In a move that’s raising eyebrows and sparking strong debate, the city council in Richmond, California, passed a controversial resolution late Tuesday supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez presented a resolution calling for the city to stand “in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza” which passed by a 5-1 vote, accusing Israel of “ethnic cleansing and collective punishment.”
This action is causing many to question why a city council is diving into hot-button international issues, creating hostile division, instead of focusing on local matters.
The resolution says Israel’s blockade of Gaza is a form of “collective punishment in response to Hamas attacks on Israel.” It also claims that Israel is telling “2 million Palestinians to leave Gaza immediately or risk being bombed in their homes by the Israeli army.”
But critics are asking why a city council is getting involved in a complex foreign policy issue. They say that the council’s job is to deal with local issues and that stepping into global politics only divides the community.
Local residents have strongly opposed the resolution. One person, of Jewish heritage, said the resolution is “full of lies that will only incentivize the Hamas Nazi terrorists.” Another resident warned, “Do not greenlight the endless attempts to kill more Jews.”
Mayor Martinez defended the resolution against accusations of being antisemitic. “There has not been one single word that says we are against the Jewish people,” he said.
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Still, many argue that the mayor and council have stirred up division and controversy that goes beyond what a city council should be dealing with.
Only one council member, Cesar Zepeda, voted against the resolution. He told the San Francisco Chronicle he did so because he’s worried it could split the community. “I seek to bring everyone together in a community for peace,” he said.
The Bay Area Chapter of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) has condemned the resolution.
“JCRC Bay Area condemns the resolution calling for the City of Richmond to stand “in solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza” that was passed yesterday. The evening’s procedures were marked by chaos and lack of decorum,” the statement read.
“Hamas had a great night in Richmond, with five hours of chaos and unrelenting repulsive speech against Israel and Jews,” said Tyler Gregory, JCRC Bay Area CEO.
“The council demonstrated profound ignorance and incompetence. Richmond could not bring itself to condemn mass murder against Jewish civilians and is not a safe place for Jews. There will be consequences for this taxpayer-funded circus,” he continued.
The Richmond city council’s venture into international politics has done nothing but create rifts in their own community. Their ignorant support of a murderous and wicked regime against the Jewish people of their own community is beyond the pale. Shame on them!
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