COUNCILLORS discussed the humanitarian crisis in Israel and Gaza at a sometimes-fiery meeting on Tuesday evening – a meeting that was paused for an hour after interruptions from the public gallery.

At one point the Council Leader referred to parts of Gaza as currently resembling an “open air prison.”

The conflict was referred to in Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe’s report that goes to every full Council meeting.

It said: “We unequivocally condemn Hamas and the atrocities and acts of terror they have committed against Israeli citizens as well as British citizens and others.

“The Israeli Government’s response to the attack – cutting off food, water, electricity and fuel from 2.4 million people including one million children, is tantamount to collective punishment and a humanitarian catastrophe. International law needs to be adhered to at all times.

“We desperately want to see innocent civilians in both Israel and Palestine protected.”

In response to the comments, Councillor Rebecca Poulsen, Leader of the Conservatives in Bradford, said: “I’m sure all of us across this chamber are appalled at the situation following the terrorist attack in Israel.”

Councillor Talat Sajawal (Independent, Little Horton) said: “We all condemn the horrific attacks in Palestine and Israel. Given the comments made by the Leader of the Labour Party that seemed to agree that stopping food, water and medical equipment into Gaza was acceptable, something that caused a massive amount of distress in my constituency, would the Leader of this Council write to the leader of Labour and ask him to retract what he has said and apologise?”

Cllr Hinchliffe said: “We have made our views on this very clear. The humanitarian crisis is growing day by day in Gaza. Men, women and children are fleeing for their lives – that has to stop. It has become an open-air prison. There are thousands of people on the Egyptian border with no food or water, and that needs sorting.

“What I see is a massive humanitarian disaster that should have been sorted out years ago. People should look into the eyes of the children effected by this and not make politics out of this, that is what we should all focus on.”

Councillor Taj Salam (Lab, Little Horton) asked: “Does the leader of the Council agree with me that the people of Palestine are not Hamas, and should not suffer a collective punishment?”

Cllr Hinchliffe replied: “Absolutely – people should not be confused, Hamas are not the Palestinian people. The majority of Palestinian people just want to live their lives.”

Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Green Party in Bradford, said people needed to realise that those who were suffering were all real people.

Councillor Brendan Stubbs, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “I think we all speak as one voice when we say international law is the bare minimum countries should adhere to.”

Councillor Shabir Hussain (Lab, Manningham) said: “The forced migration of 1.1m people, half of which are children, will worsen the humanitarian crisis.”

Cllr Hinchcliffe replied: “It doesn’t bare thinking about, the bloodshed has been absolutely shocking.”

During the debate a number of people in the public gallery began shouting down into the Council chamber.

Lord Mayor Gerry Barker – who chairs full Council meetings, warned them public participation in the meeting was limited to those who had been given permission to speak.

Later in the meeting, during a motion about sustainable transport, there was further disruption from the public gallery.

When people continued to shout down to the Council Chamber, Cllr Barker called for security to remove the members of public. The meeting was paused for almost an hour.

The conflict in Israel and Gaza was again referenced later in the meeting.

During a motion by the Green party calling for the Council to object to a proposed oil and gas field off the Shetland Isles, Councillor Noor Elahi (Independent, Little Horton) spoke, saying efforts must be made to make sure no Israel linked company should be given a contract to work the proposed site.

He then went on to criticise the Israeli government and its treatment of Palestinian citizens.

Cllr Barker interrupted, suggesting the crisis in the Middle East was not relevant to that particular motion.

Cllr Elahi argued it was relevant, but was eventually told to stop speaking on the issue.

He and Cllr Sajawal then addressed the Mayor, pointing out a Councillor had shouted out a claim that Cllr Elahi’s comments were supporting Hamas. The pair asked for an apology.

When Cllr Barker asked for the Councillor who made the comment to respond, Councillor Paul Sullivan (Cons, Bingley Rural) stood up and said: “Hamas have gone into homes and butchered people.”

He refused to apologise, and Cllr Barker said he was “drawing a line” under the issue, and the meeting continued.