Northern Beaches Council rejects Gaza ceasefire motion amid fiery debate
Northern Beaches Council in Sydney has voted down a motion from a Greens councillor calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, support for Palestinian refugees, and the boycott of companies linked to Israel, after heated scenes inside and outside the chamber.
The motion also sought to express solidarity with activist groups, including the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and Medical Aid for Palestinians, and to endorse the right of return for all Palestinian refugees.
Greens councillor Ethan Hrnjak stated, “This council has a duty to speak out. While this may be symbolic, it matters to our community that we are not silent in the face of atrocities.” The 21-year-old Greens councillor, believed to be the youngest elected official in NSW, also led a protest outside the chambers before the meeting.
The proposal sparked fierce backlash from fellow councillors and members of the public.
Members of Northern Beaches Council
Independent councillor Vincent De Luca condemned the motion as “a disgraceful political stunt” and “completely inappropriate” for a local council. “We are not the United Nations,” he said. “This is an abuse of council resources to grandstand on a complex international issue that deeply divides the community.”
Former councillor Michael Gencher, who addressed the meeting from the public gallery, said the motion was “Greens propaganda dressed up as local governance”. “It completely ignores the October 7 massacre by Hamas and paints Israel as the sole aggressor,” he said. “Council should be focused on local issues, not fuelling division.”
Deputy Mayor Sue Heins also voted against the motion, saying, “This issue is outside the remit of local government. Our role is to represent all ratepayers, and that means staying out of inflammatory foreign policy.”
The motion was defeated, with the majority of councillors rejecting its framing and relevance to council responsibilities.
Similar Gaza-related motions have been rejected by Inner West, Randwick, Woollahra and Waverley councils, often led by Greens councillors but blocked by Labor or independents. In several cases, motions were withdrawn, amended or rescinded following public backlash, walkouts, or concerns about council overreach into foreign affairs.
You can add Byron Shire Council, where a first palestine Motion by Greens and an independent was withdrawn, and a 2nd Palestine Motion by the Greens was significantly Amended by the non Greens Councillors.