As Israel’s war on Gaza approaches its fourth month, Chicago has become the latest American city to demand a lasting ceasefire. This puts additional pressure on President Joe Biden to assist in putting an end to the violence before November’s election.
The third-largest city in the US had its council members accept the nonbinding resolution 24-23 on Wednesday, following weeks of boisterous public meetings. Mayor Brandon Johnson, who also had to temporarily clear the council rooms during the heated discussion, cast the tie-breaking vote.
The symbolic statement demands the release of all detainees imprisoned in the enclave as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Do I think that the things we say and the votes we cast today have a direct impact on world policy? I’m not. One of the proponents of the proposal, Alderman Daniel La Spata, declared, “I don’t have those illusions.” However, we cast our votes with optimism. We cast our votes together. In a world of quiet, we vote to give people a sense of being heard.
The policy hasn’t altered much in the last six months, despite the lone Jewish member of the council, Alderwoman Debra Silverstein, pushing for stronger backing for Israel and condemnation of Hamas.
“Everyone wants the war and the bloodshed to end. However, it is critical to comprehend the root of the dispute, and we ought to approve a resolution that appropriately handles the matter, she stated during the meeting. “Unless a resolution explicitly states that Hamas cannot and should not attack again, we should not pass it.”
