The Chicago city council passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and condemning Israel, with the mayor providing the tie-breaking vote.
The measure is symbolic and has no legal impact, but it illustrates the Democratic Party’s stance against Israel.
The Israeli Consulate criticized the vote, and concerns were raised about the city council’s focus on international issues instead of addressing local problems such as rising crime rates and antisemitism.
BREAKING: Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson just joined the call for a #CeasefireNOW. pic.twitter.com/ERefUob1bI
— Сeasefire Tracker (@Ceasefire_Track) January 24, 2024
“Today we say we care because it matters here at home as well and we care about our brothers and sisters in Palestine, and today we say yes to cease-fire, yes to the resolution, yes to change here in Chicago and across the world,” 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez said.
“The cease-fire resolution that has been proposed has been vetoed by President Biden, is opposed by Hamas, but yet City Council and the mayor think they know better than all of the international players out there dealing with this and living with this issue,” Alderman Lopez said.
“This resolution undermines the position of the Biden Administration, the International Court of Justice, and the European Union and the overwhelming majority of Americans who understand that the release of all the hostages held in Gaza and dismantling Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure are preconditions to any ceasefire,” the Israeli Consulate wrote.
Last year, Chicago saw a slight drop in homicides but still ended with high murder rates, and antisemitic incidents have increased significantly in the city.
