(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
January 09, 2024 - 5:25 PM
A Kamloops councillor is proposing her colleagues make a public stance on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Councillor Nancy Bepple wants the city to send a letter to the Prime Minister requesting a national call for a ceasefire in the region.
Her notice of motion asks the mayor to write the letter calling for humanitarian aid for Gazans and for the federal government to "recognize the humanitarian crisis."
"This is in response to community requests and my own feelings in terms of the issue," Coun. Bepple said at a council meeting today, Jan. 9.
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It goes on to call for the city to "condemn all acts of antisemitism, racism and Islamophobia in our country."
Bepple's motion came as council was pressed by members of the public to call for a ceasefire earlier in the meeting.
"We believe every elected official must be doing what they can to push for a ceasefire," Palestine Solidarity Kamloops spokesperson Joanne Hammond said. Amanda Renyard from New Westminster echoed the call.
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The vote on Coun. Bepple's motion will take place at the next regular meeting, Jan. 23.
The war began in October with a brutal attack by Hamas terrorists on Israeli civilians. The ground assault killed around 1,200 people and around 250 people were taken hostage .
The subsequent air, ground and sea assault by Israel has killed around 23,000 people, with two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Hamas territory Health Ministry.
— With files from The Associated Press.
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