The Baltimore City Council tried and failed a second time to pass a resolution condemning Hamas and antisemitism as the Israel-Hamas war continues.The first attempt came Monday when four members abstained from the vote.”I abstained from the vote on Monday because I know we have a vibrant Muslim population that was not included in this resolution, and they should be included in this resolution given they are also victims of genocide and horrendous attacks at the hands of Hamas,” Councilwoman Phylicia Porter said.In response, the four councilmembers who abstained — Porter, Odette Ramos, Kristerfer Burnett and Ryan Dorsey — crafted their own resolution condemning not just antisemitism but Islamophobia and all forms of hate.The new resolution reads, in part, “For the purpose of condemning the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, standing in solidarity with members of the Jewish and Islamic communities in Israel and Palestine who have been victims of violence, condemning antisemitism, islamophobia and genocide, and calling for a long-term ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.”| Read the full resolution here.That new resolution prompted a heated debate.”To be supportive of that, to denounce racism, to denounce antisemitism, to denounce islamophobia is not to praise or uplift or support the opposite. It was that simple. It’s disgraceful that we’re having this discussion today,” City Council President Nick Mosby said.That resolution also failed, with seven councilmembers voting “no” and five voting “yes.”Some said all of the back-and-forth sends the wrong message about Baltimore.”I’m glad that this resolution that had a lot of incorrect information got defeated, and my intention Monday night was simply to condemn antisemitism and condemn the horrific terrorist attack of Oct. 7, which was the largest genocide of Jews since the Holocaust,” Councilman Yitzy Schleifer said.”It’s a painful conflict to watch play out. However, what I hear from most of my constituents is they want us focused on issues impacting Baltimore,” Councilman Zeke Cohen said.”This is not who we are. We’re better than this,” Mosby said.The City Council does not have another full meeting until after the new year.
The Baltimore City Council tried and failed a second time to pass a resolution condemning Hamas and antisemitism as the Israel-Hamas war continues.
The first attempt came Monday when four members abstained from the vote.
“I abstained from the vote on Monday because I know we have a vibrant Muslim population that was not included in this resolution, and they should be included in this resolution given they are also victims of genocide and horrendous attacks at the hands of Hamas,” Councilwoman Phylicia Porter said.
In response, the four councilmembers who abstained — Porter, Odette Ramos, Kristerfer Burnett and Ryan Dorsey — crafted their own resolution condemning not just antisemitism but Islamophobia and all forms of hate.
The new resolution reads, in part, “For the purpose of condemning the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel, standing in solidarity with members of the Jewish and Islamic communities in Israel and Palestine who have been victims of violence, condemning antisemitism, islamophobia and genocide, and calling for a long-term ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.”
| Read the full resolution here.
That new resolution prompted a heated debate.
“To be supportive of that, to denounce racism, to denounce antisemitism, to denounce islamophobia is not to praise or uplift or support the opposite. It was that simple. It’s disgraceful that we’re having this discussion today,” City Council President Nick Mosby said.
That resolution also failed, with seven councilmembers voting “no” and five voting “yes.”
Some said all of the back-and-forth sends the wrong message about Baltimore.
“I’m glad that this resolution that had a lot of incorrect information got defeated, and my intention Monday night was simply to condemn antisemitism and condemn the horrific terrorist attack of Oct. 7, which was the largest genocide of Jews since the Holocaust,” Councilman Yitzy Schleifer said.
“It’s a painful conflict to watch play out. However, what I hear from most of my constituents is they want us focused on issues impacting Baltimore,” Councilman Zeke Cohen said.
“This is not who we are. We’re better than this,” Mosby said.
The City Council does not have another full meeting until after the new year.
