Medway Council’s cabinet meeting was disrupted by protestors who called on members to make a statement in support of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Protestors from the Medway Palestine Solidarity Campaign (MPSC) arrived before the meeting started, holding banners, waving flags, and chanting outside St George’s Centre in Chatham.

When the meeting began, some sat in the public seating area of the hall, while others remained outside and could be heard chanting slogans in support of a ceasefire and criticising Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s stance.

Around half an hour into the meeting, when council leader Vince Maple (Lab) was introducing the next item, he was interrupted by a man who shouted “Shame on you!” and asked for any of the cabinet members to “just make one statement”.

Cllr Maple pressed on, not responding to the shouts, and introduced the next item.

A minute later, another protestor began shouting, and the online feed for the meeting was muted.

Shortly after, many of the protestors left the meeting.

In a statement following the protest, MPSC said: “The first and only public statement made by Medway Labour was on October 17, which did not go far enough.

“It failed to call for a ceasefire and it failed to call for all hostages to be released.

“Since the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, weak words by the international community have empowered the Israeli government to pursue a disproportionate campaign of violence.”

The Medway Greens tweeted about the protest, saying: “There are moments in politics where the silence is deafening. Tonight was one of those moments…

“Medway Labour have been given their last opportunity to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to save the people in Gaza.

“Residents of Medway have waited long enough.”

Others on X, formerly Twitter, criticised Cllr Maple and Cllr Naushabah Khan for not commenting on the situation in Gaza following previous support for a free Palestine.

The protest followed a march through Gillingham on December 16, which was also organised by the Medway Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

When approached for comment, Medway Labour group said their position remained the same as the statement released on October 17 and had no comment regarding the protest.

In their statement on October 17, they said: “We stand in solidarity with the innocent civilians of both Israel and Palestine. The indiscriminate attacks on civilians including the deaths of hundreds of innocent men, women and children is unacceptable.

“The Labour Party will continue to be strong advocates for justice, human rights and international law in this conflict and we condemn the use of violence against civilians.

“We recognise that Israel must protect itself from attack.

“We must distinguish Hamas, a terrorist organisation, from the Palestinian people. Any response must be proportionate, adhere to international law, and take all steps to avoid the death and suffering of innocent Palestinians.

"There must be humanitarian access to Gaza, for food, water, medicines and electricity. The international community must immediately provide safe corridors to allow vital life-saving medical equipment, fuel and water to reach those who need it.

“There will not be a just and lasting peace until both Israelis and Palestinians enjoy security, dignity and human rights.”