A pro-Palestinian protest at UC Berkeley, Oct. 25, 2023 (Kevin Fagan/Twitter)
San Francisco lawmakers are set to vote on Tuesday on a proposal that calls for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Bay Area activists are adamant that failing to pass this resolution would be both racist and supportive of genocide.
The resolution, which acknowledges the “brutal attack” by Hamas militants, highlights the ongoing “armed violence” since October 7th. It urges a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, the provision of humanitarian aid, the release of hostages, and the condemnation of antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks. The resolution also cites the growing number of labor unions and other blue cities that have called for a ceasefire as justification.
This proposal from San Francisco is the latest high-profile attempt by a blue California city to involve itself in the conflict. It comes after anti-Israel protesters disrupted the state Democratic convention, Sacramento’s annual Christmas-tree lighting, and the state assembly. Despite facing an $800 million deficit and grappling with issues such as crime, homelessness, and economic crises, San Francisco lawmakers spent nearly six hours on Monday deliberating the resolution.
During the vetting committee, Supervisor Matt Dorsey proposed an amendment to acknowledge that Hamas is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization and to condemn their sexual violence against women. However, he faced opposition from activists in the legislative chamber, who jeered and shouted in disagreement. Dorsey described Hamas’s October 7th attack on Israel as “systematic and unprecedented in its cruelty,” highlighting a “pattern of rape, mutilation, and extreme brutality against women.” Progressive supervisor Dean Preston, coauthor of the resolution, sided with the activists, arguing that describing Hamas in this manner would make the resolution biased. He suggested that Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s retaliatory strikes should also be called out. Ultimately, the committee decided to proceed with the resolution, with Dorsey being the only lawmaker to vote against it.
Meanwhile, anti-Israel activists lined up to express their support for the resolution and criticize Dorsey’s amendment during a lengthy public comment period.
Rupa Marya, a UCSF physician and appointee by Gov. Gavin Newsom (D.) to a state health care commission, stated, “Any delay [to the call for ceasefire] is an act of racism when we have critical lives at stake.” Marya has recently made controversial posts on X (formerly Twitter), including one suggesting that the “presence of Zionism in US medicine should be examined as a structural impediment to health equity.” She also shared a chart attributing “trauma” and “inflammation” to “colonialism,” “supremacism,” and “capitalism.”
Lara Kiswani, executive director of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, an organization operating under the wing of a major Bay Area left-wing dark money group funded by billionaire George Soros, urged lawmakers not to “appease a pro-genocide agenda.” She argued that most San Franciscans and Americans support a ceasefire.
What are the main concerns raised by pro-Israel advocates in response to resolutions like the one in San Francisco?
The community who argued that such an amendment would derail the focus of the resolution. Ultimately, the amendment was voted down, and the resolution moved forward without it.
Pro-Palestinian activists argue that it is imperative for cities like San Francisco to take a stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They believe that the United States, as a global superpower and ally of Israel, has a moral obligation to hold Israel accountable for its actions. They argue that the Israeli government’s policies and actions towards the Palestinian people amount to apartheid and colonization, and that by supporting Israel, the U.S. is complicit in the violation of Palestinian human rights.
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been particularly devastating, with hundreds of Palestinians killed and thousands injured. The destruction of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and homes has created a humanitarian crisis in the region. Pro-Palestinian activists argue that a sustained ceasefire is necessary to prevent further loss of life and to ensure the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
Furthermore, they highlight the importance of condemning all forms of hate speech and violence against both Israelis and Palestinians. They argue that antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian sentiments fuel the conflict and perpetuate a cycle of violence and discrimination. By calling for the condemnation of such rhetoric and attacks, the resolution aims to promote peace, justice, and equality for all people involved in the conflict.
However, the pro-Israel camp argues that resolutions such as this one oversimplify a complex geopolitical issue and fail to take into account Israel’s legitimate security concerns. They argue that Hamas, recognized by the U.S. as a terrorist organization, poses a threat to the Israeli people with its rocket attacks and terrorist activities. They believe that a ceasefire should be contingent upon a complete disarmament of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza.
Moreover, they argue that resolutions like this can further divide communities and damage relationships between different ethnic and religious groups, including Jewish and Muslim communities. They call for engagement and dialogue rather than political gestures that may deepen divisions.
The pro-Palestinian protest at UC Berkeley on October 25th reflects a growing concern and awareness of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict among young people. Students and activists on campuses across the country have been mobilizing to raise awareness, advocate for justice, and pressure their institutions to divest from companies that profit from the occupation of Palestinian territories.
While the resolution in San Francisco is a step towards addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the local level, it remains to be seen how effective such measures can be in influencing international policy and bringing about meaningful change. The conflict is deeply entrenched and has defied resolution for decades. However, the increasing activism and awareness around the issue give hope for a future where peace and justice prevail in the region.
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