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The Boston City Council passed A resolution calling for a right away and everlasting ceasefire in Gaza was passed by a vote of 11 to 2 on Wednesday. The resolution also called for the discharge of hostages held by Hamas, the discharge of administrative prisoners held by Israel, an expansion of humanitarian assistance and other measures to guard “security and dignity.” [of] all Israelis and Palestinians.”
After the ultimate vote was counted, there was loud applause from those present within the Christopher A. Iannella Hall.
Councilmember Tania Fernandes Anderson, the primary Muslim American to serve on the body, was the driving force behind the resolution. She and her colleagues had tried several times to pass versions of a ceasefire resolution because the Oct. 7 attack. Fernandes Anderson addressed the failed attempts.
“I don’t think that’s a nasty thing. If anything, I believe it shows the determination of this body to be sure that now we have the flexibility to work together on difficult issues,” she said during Wednesday's meeting. “Our message is simple: All life is precious and it is time we stand up and demand an end to this senseless violence.”
Fernandes Anderson said council members worked with community members, interfaith organizations and advocates to find ways to have the greatest impact.
Councilmen Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy both voted against the resolution.
“I still believe that the city council is not the right body to deal with this matter. “We face critical issues for the city: the budget, public safety challenges, restoring our economy, neighborhood services,” Flynn said.
There was another vote on whether the resolution should be adopted by the city council or forwarded to a committee. Flynn said he initially wanted to block a vote on the resolution and that a committee hearing would be the appropriate place to discuss these issues. Fernandes Anderson convinced him to allow a vote, he said.
City Councilman Benjamin Weber, who is Jewish, drafted a ceasefire resolution earlier this year as one of his first priorities as a member of the body. Weber has heard from both Palestinian voters who are mourning loved ones in Gaza and from Jewish voters who feel that the pain of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel was not properly felt by Boston residents, he said.
“But I think this just shows how we need to create a space for healing in Boston,” Weber said.
Leaders in Cambridge and Somerville passed similar resolutions earlier this year.
Councilwoman Julia Mejia said finding common ground on such a contentious issue could help the City Council work better together and accomplish more for Boston residents.
“Ultimately, we are only able to truly work together when we are able to lead with love, compassion and the basic principles of humanity. And I think this act really brings us closer to that goal,” Mejia said.
The resolution also received support from U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a former Boston city councilwoman.
“From Boston to Gaza, our destinies are linked and our movement for peace and humanity continues to grow,” she said in a letter opinion. “With over 35,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis killed, over 100 hostages still held by Hamas, and millions at risk of starvation in Gaza, a permanent, bilateral ceasefire is needed to save lives, all hostages “The needs of Gaza are essential.”
On the other hand, Rob Leikind, director of the American Jewish Committee New England, called the resolution counterproductive.
“Rather than directly addressing the concerns that stand in the way of ending the violence, the Boston City Council has adopted a one-sided narrative that does not clearly present the obstacles to a ceasefire and is itself an obstacle to reducing the conflict,” he said in one opinion. “We would have hoped that the Boston City Council would have seized this opportunity to promote understanding and calm a polarized climate. Instead, it added fuel to the fire and offered no comfort to either the Palestinians or the Israelis.”
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