One of the Labour councillors who backed the motion, labelled “divisive” by opponents, is an aide to Shabana Mahmood. Marcus Bernasconi, who represents North Edgbaston ward on the council, is also employed by Mahmood in her constituency office. His vote, and those of other Labour councillors in favour of the motion, appear to diverge from the Labour government’s approach to Israel. The government’s longstanding position has been to refuse to label Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide”, saying that it was a matter for international courts to determine. Announcing sanctions against West Bank settlements in September, Ed Miliband, the foreign secretary, emphasised...