City’s Declaration on Middle East Conflict Headed to Washington

A declaration calling for a bilateral cease-fire and peace in Gaza has been sent by the Pasadena City Council to local members of Congress and the President, according to Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian.

Derderian said the document was mailed yesterday.

Mayor Victor Gordo assured a packed house at the Convention Center during the meeting that the document would be mailed to Rep. Judy Chu and Adam Schiff, Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, and President Joe Biden.

The City Council reached an agreement on Monday following a five-hour lengthy meeting to draft a declaration calling for peace, bilateral de-escalation, and a cease-fire. 

“The City of Pasadena calls on leaders at the federal level to continue to work cooperatively with the global community to release all hostages, seek bilateral de-escalation and cease-fire, ensure timely delivery of aid to Gaza, and pursue peace in the Middle East to guard and protect the lives, health, and security of all innocent civilians,” the declaration reads.

The document was signed by Mayor Victor Gordo.

The declaration is symbolic as the Pasadena City Council has no say in international matters.

More than 200 people spoke at Monday’s meeting. Supporters of the cease-fire resolution demanded the City Council take a stance on the conflict. Many in the opposition said the City should not get involved in international affairs because it could lead to hate crimes and antisemitism. On Tuesday, local groups expressed their thanks for the actions taken by the City Council. “On behalf of the local Jewish community, I thank Mayor Gordo and the entire Pasadena City Council for the statement they made by adopting the declaration they did during tonight’s meeting,” said Jason Moss, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation.

“The Jewish community felt heard, recognized, and valued for the experiences we have had and felt since October 7, and the continued efforts the City of Pasadena has made to stand up to hate of all kinds, including antisemitism.” Moss continued, “I am proud so many in the community showed up tonight, sent messages to City Council members, and made sure the local Jewish community’s collective voice was heard.”

Local activist Peter Dreier expressed support for a cease-fire but also called for the safe return and release of the hostages.

“A cease-fire must include Hamas’s return of the Israeli hostages and Israel and Hamas allowing humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and be distributed to those in need,” Dreier said. “I support a self-governing Palestinian state, but not one controlled by Hamas, which is a fascist, anti-gay, and anti-women terrorist organization that believes in the mass murder of Jews.”

Dreier said he supports the right of Jews to have a self-governing state of their own and at the same time opposes Netanyahu’s racist government, the occupation of Arab areas by Israeli settlers, and Israel’s continued atrocities in Gaza. “A two-state solution is the only solution with the potential to create lasting peace. I support groups like Standing Together – Israeli Jews and Palestinians working together for peace.”