The below statement was made by Cllr Baiju Thittala, Mayor of Cambridge, at the recent Council meeting. This follows a unanimously approved Motion at Council in May, and previous statements made at full council meetings since October 2023 (19 October, 15 February, 29 February).  

"I would like to take a moment before we begin tonight to echo the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the crisis in the Middle East. Over the last year, the world has witnessed horrific death and destruction in Palestine, Israel and most recently Lebanon. 

"We must not grow numb to the tragic deaths of tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children who have been tortured and murdered. 

"Cambridge City Council, together with the people of Cambridge, stands united in the pursuit of peace, and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of civil rights for all. 

"In this moment of deep sorrow and distress, we extend our heartfelt condolences, steadfast support, and solidarity to all those who have endured and continue to suffer in this ongoing conflict. We stand resolute in our shared humanity, advocating for justice, dignity and peace for every individual, family and community affected. 

"Today, I would like to restate the importance of all Heads of State and Government actively working to build bridges and to support peace in the Middle East.  

"Last year we warned about the risk of retaliatory action spilling over into further bloodshed. This has unfortunately come to pass.  

"We again reiterate our plea for an immediate ceasefire, for peace and diplomacy to prevail in the Middle East, for the return of hostages and our support for a two-State solution. 

"We stand with the Prime Minister’s call for immediate ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, and for the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

"I would like to repeat the council’s condemnation of all forms of Islamophobia, Antisemitism and all forms of prejudice and hatred. We will continue to champion Cambridge as a City of Sanctuary, free from hate. 

"I would again like to emphasise what Mahatma Gandhi taught us all, that ‘an eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind', and that we ‘must be the change we wish to see in the world’. 

"May I now ask you all to stand for a minute’s silence."