I ask myself what kind of world have we created where advocating for the safety of children and other innocents has become an issue to be debated. An issue that is contentious. It absolutely isn’t

– it should be incredibly simple because all human life is precious.

The Prime Minister, during a panel discussion with Benjamin Netanyahu on his recent visit to Israel, said “we want you to win”.

I reject this sentiment. Not because I don’t recognise the impact of the horrendous attacks of October 7th but because there are no winners in war, instead there are people who lose – lose their children, their families, their homes, their safety.

Every day hundreds of innocent Palestinians are losing their lives. Their homes are being bombed, the hospitals they so desperately need are being targeted, even refugee camps are not safe.

The international community needs to be working towards a ceasefire, they must work towards access to adequate humanitarian aid, they must work towards a peaceful solution to this conflict, and for the release of hostages and for the long-term safety and security of Palestinians and Israelis alike.

conservative home office minister, that to march for peace, to march in solidarity with one’s fellow humans is a criminal act or is somehow hateful.

We have undoubtedly seen an increase in both antisemitic and Islamophobic sentiment – online and elsewhere. As a borough we must reject this, to call it out wherever and whenever we see it.

As humans we cannot help but be moved, be saddened by the human impact of this conflict. The images of horror we are seeing naturally draw feelings of fear, of anger, of helplessness and overwelmingly of sadness. At the most fundamental level any of those people could be us, could be our children, our family, our friends.

That shared humanity, that compassion and that empathy is why conflicts that are geographically so far away feel so close to home. It is why debate, discussions and protests on our streets are so bon a nut ant the sa hus i behes ane to make pace to hear cach ine win respectan the

Let Oldham be the place where we open up these conversations, on the basis of our shared humanity, with the hope that what is achieved is peace. In the short term, so that the impact of ine securende noe er nimise specso thad rese ong term Palestinians and Israelis feel safe, Our thoughts and our prayers are with all of those impacted by this ongoing conflict.