From:
To: City Council
Subject: Ceasefire resolution
Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 3:01:06 PM
I hope you will read all of this.
Ceasefire Resolution: I trust it didn't surprise you that folks were angry at that last meeting and I suspect your inboxes have been full of messages from hurt and angry people. When the killing stops there will be a very complicated process that comes next for Israel and the Palestinians. I don't know how you all feel about the oppression under which the Palestinians have lived for decades and I am not interested in filling in your historical knowledge gaps.
This is my story. I am old, old enough to have very mature children and four grandchildren, from 22 to 10. A year after graduating from university I met, fell in love with and married a Palestinian man. We made two wonderful children. Their heritage is Palestinian and European American. My oldest, Susan, identifies strongly with her Palestinian heritage, has visited Palestine several times and has family there. At one point as we lived through this ceasefire resolution process when I was amazed at the city council's reluctance to bring this to a vote, Susan said to me, "Why are you surprised, they don't care about us (Palestinians)." That is the message you have conveyed. I don't know what you can do to find the love in your hearts for all and undo the damage done.
I am not going to make this easy by saying how much pressure you must have been under and that you did what you thought best for our community. My heart hurts too much for that easy out.
Jeanie Bates