Somerville, Massachusetts CEASEFIRE resolution passed January 25, 2024
Resolution - In support of an enduring ceasefire in Gaza
The Somerville City Council recognizes that all human life is precious, regardless of race, religion, or nationality; and
Since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 240 taken hostage, over 24,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 60,000 wounded, including enormous numbers of children; and
The ongoing military campaign and blockade of Gaza has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, including the displacement of approximately 1.9 million people (85% of Gaza’s population), the near total destruction of the healthcare system and civilian infrastructure, with the World Health Organization reporting that all Gazan hospitals have been destroyed or seriously damaged, and nearly 2.2 million people at “imminent risk of famine,” according to the United Nations; and
Our Federal delegation has been outspoken on this issue, including MA-7 Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley who has been a leading advocate for a ceasefire, who recently wrote “[L]et us recommit ourselves to the belief that life is precious through demanding a ceasefire, which is the best way to save lives, return all hostages, and deliver the humanitarian aid desperately needed in Gaza,”; and
Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey recently wrote “We must also resume the ceasefire that allowed for desperately needed humanitarian aid to get into Gaza and that facilitated the release of 105 hostages so that all hostages taken by Hamas on October 7 are freed”; and
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote, in response to the temporary ceasefire of November 2023, that the continuing military campaign “has resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe, the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza, and endangered the region’s long-term stability...I’ve repeatedly urged the Israeli government to stop the bombing in Gaza, and I’ve pressed for massive humanitarian aid for civilians. Hamas must release the remaining hostages and stop its attacks. The Israeli government should not resume bombing in Gaza, which would be a grave strategic and moral mistake”; and
On October 26, 2023, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza, and numerous international humanitarian organizations have similarly called for a sustained ceasefire; and
Members of the Somerville community, including Palestinians, Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and others, are experiencing trauma, grief, shock and fear, compounded by increased incidents of Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian racism, both nationally and locally; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED That the Somerville City Council affirms the right of all Palestinian civilians and Israeli civilians to live in peace; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED That the Somerville City Council supports an enduring ceasefire and/or any means to support long-lasting peace, the provision of life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza, and the release of all hostages; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED That the Somerville City Council recognizes Israel’s right to defend itself within the bounds of international law, and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7th; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED That the Somerville City Council condemns antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, anti- Israeli, anti-Arab, Islamophobic, and all xenophobic rhetoric and attacks; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED That the Somerville City Council urges the Biden Administration, Senate and Congress to work towards an enduring ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED That a copy of this resolution be sent to each member of our federal delegation and to President Biden, urging them to use their position to enact a sustained ceasefire.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Meeting minutes:
Councilor Pineda Neufeld assumed the Chair.
Councilor Ewen-Campen spoke on the Resolution saying that the ongoing military campaign has killed tens of thousands people, and continues to do so, adding that a ceasefire is a cessation of fighting and is the first step in working towards a lasting peace. He said the City Council has tools to advocate to legislative bodies above it and, since he feels that this is a deep concern of many in Somerville, he asked that the Resolution be sent to elected officials in our own government asking them to do everything in their power to change U.S. policy. He noted that some have told him that they find this Resolution painful, offensive, and divisive. He ended his comments by repeating a phrase he heard at an interfaith vigil last night: “A life lost is a whole world lost and a life saved is a whole world saved.”
Councilor Ewen-Campen sponsored Alain Jehlen and Jamal Halawa to address the Council. Mr. Halawa, a Palestinian, related a story of persecution perpetrated upon his family by the Israelis. He said the current war has killed 25,000 Palestinians in the last 100 days in Gaza. He noted the anti-Palestinian harassment and graffiti in Somerville and claimed that Israel is blocking aid from reaching the people in Gaza. He urged the Council to pass the Resolution. Alain Jehlen, a Jew, spoke of his father being in a concentration camp. He said it makes him furious that Israel’s actions in the war is not to protect its people. If Israel’s Jews are to be safe, they need to recognize the rights of the Palestinians. He urged the Council to pass this Resolution, adding that thousands of people are dying and that the United States could stop the war.
Councilor Burnley said that this Resolution represents a spark of hope. He said that Israel has had Gaza under siege for years. He stated that ceasefire means reproductive justice and ending this one-sided massacre. He added that 30% of people believe that Israel is committing genocide. He said that the actions of our government show that Palestinian lives don’t matter. He sponsored Jake Margolin to address the Council. Mr. Margolin, a Jew, said he supports this Resolution, adding that Jews are all safer if there is agreement that every life is important. The death and destruction happening now fails to keep Jews safe. He went on to say that our taxes are funding this war, so it is our place to speak out. He urged the Council to pass this Resolution. Councilor Burnley also sponsored Carina Kurban to address the Council. Ms. Kurban spoke about her family, who is from Lebanon, and said that her grandfather grew up in Gaza and was displaced by the Israelis. Her father grew up in Beirut and lived through Israeli bombings and she said that Israel is again bombing in Lebanon. She spoke of personally being detained and deported from Palestine by the Israeli army when she went there to do research for her thesis. She urged the Council to pass this Resolution.
Councilor Sait commented that she hears the pain and suffering of her constituents. She asked what our silence says about us and then sponsored Ivan Abarca to address the Council. Mr. Abarca spoke about the citation presented to him recently by the City Council and he spoke about growing up in Mexico and his time as a Mexican Diplomat to various areas, including Israel. He told those present that he lived and studied in Israel and that he is here to speak in favor of innocent Palestinians and to save human life. He has worked to promote peace and said voting in favor of a ceasefire is a balanced solution and if it saves only one life, it will go a long way. He told councilors that voting in favor of this Resolution only makes them more human.
President Pineda Neufeld sponsored Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz to address the Council. Rabbi Eliana urged the Council not to vote in favor of this Resolution. She is an Israeli who lived through two terrorist attacks. She came to Somerville because she believes that immigrants can build a life here. She is not opposed to a ceasefire but this Resolution makes her feel unwelcomed here, adding that she is experiencing hate in the city. She noted that Israeli people are also being killed. Rabbi Eliana commented that Somerville should be a sanctuary for all people living here and she is hoping that Somerville might effect change for the people here in this city. She said that no matter the vote on this tonight, we’ve already lost.
Councilor Strezo sponsored Marya Axner to speak. Ms. Axner said that the whole thing is a setup arranged by power hungry groups and that Somerville needs to figure out how to overcome its divisions. She is in favor of a ceasefire on all sides and said that blaming one side or the other will not work. Antisemitism seeks to blame Jews for everything that goes wrong. She would like the Resolution to say that Palestinians also need a homeland
President Pineda Neufeld sponsored Sam Gechter to speak. Mr. Gechter said that he’s afraid that by speaking he’s putting a target on his face. He said that some people are free to speak and also free to intimidate. He said that we should learn from each other and he asked the Council to vote no on this Resolution. Mr. Gechter noted the lack of acknowledgment of the actions of Hamas and the deaths of Israelis and he pointed out that a ceasefire was in effect on October 7th when Hamas perpetrated this atrocity. Palestinians suffer under Hamas and things have gotten worse, in spite of many ceasefires. He noted Hamas’s declaration to commit genocide of the Jews and said that a call for a ceasefire without calling for the removal of Hamas is a call for the destruction of the Jewish state.
Councilor Strezo sponsored Heddy Stern to speak. She is a descendent of holocaust survivors and spoke of the atrocities done by Hamas on October 7th. She claimed that this Resolution misquotes elected officials, adding that its language is problematic and that there are options available. She offered an alternative to not vote on this Resolution today and not to pass this particular Resolution.
Councilor Davis said he wants people to stop dying. He is profoundly sad and disappointed that this is being discussed, as the only thing it accomplishes is to deepen the division in the city. He said that this Resolution has caused pain in the city and that there were other ways to do this. He doesn’t think there’s a good way forward with this Resolution. He commented that he received in excess of 1,300 emails on this item. Councilor Davis noted that the City Council has limited power and this item impacted some of the councilors’ other meetings. He asked if there’s a way to move forward tonight without a yes or no vote on the item, adding that the actions of this Council aren’t going to change any minds on a national scale.
Councilor McLaughlin said he could feel the tension in the room and he’s hoping that this doesn’t follow the path of some other communities. He fears the anger that’s building up inside of people on all sides of the issue. Councilor Strezo said this is a chance to look into each other’s eyes and see the humanity. She said that her concerns with this Resolution is the divisiveness it could potentially cause. She commented how Jews in the city are fearful for their families’ safety. Councilor Clingan said he doesn’t like being forced to choose a side and if a vote is taken, he will abstain by leaving the chamber during the vote. Councilor Wilson said that he ran for office to deal with local issues. He said he will support the Resolution to vote for peace and against hate. Councilor Scott noted some past Resolutions brought before the Council that dealt with national and international issues. Councilor Mbah said that he will be supporting the Resolution because it focuses on the sanctity of human life.
Councilor Ewen-Campen stated his desire to vote on this Resolution this evening. He said that he knew that this would be a difficult experience and he did his absolute best to put forth something that people could agree with. He said he was referring to the mass detention of people being tortured when he mentioned “detainees.” He would have no opposition to including Israeli language as well as language condemning the attacks by Hamas. Councilor Davis feels that the way the Council does business is through its committees and moving this forward tonight is contrary to that practice. He asked Councilor Ewen-Campen to reconsider his desire to vote on the item tonight. Councilor Ewen-Campen stated his personal conviction to vote on the item tonight.
The item was laid on the table for a period of time while language changes were being discussed. The item was then removed from the table and put before the Council.
Councilor Ewen-Campen said that some amendments were made to the original Resolution. Councilor Burnley would like to remove the “and/or” and change it to “and.” Councilor Davis commented that the changes were based on comments received from constituents and acknowledges some of the sentiments expressed. Councilor McLaughlin supports the amended version. The amendments were approved on a unanimous roll call vote of 11 in favor.
Councilor Strezo proposed a dismantling of Hamas in support of a lasting peace and Councilor Ewen-Campen opposed that amendment. Councilor Strezo proposed an amendment “That the City Council demands a dismantling of Hamas as part of a cease fire and for lasting peace and a dismantling of the Netanyahu Administration.” Councilor Ewen-Campen opposed that amendment. Councilor Strezo stated that she thinks her amendment would help with the feeling of isolation that some feel. Councilor Clingan said he doesn’t know what “dismantling” means and this amendment just muddies the waters and Councilor McLaughlin said this highlights just how absurd this is getting. Councilor Davis has concerns about approving this amendment. Councilor Strezo asked councilors to support her amendment. The amendment was defeated on a roll call vote of 5 in favor (McLaughlin, Wilson, Clingan, Strezo, Pineda Neufeld), 6 opposed (Davis, Sait, Scott, Mbah, Burnley, Ewen-Campen) and none absent.
Finally, a vote on the Resolution, as amended, was taken. The item passed on a roll call vote of 9 in favor (McLaughlin, Davis, Wilson, Sait, Scott, Mbah, Burnley, Clingan, Ewen-Campen), 2 opposed (Strezo, Pineda Neufeld) and none absent.
Councilor Ewen-Campen assumed the Chair.