City considers flag and boycott response to Gaza flotilla raid
Calls for the Palestinian flag to be flown from Dundee's City Chambers and a boycott of Israeli goods to be introduced by the city council are being investigated in the wake of the Gaza flotilla raid.
Ali and brother Khalid El-Awaisi under the Palestinian flag before he recounted his experiences to the council last month.
- By Brian Allison
- Published in the Courier : 28.07.10
- Published online : 28.07.10 @ 11.42am
Nine people were killed when Israeli forces boarded the Mavi Marmara. Among passengers on the vessel was Dundee man Ali El-Awaisi, who later recounted the harrowing circumstances of the attack to city councillors.
West End ward councillor Fraser Macpherson was approached by constituents Kevin Moore and Mohamad Issa who wanted to see the Palestinian flag flying from the chambers and a council boycott of all Israeli goods.
He raised the issue with the council and was invited to a meeting with Lord Provost John Letford along with his constituents and Mr El-Awaisi which took place on Tuesday. Also present were chief executive David Dorward and legal manager Roger Mennie.
Mr Macpherson said it had been a very constructive meeting and he was keen that the council was able to maintain the united front that was apparent when a motion condemning the violence to ships carrying aid to Gaza and calling for an international inquiry was put to elected members on the evening Mr El-Awaisi spoke.
He said a petition with 2500 signatures calling for a boycott of Israeli goods had been submitted by his constituents and a request made that the Palestinian flag was flown from the City Chambers.
Mr Macpherson said he appreciated that council officers were concerned about possible legal difficulties associated with a boycott and whether it might compromise the authority's responsibility to provide best value.
"However, it has emerged that another council in Scotland -- West Dunbartonshire -- is operating such a boycott and officers will be making informal contact with that authority to find out more about it," he said. "I would be supportive of a boycott as long as it was found to be legally possible."
Mr Macpherson said the suggestion had also been made that the national flags of all of Dundee's twin cities should be flown from the City Chambers. That includes the West Bank town of Nablus and would therefore include the Palestinian flag, which is already displayed inside the chambers.
He said council officials were also to examine the possibility.
The lord provost agreed that the meeting had been constructive and said officers would be looking into the proposals made about the flag and the boycott.
"Whatever comes out of that must be in the best interests of Dundee," he said.
12.08pm - 28.07.2010 Dyke - Dundee, Scotland Report This
We must be careful not to take sides without considering both sides of the argument. Not just that of Dundee muslims. <br /> If we fly the Palestinian flag this could be construed as support for the terrorist organisation HAMAS.
12.59pm - 28.07.2010 Chris Macleod - Dundee, Scotland Report This
While understanding the feelings of Muslims,I think the Council should take a neutral stance. Dundee has a valued Jewish community whose feelings must also be considered.Scotland has historically been welcoming to Jews, and it would be sad if local Jews felt demonised by their local council.
06.31am - 29.07.2010 Steve - Dundee, Scotland Report This
No palestinian flag should be flying over any council buildings in Scotland.There has been wrong done on both sides in the conflict and we should not be seen to give support to any involved.......muslim or Jew.
05.57pm - 03.08.2010 wayne steinman - dundee, scotland Report This
It is disgusting that an international terrorist organisation such as Hamas been elected by the palestinians should be flown in a city council building in the u.k it shows blatant diregard for the feelings of jews in this country, when burning flags and effigees are seen on tv of western countries.
09.58am - 19.09.2011 E. Hakan - dundee, Scotland Report This
We have to keep neutral in this instance, besides it makes me laugh when someone wants to ban israeli goods, is not about of spring onions! Israel made the intel processor, cameras for mobiles and even most of the machines in ninewells, so dont go there for treatment either! banning is just ignorant
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