We Get Letters About The Cease-Fire

I believe one item in Pasadena Now’s reporting of the Council meeting is not quite accurate. I don’t believe any of those speaking last night opposed a cease-fire. However, many did oppose a demand for a unilateral cease-fire without the concomitant release of hostages.

Any cease-fire, as the final Declaration approved by the Council notes, must be a negotiated bilateral cease-fire — that is, a stand-down agreed to by both sides, so that missile attacks into Israel from Gaza cease just as Israeli attacks on Gaza would cease — and this must also involve the release of the remaining hostages. Yes, that’s a little complicated, and it doesn’t fit neatly into one sentence, but that is a more accurate description of what many speakers were calling for, in opposition to the unrealistic calls for an immediate cease-fire without any mention of the fate of over 100 hostages, including several Americans.

Jon Fuhrman