The Sheffield Green Party have called for ‘peace and opposition to all war crimes’ after tensions continue to escalate in Gaza and Israel.

This comes after the Israeli flag was raised at Sheffield Town Hall, which has since been removed after a protest in aid of Palestine took place on Tuesday.

The protest came alongside criticism on social media towards the council for its decision not to remove the flag.

Taking to X (formerly known as Twitter), the Sheffield Green Party said: “The Green Party condemn the terror and violence waged against civilians in both Gaza and Israel, and also opposed the raising of the Israeli flag on Sheffield Town Hall.”

“Instead we believe the Peace Flag should have been raised, in support of peace and opposition to all war crimes.”

Co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay, said on X: “Our first thoughts are with the hundreds of innocent victims who are faced with the devastating and escalating violence. Most civilians caught up in the conflict have an overriding desire to live in peace.

“The Green Party calls for an immediate end to the violence in Israel and Palestine. The targeting of civilians is an outrageous breach of international law and is unacceptable under all circumstances.

“We urge the international community to take immediate steps to protect civilian life and infrastructure from attack, and to launch immediate humanitarian relief efforts.”

Councillor Alexi Dimond echoed the statement posted by his party on X. He said: “Sheffield Green Party opposed raising the Israeli flag on the Town Hall.

“Hamas’ attack on civilians is a horrendous war crime, and so is the Israeli occupation.”