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Calls for a Ceasefire in Gaza Increase from U.S. City Councils

Calls for a Ceasefire in Gaza Increase from U.S. City Councils

A Reuters analysis of city data showed that around 70 American cities, including Chicago and Seattle, have issued resolutions regarding the war between Israel and Gaza, most of which call for a ceasefire. This adds pressure on President Joe Biden to help end the fighting before the elections scheduled for November. At least 48 cities have passed symbolic resolutions urging an end to the Israeli bombing of Gaza, while six others have called more broadly for peace. At least 20 resolutions have condemned Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7.

Most of the resolutions calling for a ceasefire were passed in Democratic-leaning states like California, though at least 14 resolutions were passed in battleground states such as Michigan, which could be crucial for Biden's reelection attempt against former Republican President Donald Trump. The Biden administration has rejected calls for a ceasefire, arguing that halting Israeli operations would benefit Hamas. Critics of the city resolutions argue that they have no tangible impact on national policy and distract from domestic issues.

Gabriela Santiago Romero, a member of the Detroit City Council who voted for the ceasefire resolution in Michigan's largest city, stated that it reflects frustration, particularly among young and non-white officials towards Biden and other Democratic leaders. She added, "We want leadership that is willing to listen to us." Romero emphasized that Democrats should "listen to the youth, invest in diversity, and invest in people who align with the values and actually listen to their constituents."

In response to a request for comment, the White House, which said it is urging Israel to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza, reiterated previous statements that a ceasefire would only benefit Hamas. Chicago became the largest city to call for a ceasefire in a closely contested vote that ended in a tie, 23 to 23, before Mayor Brandon Johnson cast the deciding vote in favor of the resolution.

Reuters gathered data from 70 cities that issued resolutions or statements regarding the Gaza war following Hamas's attack on Israel, which it claims resulted in 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages taken. The areas include major cities like San Francisco and smaller ones like Carrboro in North Carolina and Wilmington in Delaware, Biden's home state.

Many ceasefire calls were framed similarly to the "Ceasefire Now" resolution by Congresswoman Cori Bush of Missouri, also urging the release of hostages and increased aid to Gaza, where health officials report that Israeli bombing has resulted in over 26,600 Palestinian deaths.

At least nine ceasefire calls have been made in Michigan, where Arab Americans constitute five percent of voters, and Biden's margin of victory over Trump in the 2020 election was less than three percent. A poll indicated that support for Biden among Arab Americans has dropped to 17 percent from 59 percent in 2020. Democratic strategist Douglas Wilson in the swing state of North Carolina said, "This war will be on voters' minds." He added, "This will be a problem here and in all swing states because of the Muslim population in these states, the Jewish population in these states, and the Black and colored populations in these states."

U.S. support for Israel throughout the war has sharply divided Americans, leading to protests across the country in support of both Israel and Gaza. However, a Reuters poll conducted last year showed bipartisan support in both the Republican and Democratic parties for a ceasefire. Some critics of the ceasefire calls in American cities argue that they are premature.

Tyler Gregory, chairman of the Jewish Community Relations Council in San Francisco, condemned the calls as one-sided, stating, "A ceasefire cannot be declared (with) a terrorist organization that has vowed to do it again." However, some city officials noted that ceasefire calls also received support from Jewish voters. Hillary Ronen, a supervisor on the San Francisco City Council, said hundreds of Jewish and Muslim residents urged her to vote in favor of the resolution that passed in the city, one of the largest to approve it. Ronen added, "For those like me, Jews with family members in Israel, it is extremely important for us to take a stand against this war."

Mohammed Khair, policy director at the American Campaign for Palestinian Rights, stated that advocates "hope those with local or federal voting power recognize their Palestinian constituents." Analysts have warned that local frustration with Biden could hurt him at the polls through lower voter turnout, although much can change before the November 5 elections. Nadia Brown, a government professor at Georgetown University, noted that many Democratic activists "do not see voting or engaging in national-level activities as a means to achieve the changes they desire."

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