Ask the average Waukegan resident what’s important to them, and surely a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza isn’t at the top of their list. That hasn’t stopped members of the City Council from planning to vote for one.
As the Israel-Hamas War enters its 10th month, some elected city officials want to decide on some sort of vague resolution on the Mideast situation at Monday’s session of the City Council. It must be special if it’s taken this long to decide what to do with this pressing international topic.
There are plenty of local issues the City Council could be tackling instead. But apparently the squeaky wheel gets greased as a few proponents of a cease-fire resolution have lobbied for one at five consecutive City Council meetings.
Since the war started more than 100 cities and towns across America have passed propositions demanding a cease-fire to the hostilities. Major cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle and St. Louis have adopted resolutions calling on Congress to demand a cease-fire and the release of all Israeli hostages.
Unfortunately, the resolutions have made no difference in the continued fighting raging across the Palestinian territory. Backers of such resolutions hope adoption will send a message to the Biden administration and Congress about U.S. military and financial support of Israel.
This week, Israel launched a new military offensive in Gaza City with tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing bombings. Israeli negotiators also traveled to Egypt for a round of cease-fire talks aimed at bringing some respite.
In Waukegan, city officials first decided not to get engaged in international policy issues, but apparently some alders, like 4th Ward Ald. Victor Felix, now want to voice their concerns over what’s happening in the Middle East. Initially, Felix was one of those who noted at the May 6 meeting of the City Council that authoring a resolution is, “not an easy topic.”
Mayor Ann Taylor said she remains opposed to any cease-fire resolution related to the war because it does not deal with city government, according to a recent News-Sun story by Steve Sadin. She said the City Council’s focus should be on the welfare of Waukegan residents. With people in the community and beyond divided on their views of the conflict, she said a cease-fire resolution does not meet her requirement for taking a position on a national or global issue.
Like others, she sees the topic taking time and energy away from city issues. Of which Waukegan residents know there are many.
Those who have pressured the City Council to take a stand on the Hamas-Israeli War seem to emphasize the Palestinian cause, ignoring that Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 which touched off the hostilities and ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
In the terrorist raid, some 1,200 Israelis were killed and 240 taken hostage. About half the hostages were released or freed; the rest are believed to remain prisoners of Hamas. Some have been confirmed dead.
Those calling for a cease-fire resolution perhaps agree with those who on July 4 vandalized the Washington, D.C., office of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park. Calling it “a vile act of hate,” Schneider said in a statement posters of more than 100 people still held hostage in Gaza, including eight Americans, “were ripped from the wall, shredded and tossed across the hallway.”
Pro-Palestinian protesters also have targeted the congressman’s Highland Park home, he said, with masked demonstrators, “banging drums, blowing horns and screaming antisemitic chants” in the pre-dawn hours of June 29. There were no arrests.
“These actions don’t advance peace,” said Schneider, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who has been a staunch supporter of Israel. “Instead, they play directly into the hands of Hamas terrorists enabling them to continue to hold hostage not only those they kidnapped from Israel, but all civilians in Gaza as well.
“This is more like the Ku Klux Klan coming in the middle of the night with covered faces, like they’re going to burn a cross,” he said. “This is intimidation and scare tactics.”
It sounds like it is. That same intimidation has led Waukegan officials to get involved in geopolitics. One alder told reporter Sadin he received 400 e-mails on the topic. How many were actually from Waukegan he did not disclose.
One of the slew of local issues is that more than half the families in Waukegan Township — the bulk in the city — are not earning enough to afford basic necessities, according to a recent study. City officials should take a pass on any resolution about Gaza and concentrate on making Waukegan better for its residents.
Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.
sellenews@gmail.com
Twitter: @sellenews