Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors passes substitute resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza
MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- After hours of intense debate on Thursday morning, the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted to support a permanent ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
In a 10-8 vote, Milwaukee now joins nearly 100 municipalities and counties in the United States calling for peace.
Dozens packed inside of several rooms in the county's courthouse with some waving flags or holding signs.
"I waited for about four or five hours," said Yaman Othman, a member with Milwaukee4Palestine. “Personally, I came out today because I want to see people, even in my family, just getting to have nights with peace.”
Othman, who is Palestinian and was born and raised in Milwaukee, has relatives in West Bank.
“When I see people on my screen or on my phone who look like me, who look like my dad, my mom, my siblings, and I see them being obliterated, amputated, it does something to you internally," Othman said. “You don’t have to be Muslim, you don’t have to be Arab, to stand up for Palestine, you just have to be human.”
Othman added that the deliberation he witnessed by the board was "intense."
The city officials ended up passing an amended resolution that calls for both the immediate release of all hostages and for humanitarian aid to be sent to Palestinians in need.
It does not, however, call what's happening in Gaza a genocide, like in the original resolution by Supervisor Ryan Clancy.
“It’s not a strong resolution, it’s not a resolution that acknowledges what is actually taking place," said Rachel Ida Buff with Milwaukee Jewish Voice for Peace.
Ida Buff is also the co-chair of the WI Coalition for Justice in Palestine's executive committee.
"We can call on our electeds to represent us," Ida Buff said. "It was very important for me to be here. This is our work."
For Alexa Safer, a member of Milwaukee's Jewish community, the substituted resolution is "a good compromise."
“I also would like a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza however I cannot accept one without the return of our people," Safer said. “I don't think there will ever be enough for everybody. There were gonna be people upset but as far as our best way forward, this was it.”
In a statement, the board said:
"The substitute resolution acknowledges the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine, recognizing the devastating loss of lives it has caused. It urges all parties involved, including the people of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, their supporters, and world leaders, to prioritize the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians who are suffering. Furthermore, the resolution calls for a path to permanent peace and prosperity in the region, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the conflict.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors has authorized the Office of Government Affairs staff to communicate the contents of this resolution with the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, highlighting the county's stance on the issue."