Motion from Councillor Ian Middleton
Oxfordshire hosts military air bases and training facilities, some of which are used by international forces.
Media reports have suggested that Oxfordshire air bases have been used to support Israeli Air Force actions in Gaza and that Israeli military personnel may have received training at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham.
Oxfordshire residents, faith groups and humanitarian organisations have expressed concern about the UK’s potential complicity in war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank and this has already attracted demonstrations by protest groups around some Oxfordshire military bases.
Residents deserve transparency about the use of such facilities within the County and the local resources required to protect and police them given the likelihood of further protests in response to increasing evidence of war crimes and potential genocide in Gaza.
We therefore ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner requesting information on any increased costs and resource requirements for protecting facilities in Oxfordshire that are being accessed by the Israeli military.
Decision:
The motion was lost with 19 votes in favour, 34 against and 2 abstentions.
Minutes:
The following motion was proposed by Councillor Middleton and seconded by Councillor Jones.
“Oxfordshire hosts military air bases and training facilities, some of which are used by international forces.
Media reports have suggested that Oxfordshire air bases have been used to support Israeli Air Force actions in Gaza and that Israeli military personnel may have received training at the Defence Academy in Shrivenham.
Oxfordshire residents, faith groups and humanitarian organisations have expressed concern about the UK’s potential complicity in war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank and this has already attracted demonstrations by protest groups around some Oxfordshire military bases.
Residents deserve transparency about the use of such facilities within the County and the local resources required to protect and police them given the likelihood of further protests in response to increasing evidence of war crimes and potential genocide in Gaza.
We therefore ask the Leader of the Council to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner requesting information on any increased costs and resource requirements for protecting facilities in Oxfordshire that are being accessed by the Israeli military.”
Following discussion, an electronic vote was taken. The motion was lost with 19 votes in favour, 34 against and 2 abstentions.