Lancaster council withdraws new motion that ‘singles out Israel’

Councillors heard from Lancaster University JSoc president Noah Katz, 20, who gave a speech pointing out that the new motion, in its initial online form, had also “singled out” Israel for criticism “with a jumbled and misinformed preamble".

His speech, written with the Lancaster & Lakes Jewish community, drew a round of applause from councillors.

While the cross-party motion focused on developing a comprehensive investment policy for the local authority, it initially also contained a preamble referencing settlements and historic boycott movements.

The second-year area studies student said the motion had been “rushed” and had a “tendentious narrative.”

The local authority did not take “time to reflect on the recent experience to learn lessons, and instead rushed to a new motion,” he told councillors.

He also described last month's pro-BDS motion as a "blight to Lancaster" and said it should have been rescinded by any of the constitutional means available. "The new motion must not inadvertently exacerbate the damage," he added.

The section referencing settlements was removed on Friday, the motion's primary drafter Cllr Erica Lewis told the JC. 

She also said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that the motion had been withdrawn so councillors could “hear the address from Mr Noah Katz and work further on the motion.”

Mr Katz described the outcome of Wednesday’s meeting as a “first step in the right direction” while the Lancaster and Lakes Jewish Community said it was “happy that we are making an impact.”