The local authority in the East Flemish city of Ghent has raised the flag of peace out its Town Hall to call for an end to violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The entire city cabinet also held a minute’s silence to remember the victims that have fallen on both sides.
Ghent
Ghent raises a peace flag and calls for de-escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
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In a press statement Ghent’s Mayor and the city’s aldermen said “Violence against civilians can never be justified, we strongly condemn all human rights violations.”
After the peace flag was hoisted a minute's silence was held to mourn the thousands of current and past victims of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaking on behalve of the city council, the Mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq (liberal) said that "It hurts us to see this upsurge of violence. The attacks on residents of Israel and the civilian casualties in Gaza are unacceptable. Violence against civilians can never be justified, whatever the circumstances".
Ghent City Council is keen to stress that it is not taking sides in the conflict "As a city, we choose the side of international law and against violence against innocent civilians. There is only one good side and that is that of the victims", the Ghent City Alderman responsible for International Solidarity Hafsa El-Bazioui (Green) said.