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EXCLUSIVE: An inner-city Melbourne council has weighed into the conflict between Israel and Gaza, carrying a resolution expressing "solidarity" with the Palestinian people and blaming the violence on the Israeli "occupation".

The move has angered Jewish community leaders, who called the resolution “loopy” and “shameful”.

The motion was moved by socialist councillor Stephen Jolly as emergency business, meaning it could be introduced at short notice without widespread community consultation.

“The Council notes with deep concern the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, with hundreds of Palestinians killed in the last week and ten in Israel, with Palestinians bearing the brunt of the attacks by the Israeli military in Gaza,” the resolution says.

“We express solidarity with Yarra-based Palestinians, whose community is facing displacement by bombings. We note that this is not a conflict between equals but the extension of an occupation that makes it impossible for Palestinians or Israelis to ever live in peace and security.”

The original draft of the motion was shared by Cr Jolly on his Facebook page but was toned down before the meeting.

“Council notes the escalation of violence and genocidal tactics currently being perpetrated against Palestinians in Gaza and occupied East Jerusalem by Israel,” the original draft said.

“We express solidarity with Yarra-based Palestinians whose community are facing displacement by bombings as part of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. We note the overwhelmingly one-sided nature of the violence against Palestinians, including military action, missile attacks, and street lynchings.”

Cr Jolly also quotes US-based South African comedian Trevor Noah, who likened Israel on his program The Daily Show “like bringing a knife to a gunfight… When [Israel] has this much power, what is its responsibility?”

During the meeting, Cr Jolly compared the Israeli treatment of Palestinians to Apartheid in South Africa and said his expression of solidarity was similar to one the council expressed for Americans in the wake of the September 11 bombings in 2001.

Three local residents spoke at the Tuesday night meeting, all expressing their disapproval of the motion and the lack of consultation, but the resolution was carried 5-2.

The co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, said the resolution was “insane”. “It’s actually loopy policy on so many levels,” Mr Ryvchin said.

“When you look at the actual substance of the motion, it’s entirely one-sided. It doesn’t even attempt to strike any balance.

“The notion of ethnic cleansing is ridiculous. As for disproportionality, you wonder what these people actually want to see. Do they want to see Hamas having more power, more military prowess than it currently has?”

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission, Dvir Abramovich, said the resolution was “a new low in Australian local politics.”

“This shameful, harmful and cynical resolution, chock full of the demonization of Israel, has discredited the council and will only foment an atmosphere of hostility against the Jewish community and anyone who supports Israel,” Dr Abramovich said.

Independent councillor Herschel Landes filed a rescission motion, but the council dismissed it on Thursday, saying that the expression of solidarity was considered a “policy position” that was not able to be rescinded.

"For this Council to adopt such a divisive proposition beyond its remit was insensitive and completely against the grain of the ethos of Yarra,” Cr Landes said in a statement on his Facebook page.

Yarra City Council made headlines in 2017 after voting to no longer recognise Australia Day in 2016.

Councillor Jolly declined to be interviewed.