Fears Conservative Group Gaza motion seeks to defund communal groups

The Conservative Group on Bury Council have been accused of submitting a “totally inadequate and dangerous motion” in relation to the conflict in Gaza that could potentially lead to the defunding of communal organisations.

The “Community Cohesion in Bury” motion, was tabled in the names of 11 Tory councillors in in the north-west borough including leader Russell Bernstein and will be debated at a full Council meeting on Wednesday.

Former Tory Group chief whip Shahbaz Arif, whose name also appears first on the controversial motion, had previously shared an article suggesting Keir Starmer for receiving donations from “pro-Israel lobbyist” Trevor Chinn.

Describing the events in Israel and Gaza as “a great tragedy” that has caused “anxiety in all communities”, the motion nonetheless fails to explicitly condemn Hamas for the October 7th terrorist atrocity. Neither does it included calls for the immediate release of hostages.

The motion also resolves to agree organisations who “are not politically neutral should not be publicly funded.”

Labour MP Christian Wakeford reacted furiously after being shown a copy of the tabled motion.

The Bury South MP told Jewish News:”The Conservative Group on Bury Council have submitted a totally inadequate and dangerous motion to council which would seek to divide and damage our community cohesion, as well as defund important community organisations such as the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, Jewish Action for Mental Health, Community Security Trust as well as churches, mosques and synagogues across the borough.

“People across Bury already feel anxious, attacked, othered and excluded because of the ongoing horrors in Israel and Gaza, but to seek to silence them through community organisations is beyond the pale.

“Quite disgracefully, the motion does not specifically mention the need to immediately release Israeli hostages from Hamas, it does not mention the October 7th terrorist attack, it does not mention the ongoing challenge to deliver a peace free from terrorism in Palestine and Israel.

“Moreover it seeks to crack down on dissenting voices by ensuring the “neutrality” of Bury organisations – to be seemingly judged by local politicians – I ask how anyone can be neutral at time of war? Simply from a humanitarian angle, indifference is not an option.”

In elections last May the Conservatives held only 11 seats on Bury Council, which is controlled by Labour, who have 31 seats.

The Tory Group were repeatedly dogged with allegations of antisemitism against some of its councillors repeatedly emerging.

MP Wakeford told Jewish News:”Perhaps the Conservatives should spend less time dreaming up divisive motions to put to Bury Council and more time considering how they can ensure long-term peace in the region, free of terror.”