MINNEAPOLIS — As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, Israel is proposing a two month pause for the release of all the remaining hostages currently held by the Hamas terrorist group.
This as local governments in the United States continue to call for an end to the violence, including in Minneapolis.
On Tuesday, nine members voted to support a resolution that calls for a ceasefire, but also an end to U.S. military funding for Israel. It will likely get a final approval on Thursday.
The meeting was packed and some of the crowd was left to listen and watch from an overflow room. The decision drew both cheers and jeers on the issue the council is tackling at the start of the year.
"It's a humanitarian crisis," said longtime Councilor Andrea Jenkins, who voted in favor. "I believe, as human beings on the planet, we have to stand up against injustice whenever and wherever it is."
She says dozens of other cities across the country have cast similar votes from Atlanta, Georgia to Ann Arbor, Michigan.
While this is largely a symbolic move, Jenkins says there was community outcry for a formal statement. The two councilors opposed, including LaTrisha Vetaw, call the conflict complicated and divisive.
"I don't understand why they have to make it about the entire council when no one in the Middle East is watching to see what the Minneapolis City Council is doing," said Vetaw.
She represents the city's north side and says she'll work to address the area's own gun violence, fix potholes and snow removal — if and when it falls.
"I'm going to going to take this time to focus on the issues that face my ward," said Vetaw.
One council member did abstain from voting. And there were several amendments made to the resolution. If the mayor vetoes it Thursday, it appears there are enough votes, at least from Tuesday's meeting, that could override that — perhaps starting the new year off more contentious than collaborative.
"I'm doing my best to try and bring some level even-handedness and fairness to the process, but I'm only one person," said Jenkins.
To read more about the resolution, click here.
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