraising for Gaza
Sun 21st – Sheffield Transformed Festival SADACCA
We will gathering for Palestine, outside the Light Cinema on the Moor in Sheffield Town Centre on Saturday 25th May at midday
Sunday we will be taking part in a support rally for a Palestine Action member on remand for highlighting the criminal nature of the Israeli regime.
Please joins us on both if you can