THERE will be a call next week for Cumberland Council to add its voice to others calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.

A member of the public will be given the opportunity to ask the unitary authority's deputy leader, councillor Lisa Brown (Currock, Labour), a question during the meeting of the full council at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Tuesday (November 5).

According to the question, the resident describes Israel’s assault in both Palestine and Lebanon as "genocidal" because it has resulted in the deaths of  tens of thousands of people with almost half of them being children.

It states: "In January, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the world court, handed down an interim ruling affirming there is plausible evidence Israel is committing genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.

"As a state party to the Genocide Convention, the UK has a binding obligation to employ all means reasonably available to prevent and deter further genocidal acts.

"In July, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion ruling that Israel's military occupation is unlawful and must end, and that Israel is in breach of the international prohibition of the crime of apartheid.

"The court affirmed that all states are under an obligation not to render aid or assistance to this unlawful situation."

According to the question, stemming from these obligations, councils must avoid procuring from or investing the funds they manage, including Local Government Pension Scheme funds, in companies that facilitate Israel's alleged breaches of international law.

It adds: "This includes arms companies producing weapons and military technology used by Israel in its relentless attacks on Palestinians, and financial institutions, like Barclays, which finance these arms companies.

"Given this, will the council call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and for the UK to end its arms trade with Israel?"

Tuesday's public meeting is due to begin at 1pm.