A Kingston councillor has spoken out after facing backlash for sending a 'bullying' email to thousands of colleagues asking them to support demands for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Kingston Independent cllr James Giles said he would not be 'bullied into silence' after facing criticism for the email, which was sent to councillors across the UK on 19 November.

The email asked councillors to sign an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict. It said the names of those who had been invited to sign but chose not to would be published "in the interest of accountability". It also offered anonymity to those who wished to sign but did not want to be named.

The letter to MPs said: "Our residents are increasingly distressed by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Israel. We are writing to demand that you call for an immediate ceasefire and that you focus your efforts towards driving lasting peace in the region through meaningful impartial mediation for a two-state solution."

It added: "To be clear and stating the obvious, anti-Semitism is wholly unacceptable. However, this term cannot continue to be weaponised to absolve Israel of any accountability in how it has contributed to the ongoing tensions and its failure to comply with international law."

Cllr Giles said the email had created "confusion" but he never intended to publish the names of every councillor who did not sign the letter – only those who gave permission for him to do so. 

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) publishing the names of everyone who did or did not sign in two lists would have resulted in singling out those who signed anonymously, which was "demonstrably" never his intention.

He added: "Choosing not to requires you to make a choice, which is an active decision. Passively ignoring the email, passively refusing to respond is not making a choice. I cannot infer an opinion from a lack of response."

Councillors from across the UK criticised the email on X, formerly known as Twitter. Conservative cllr Mike Prendergast wrote on 19 November: "Like many councillors, I've received the email demanding I sign a letter calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. To be clear I will not be signing the letter and I won't be bullied into it by threats of being publicly named if I don't sign."

Lib Dem cllr Jack Davies also said: "The Lib Dems are calling for a an immediate ceasefire to protect civilians in Gaza and Israel. It's a principled position putting the people who are in harm's way first. I won't be signing some random councillor's open letter – especially when they threaten councillors to sign."

Labour cllr Malachi Carroll added: "I will not give into intimidation and so I can confirm that I will not be signing this bullying letter."

Cllr Giles told the LDRS more than 500 councillors had signed the open letter. He said: "I will never stop standing up for the things I believe in. I think people who know me know that I say what I mean and I mean what I say, and I will never stop advocating for peace."

He added: "If people have an issue with that, they're welcome to do so. We live in a democracy. Fortunately, we have a healthy exchange of views. But what I will not do, and the irony is not lost on me, I will not be bullied into silence by the very people alleging that I'm bullying them."

Around 1,200 people were killed and 240 hostages taken in a surprise attack launched by Hamas on 7 October . Israel responded with air strikes on Gaza and launched a ground offensive. The Hamas-run Gaza government has said 14,128 people have been killed in the region since the war began, including 5,840 children.

It was announced on 22 November that Israel had agreed to a deal with Hamas for the release of 50 hostages in exchange for a four-day pause in the fighting, starting on 23 November. In return, 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails are set to be freed.

In response to the email from Councillor Giles, Councillor Shaun Davies, chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), together with LGA group leaders, said Kingston Council's monitoring officer, the Information Commissioner's Office and the Metropolitan Police were aware of the ongoing situation.

Cllr Davies said: "The LGA does not endorse how this recent communication was sent, nor the hurt, worry and distress that this has caused. We can also confirm that the LGA did not share any councillor email contact information."

Cllr Giles said he had been suspended from his formal positions at the LGA for one month.

A Kingston Council spokesperson said in a previous statement its primary concern was the "security and safety of our residents, elected members, staff and our local communities, whilst encouraging tolerance and community cohesion".

The spokesperson added the campaign was not led or endorsed by the council, and that it was looking into details surrounding the matter.