Three Council members call for Middle East cease-fire

Responding to calls from the community seeking a City Council resolution supporting a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, Council members Vanessa Fuentes, Zo Qadri and José Velásquez released a statement Thursday calling for peace.

The statement reads:

“Whether it be Palestinians, Israelis or Austinites, innocent civilians deserve to live in peace. Our hearts break for all those hurting. While a short-term cease-fire and the release of some hostages was welcomed news, we must see the immediate release of all hostages and a permanent cease-fire. We need lasting peace in the region.”

It concludes by promising to continue resisting against antisemitism, Islamophobia and “all other forms of hate that make their way into our community.”

A large group of citizens in favor of a cease-fire sat in the audience during Thursday’s meeting, while others stood at the back of the chambers hoisting signs declaring their support. They were members of the Austin for Palestine Coalition, which called for Council to adopt a cease-fire resolution put forth by the Human Rights Commission. There were so many demonstrators that city employees had to limit the number of people entering the chambers. All of those speaking during citizen communication were there to ask for a Council resolution on a cease-fire. When they had finished, Fuentes thanked all those who had called and emailed Council offices on the topic and she reiterated the city’s commitment to combat hate.

Qadri, who is the first Muslim to be elected to Council, said he feels a great deal of “heaviness in our community.” He noted that a community member who is Jewish had told him he was afraid to wear his Star of David necklace, and others have shared their fear of wearing a hijab, the Muslim headscarf. Qadri noted that the city has done a lot to combat hate, including establishing a hate crimes task force and the We All Belong campaign spearheaded by Council Member Alison Alter.

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