Citing the additional “division” it might trigger, a Jewish member of the Boston City Council withdrew a decision that sought the physique’s assist for a negotiated cease-fire within the Israel-Hamas War.
Filed by City Councilor Benjamin Weber, the pulled decision known as for a “negotiated cease-fire by both the Netanyahu administration and Hamas, including return of all hostages currently being held by Hamas and immediate distribution of humanitarian aid to people living in Gaza.”
“It has come to my attention today that the language of the resolution I drafted may cause more division, which is the opposite of what I had hoped to do,” Weber mentioned at a Wednesday City Council assembly.
“Out of respect to my Council colleagues and members of the Boston community, I withdraw this resolution today to have further conversations.”
Weber, when reached Tuesday evening, mentioned he was placing the ultimate touches on a prolonged speech he deliberate to offer on the following day’s assembly, explaining his rationale for the decision, which he mentioned was much like measures handed by metropolis councils in Cambridge, Somerville and Medford.
He delivered an abbreviated model of that speech Wednesday, mentioning that whereas he at all times felt a powerful connection to Israel and its proper to exist, which deepened upon watching experiences of the Oct. 7 terrorist assault dedicated by Hamas, “being Jewish does not mean that I have to agree with everything that the Israeli government does.”
“I cannot ignore the pain and suffering of Palestininians in Gaza or Palestinian families living in Massachusetts who are watching the events in Gaza in horror too,” Weber mentioned. “I thought that if I could speak to the different groups, even if I failed to come up with a resolution, I might at least start a dialogue.”
His ready remarks, shared with the Herald, known as for a “two-state solution” for Israel and Palestine.
Weber mentioned he left his preliminary conversations with Palestinian and Jewish neighborhood teams “hopeful.” He heard primarily constructive suggestions on Monday, when he filed the decision, and the next day, however on Wednesday, he started listening to “concerning” suggestions from either side, who have been important of among the language.
Speaking with the Herald, Weber mentioned he was uncertain if he would file a cease-fire decision at a future date, saying that he would take a go if he was unable to “reach consensus” from either side of the problem. He withdrew the day’s decision as a result of he had been unable to do this, he mentioned.
“I do think there is a large group of people in Boston who just want to see some pause in what’s happening in Gaza and the return of the hostages,” Weber mentioned. “Hopefully I can put forward a resolution that shows we support that, and that doesn’t meet with the opposition from people in both camps.”
Two dueling resolutions associated to the Israel-Hamas War got here earlier than the physique in October, once they have been hotly debated, however died after being referred to committee.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”