Burgemeester Paul Depla has given the following statement during the council meeting:

“This is a motion directed at the council. Still, I feel the need to provide a reflection from my role as mayor and chair of your council in response to the motion.

The images of the situation in Gaza leave no one indifferent. It affects our society, it affects us as politicians, and it affects me as mayor.

This was also true when we saw the terrible images of the attack from Hamas in Israel nearly two years ago.

In the conversations I have in the city, I experience that this violence in Gaza is concerning our residents. More and more. People are showing sadness, anger, helplessness, but also fear.

As representatives of the people, many of you feel the need to speak out.

Everyone chooses their own way. Their own words. And their own perspective.

This is not strange. Because the current violence in Gaza stems from a very complex geopolitical situation that has been ongoing for decades.

As mayor and as a human being, I regret all innocent victims and all the suffering that we see every day. Entire families are torn apart. Entire villages are destroyed. And the language used by some politicians is frightening.

I hope that globally the necessary steps are taken to stop the violation of human rights in this terrible war.

In my view, there is no room for hesitation. Every violation of human rights. Every breach of international law. Every form of discrimination. It all must stop. As soon as possible. Regardless of who is responsible for this.

Because when it comes to discrimination, human rights, and war violence, there can be no double standard.

Of course, I am aware of my limitations as mayor and our limitations as local politics. We have the International Criminal Court when it comes to assessing and prosecuting war crimes.

And formulating a formal position in foreign policy is reserved for the government, whereby the national parliament can urge the government to take action.

We do not express ourselves about all conflicts in the world. The fact that many of us want to do so now has a reason. Because the war in Gaza, this conflict, affects our society, or at least a significant part of our Breda society. And if we are not careful, this conflict will also create tensions in our city.

The effect of this war therefore also has a local significance. That is why I, and we as a municipal government, are indeed in charge in this case. For example, when it comes to maintaining and strengthening the connection in our society.

To ensure that the societal pressure created by this violence far away from our city does not lead to division in our own Breda.

In a time of polarization, of black and white thinking, of being for or against something, of having to choose all the time, we in Breda choose a different path. Every day we choose peace, protection of human rights, shared humanity, togetherness, and acceptance of diversity.

For therein lies the strength of our society. Let us continue to spread and promote that message together. The world is already tense enough due to all the tensions in the world.

They also affect our city. But let us try to keep talking to each other. Breda brings it together. We say this with conviction. Let us seek each other out, listen to each other, and share our stories, customs, norms, and values with each other.

I will, as your mayor, make sure to continue to commit to this every day.”