A motion that recognises Palestine as a sovereign state was passed unanimously by Sheffield City Council, becoming the UK’s first.

The motion “noted that the current UK Government appears to have no intention of recognising Palestine,” a stance which “is in contrast to the Labour Party’s commitment to recognise Palestine as a full state as part of the United Nations and under UK law.”

The passing of the motion was celebrated by raising the Palestinian flag outside the city’s Town Hall by Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Husam Zomlot.

Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) “welcome[d] the Council drawing attention to the continuing denial of self-determination to the Palestinian people”.

“We know from our campaigning activities that most people in the city will welcome the Council’s position. We hope that this initiative will be followed by measures aimed at ending British military and economic collusion with Israel’s occupation and colonisation of Palestinian land.”