Opinion: Ealing Council’s double standards

Barry Gleeson, secretary of Palestine Solidarity Campaign West London writes: “Ealing Council needs to show the same forthrightness and compassion they showed for Ukrainians, for Gaza”.

“Ealing Council’s failure to even agree to take meaningful action for Gaza, as they did for Ukraine, highlights a troubling double standard.

“On 8 March 2022, just days after Russia invaded Ukraine, Ealing’s leadership wrote to the Home Secretary to demand stronger sanctions against Russia and greater support for Ukrainian refugees (see Letter here).

“This demonstrated political agency—an essential quality in a functioning democracy where elected officials act on behalf of the people they represent. Many of us stood in solidarity with Ukraine, driven by a shared compassion for the innocent people affected and belief in international human rights and protections from war.

“Fast forward to 12 December 2024, when a petition in support of Gaza—signed by over 3,500 residents, students and workers —was discussed at Ealing Council. The contrast between the council’s response to the Gaza petition and Ukraine is striking.

“While councillors acknowledged our concerns, they failed to agree any action, offering business as usual answers to some (refugees), silence on others (writing to home secretary, council motions) or refusal in support of our request for divestment from all companies implicated under the Geneva Convention on Genocide and Rome Statute. This echoed a similar lack of response following the ICJ Genocide ruling on Gaza last February, when only one of 70 councillor’s said they would consider a motion.

“This pattern of silence and inaction undermines the moral and equality standing of Ealing Council and public trust, particularly when you see the horrific daily attacks on Gaza by the Israeli State. When the council addressed the issue of Ukraine they were standing up for what was right morally and legally. Yet, in response to Gaza, they have not stood up. Why should the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine generate a different response to that of Palestine?

“The lack of response from Ealing’s leadership is especially concerning given their role in seeking action for the attacks on Ukraine. At the December debate, we heard the moving testimony from a 13 year old Ealing resident from Gaza who has 30 cousins, 20 children like her, exposed to endless trauma, terror and fear of death. This should have spurred action but it has not.

“This is not just about Gaza; it is about the broader disconnect between the council and the public they represent. Whether it’s the Gaza petition, concerns over control parking zones, or other issues, the councils’ political agency on our behalf is failing.

“I urge Ealing councillors to reflect on their response and consider how their inaction will be viewed in comparison to Ukraine. We need the council to show the same forthrightness and compassion they showed for Ukrainians, for Gaza.

“History and the people are watching, we will not forget what we are witnessing daily in Gaza nor forgive those who should, and could, have acted and didn’t. Ealing Council must rethink their reply and action our asks.”