Council Comes Together on Middle East Declaration

In front of a crowded house, the Pasadena City Council unanimously approved a declaration establishing the City’s official position on the conflict in the Middle East.

The declaration incorporated portions of a draft resolution and a draft declaration, one by Councilmember Jess Rivas and one by Mayor Victor Gordo, respectively. Both call for a cease-fire, the release of all hostages, condemn war and urge peace. The resulting declaration was passed.

“I think this language makes clear we are pursuing peace and we are asking our federal legislators and president to work towards a peaceful resolution in the Middle East,” Gordo said.

Rivas continuously called on the City Council to adopt a resolution calling for a cease-fire and the release of all hostages in the conflict.

It was clear from the beginning of deliberations that Councilmembers were struggling with finding a way forward on the matter.

Several Jewish people said that a cease-fire could lead to antisemitism.

“I won’t tell a Black person something is not racist and I will not tell a Jewish person something is not antisemitic,” said Councilmember Jason Lyon, who said that after dozens of phone calls from people on both sides of the issue, he needed to hear from other councilmembers.

However, Lyon was sure that the City Council should take action.

After continued discussion, Gordo introduced his declaration, which was combined with a draft resolution authored by Rivas.

After a series of friendly amendments were all accepted by Councilmember Felicia Williams, who called for Mayor Gordo’s declaration to be adopted, elected officials came to a consensus on the matter.

The declaration will be sent to the congressional representatives on Tuesday.

One person was removed for disrupting the meeting as the City Council discussed wording urging President Joe Biden to continue his work on the matter.

Gordo said that he believed everyone in the room believed war is atrocious and unacceptable.

“We should do everything we can to avoid conflict in any part of the world,” Gordo said.

Justin Jones added …
“It’s our duty to stand with the least of these and the marginalized ; and I commit to bridging the gap so that residents voice in Pasadena are heard.”

The resolution is a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has led to the death of thousands of people and hundreds of others have been taken hostage.

However, the action is strictly symbolic. The City Council has no say in foreign affairs.

The City Council took action after 200 people publicly spoke, many of them supporting a cease-fire and sometimes booing Jewish people who opposed a cease-fire.

“This night scares me to death. People equating Israel with the Nazis is unreal and this needs to stop,” said Arnie Siegel. “If you think the Israelis don’t want a cease-fire, but you need a bilateral agreement and Hamas does not believe in the state of Israel.”

Many of the speakers had recently visited the area.

“Freedom of speech and freedom to protest was always limited here,” said Gaia Dan, a 23-year-old Jewish Israeli from Haifa in an email read by a friend.

“But these days it’s almost impossible to say you are against the war without fearing for your safety or your freedom being taken away. It’s even more dangerous if you are a Palestinian. During my arrest a month ago following a protest in Haifa, the cops kept chanting about returning to the settlements and about killing the people of Gaza.”

Those opposing the cease-fire said that international matters are outside of the City Council’s purview.

“Adopting a resolution tonight, you will not change what is happening 7,500 miles away,” said Jason Moss. “You won’t stop the innocent children dying or bring an end to the suffering. But, I can tell with 100% certainty that your decision could have dire consequences on the Jewish community, particularly Jewish children, right here in Pasadena.”

According to Moss, he has been grappling with verbal and physical threats since the Oct. 7 attacks.

“Jews are seen as Israel’s proxies, so people are taking their anger and frustration toward Israel out on us.”

Last week, the City Council agreed to discuss a resolution after cease-fire supporters implored the City Council to vote on a resolution.

But although supporters of a cease-fire faced no opposition during last week’s meeting, the other side soon began speaking out in email correspondence to City Clerk Mark Jomsky.

Jomsky’s office received thousands of emails regarding the issue.

Some Councilmembers also received similar amounts of email.

Jomsky said all of the correspondence would be posted, but his staff could take weeks to do so.

So far more than 40 links to the correspondence, each containing multiple emails, have been posted in the agenda on the City’s website.

The one-item agenda was moved to the Convention Center to accommodate the large crowd.

Here is the full text of the declaration:

“WHEREAS, the City of Pasadena advocates for peace, safety, dignity, freedom, and equality for all people, and is comprised of diverse individuals whose collective cultures, religions, backgrounds, orientations, abilities, and viewpoints join to form a community that prides itself on being welcoming and accepting of people from all walks of life; and

WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has claimed the lives of many individuals in the region, caused immeasurable suffering to countless persons, and continued risk of death is imminent if the release of hostages and a ceasefire does not take place; and

WHEREAS, at its meeting of March 22, 2021 , the City Council affirmed its commitment to inclusion and advancement of diversity and equity for people of all ethnicities, national origins, and backgrounds with the unanimous passage of

Resolution 9831 which condemns hate and xenophobic violence against all persons and affirms that the City of Pasadena and all levels of government must stand united in combating intolerance, xenophobia, discrimination, and hate against those of varying ethnicities, religious beliefs, genders, and backgrounds;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DECLARED by the City Council of the City of Pasadena that:

Section 1: The City of Pasadena continues to stand firmly behind Resolution 9831 and the principles of peace, unity, respect, understanding, and valuing the sanctity of human life.

Section 2: 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 ceasefire, 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.

Section 3: The City Council requests a copy of this declaration be sent to the offices of Congressmembers Judy Chu and Adam Schiff, Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, and President Joe Biden.”