Chicago’s City Council narrowly approved a resolution Wednesday calling for a permanent cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, with Mayor Brandon Johnson casting the tiebreaking vote.

Chicago is latest U.S. city to approve such a non-binding resolution, following Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco in recent months.

  • merc@sh.itjust.works
    616·
    10 months ago

    Why are city governments doing this?

    Cities have very little role in international diplomacy. If a city wants to support something like Black Lives Matter, at least that’s something related to what they do. They employ police who might not treat black people fairly, for example. But, it seems wrong to get involved in international diplomacy.

    For a different reason, schools also shouldn’t have a stance. Schools are supposed to be a “marketplace of ideas”. If a student council wants to take a stand, sure. If a Palestinian rights org on campus wants to hold a rally, that’s great. The school itself should stay out of it and simply provide a physically safe place for other people to express their ideas.

    • lone_faerie@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      191·
      10 months ago

      Why shouldn’t they? The city government represents the citizens of that city, who are calling for a ceasefire. They’re saying “we hear you and agree there should be a ceasefire”

      • merc@sh.itjust.works
        22·
        10 months ago

        Why shouldn’t they? They have no power to do anything, and it isn’t their business. Any time they spend on posturing about things they can’t have any impact on is time they can’t spend doing their actual jobs.

        • RagingRobot@lemmy.world
          3·
          10 months ago

          These city council meetings keep getting over run with citizens making statements about the situation and that is actually preventing them from doing other things. That’s why they passed this. So that the citizens will feel appeased and let them move on to their real business. It’s the citizens who are wasting the time in this case and if that’s their prerogative then so be it.

    • queermunist she/her
      73·
      10 months ago

      What if your city manufactures weapons for Israel?

      What if your school invests in Israel?

        • queermunist she/her
          34·
          10 months ago

          Cities grant building and zoning permits, sign contracts with private companies, and make property sales. They have a lot of influence on what kinds of businesses are allowed in.

          Or, again, it can be regulated by the city council.

          And schools shouldn’t invest, but they do, so therefore they have to be struggled against

          • merc@sh.itjust.works
            2·
            10 months ago

            Cities grant building and zoning permits

            And if the city’s serious about an issue, they should use those tools. Not make a bland statement about calling for a cease-fire. Actually punish companies selling weapons. But, that’s an actual step, calling for a cease-fire is more a “thoughts and prayers” approach that just wastes everyone’s time.

            As for universities, same thing. If they’re going to invest in things, then instead of making statements about Gaza or whatever, they should actively sell off investments. But, really, a university should be a stage people use to share their ideas. The stage shouldn’t be only open to the currently fashionable points of view.

            • queermunist she/her
              13·
              10 months ago

              Yeah, it’s definitely not enough.

              And universities are more likely to forbid Palestinian speakers 🙄

    • roastedDeflator@kbin.socialOP
      183·
      10 months ago

      Like Jewish Voice for Peace do? Ask for a ceasefire I mean. Or as they say:

      URGENT: Demand a ceasefire now.
      Millions of lives depend on it.

      Also, hope you don’t mind when they say:

      WE HAVE A PLAN TO END U.S. SUPPORT
      FOR ISRAEL’S OPPRESSION OF PALESTINIANS

      Jewish Voice for Peace is the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world.

      We’re organizing a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of U.S. Jews into solidarity with Palestinian freedom struggle.

      If you’ve been looking for a political home for Jews on the left in this perilous moment; if you’ve been wanting a Jewish community with justice at the center; if you’ve been looking to turn your rage and grief into meaningful, strategic action:
      Join us. You belong here.

  • zerog_bandit@lemmy.world
    621·
    10 months ago

    I hear a lot of complaining and have heard nothing about solutions that will get hostages released and security guarantees for Israel.

    • wahming@monyet.ccEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Could we get some guarantees for the Palestinians too? That the Israelis won’t use as toilet paper in a week?