Ceasefire in Gaza (P.7/2024): amendment (P.7/2024 Amd) – amendment.

STATES OF JERSEY

CEASEFIRE IN GAZA (P.7/2024): AMENDMENT (P.7/2024 AMD.) –

AMENDMENT

Lodged au Greffe on 26th February 2024 by the Minister for External Relations

STATES GREFFE

2024  P.7 Amd. Amd.

CEASEFIRE IN GAZA (P.7/2024): AMENDMENT (P.7/2024 AMD.) –

AMENDMENT

____________

1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (e) – Delete the words “two-state”.

MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Note:  After  this  amendment,  the  amendment  to  the  proposition  would  read  as follows –

1  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (a) –

For the words “the loss of civilian lives” substitute the words “death and harm to civilians”.

After the word “especially” insert the words “women and”. 2  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (b) –

For the words “a  permanent ceasefire” substitute the  words “an immediate suspension of hostilities”.

For the words “and that all hostages and those held under unlawful detention should be released” substitute the words “to enable the unconditional release of hostages  and  those  held  under  unlawful  detention,  the  urgent  provision  of humanitarian assistance, and a permanent ceasefire”.

3  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (c) –

For the words “stop further significant loss of civilian lives and to avoid potential acts of genocide” substitute the words “prevent death and harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure on a mass scale”.

4  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (d) –

For the words “interim ruling” substitute the words “independence and work”.

For the words “in South Africa’s case against Israel” substitute the words “, including in relation to the conflict in Gaza,”.

After the words “should be respected” insert the words “having particular regard to the court’s interim ruling”.

5  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (e) –

For the words “solution to end the conflict” substitute the words “resolution to the conflict is vital”.

Delete “including an immediate end to the military occupation of the Palestinian Territories, should be pursued by the UK Government and its allies”.

After the words “lasting peace in the region” insert the words “, based on a solution which provides justice, freedom from occupation, and security for both Israelis and Palestinians”.

6  PAGE 2, PARAGRAPH (f) –

For the words “express the view of” substitute the word “updates”.

For the word “on” substitute the words “over the steps taken by Ministers to raise” After the word “matter” for the word “to” substitute the word “with”.

Note:  After this amendment, the proposition would read as follows – THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion −

1. to express their profound sadness and dismay at the extent of loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel and to condemn the taking of hostages and all acts of aggression which violate international law and result in death and harmto civilians, especially women and children;
2. that an immediate suspension of hostilities should be established to enablethe  unconditional  release  of  hostages  and  those  held  under  unlawfuldetention, the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance, and a permanentceasefire;
3. that international law should be adhered to in order to prevent death andharm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure on a mass scale;
4. that the  independence and work of the International Court of Justice, including in relation to the conflict in Gaza should be respected havingregard to the court’s interim ruling;
5. that a diplomatic resolution to the conflict is vital, in order to secure stability and a lasting peace in the region, based on a solution which provides justice,freedom from occupation, and security for both Israelis and Palestinians; and
6. to request that the Government of Jersey updates the Assembly over thesteps taken by Ministers to raise this matter with the UK Government.

REPORT

Since lodging my amendment to P.7/2024, I have continued to engage with islanders across  our  community  in  respect  of  the  proposition  and  my  amendment.  I  have approached these engagements openly and with a willingness to listen. This amendment to my amendment is a result of these further conversations.

It has become clear that the proposal in part (e) of my amendment to reference a two- state solution has been problematic for a number of islanders, and for several States Members. The view I have heard is that islanders, and Members, do not believe it is for Jersey to express a particular view on the possible outcome of this long-running conflict. I have therefore concluded that my amendment would be more representative to a greater number of islanders, and could be supported by more States Members, if it did not restrict the diplomatic options for a resolution to the conflict only to one based on a two-state solution.

Accordingly, this further amendment deletes the words “two-state” from part (e) of my amendment. As a result, the proposition now seeks a solution which focusses on justice, freedom from occupation, and security for both Israelis and Palestinians, but which does not state or restrict the options as to what that solution might be. Various options would be available via diplomatic means and, as proposed in my original amendment, it is important to first enable the conditions which would likely be required for these longer- term solutions to be considered.

I have discussed this further amendment with Deputy Tadier , who has kindly indicated his consent for it to be lodged and form part of the debate. I am grateful for the constructive manner in which he has engaged throughout this process.

I ask Members to note that it is my intention to propose my amendment as amended by this change. For ease of reference, the amendment I will move (as amended) is produced below.

THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion –

1. to express their profound sadness and dismay at the extent of loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel and to condemn the taking of hostages and all acts of aggression which violate international law and result in death and harm tocivilians, especially women and children;
2. that an immediate suspension of hostilities should be established to enable theunconditional release of hostages and those held under unlawful detention, theurgent provision of humanitarian assistance, and a permanent ceasefire;
3. that international law should be adhered to in order to prevent death and harmto civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure on a mass scale;
4. that the independence and work of the International Court of Justice, includingin relation to the conflict in Gaza should be respected having regard to thecourt’s interim ruling;

5. that a diplomatic resolution to the conflict is vital, in order to secure stability and a lasting peace in the region, based on a solution which provides justice,freedom from occupation, and security for both Israelis and Palestinians; and
6. to request that the Government of Jersey updates the Assembly over the stepstaken by Ministers to raise this matter with the UK Government.

Financial and staffing implications

There are no financial or staffing implications arising from this amendment to the amendment to P.7/2023.

Children’s Rights Impact Assessment

A Children’s Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) has not yet been prepared in relation to this proposition as the proposer intends to seek a reduction in the minimum lodging period  for  the  proposition.  The  proposer  will  prepare  a  CRIA  in  line  with  the timeframes outlined in Article 7 of the Children (Convention Rights) (Jersey) Law 2022 and the CRIA will then be made available to read on the States Assembly website.