As expected, the Minneapolis City Council has approved a controversial symbolic resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, the release of all hostages, and an end to U.S. military support for Israel.
It also makes reference to the disproportionate deaths of Palestinians, and the view by some that Israel is committing genocide.
Jewish groups are upset that Israel’s defense of that allegation was not included, and say the document misses the mark by not including the history of Israel, which was founded by Holocaust refugees.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who is Jewish, supports a ceasefire, but calls the resolution one-sided.
“It chooses what context and history to include and what context and history to ignore,” says Frey.
“The resolution before us reads as lopsided is because this conflict is lopsided,” says Councilmember and resolution supporter Jeremiah Ellison. “This conflict is devastating.”
Furthermore, Mayor Frey says the resolution does nothing to acknowledge some of the blatant racism that has intensified since the war began.