From:
To: City Council
Subject: Agenda Item # 4 Resolution regarding Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas Date: Friday, February 16, 2024 1:23:46 PM
Dear Mayor Gardner Rich and Council Members,
In regard to the resolution to be adopted at your next council meeting, permit me to respectfully request that the resolution not be adopted.
In going over the wording of the resolution, I realize that every attempt has been made to argue the issues regarding both sides in a fair and equitable manner.
However, as I’m sure you are fully aware, there is a broad perception that the very call for a Cease Fire at this time is tilted towards the side that loudly proclaims anti-Zionism and in its train, anti-Semitic tropes. In appealing to humanitarian concerns, equivalence is given to both sides. While the claim for aid and relief for the citizens of Gaza is of extreme importance, the concerns regarding the barbarity committed by Hamas against the Israelis and Hamas' refusal to release the remaining hostages, the cruel ways in which they, themselves, threaten the citizens of Gaza - to the point of preventing their own people from receiving the aid that is able to get through, as well as other act of cruelty, complicate the path of a just solution.
There was, in fact, a cease-fire in place at the time of the initial attack. Consequently, there is every reason to believe that Hamas will simply take advantage of a call for a cease-fire if Israel complies. We know that billions of dollars of foreign aid were spent in the construction of the tunnels, very little, by contrast in building a secure infrastructure for Gaza’s citizens.
Perhaps the greatest reason for the current perception of unfairness, is the nagging question; Where was the outcry when the intial attack with all its cruelty and unspeakable barbarity took place? The fact is, Israel, initially waited to see if there might be some resolution at that early stage.
I am led to believe that Hamas and its allies, knew exactly what they were doing in committing such an outrage. Consider how the United States reacted after 9/11- or “Pearl Harbor.”
Like yourselves, I detest war. It creates far greater problems than it solves. I do not condone many of the policies that Israel has instituted regarding Palestinians and would love to see a fair and equitable solution for all the inhabitants of that region. However, calling for a Ceasefire at this time - especially without the return of the hostages - results in little more than the appearance of taking sides.
I am certain that this was never the intention of the Council. Hence my appeal to you not to adopt this resolution.
Respectfully yours,
Mordecai Miller. (Rabbi)