Waukegan officials refuse Israel-Hamas ceasefire vote, wish peace for all

Waukegan City Council hears pleas for ceasefire resolution in Israel-Hamas War but Mayor and members make no commitment.

Scores of concerned individuals attended the Waukegan City Council meeting, urging officials to consider a resolution supporting a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War for future discussion. However, Mayor Ann Taylor and the council members did not commit to adding this resolution to the agenda.

During the public comment period at City Hall, 18 people shared their perspectives on the ceasefire resolution, with some advocating for it and others expressing opposition. The council chamber was filled to capacity with 155 attendees, while many more listened outside the room. Stories of devastation in Gaza and concerns about rising anti-Semitism locally were shared.

Dr. Chandra Hassan, who had firsthand experience in Gaza, described the conditions as "apocalyptic," recounting the challenges of providing medical care amidst constant danger. Peggy Shapiro, a descendant of Holocaust survivors, emphasized the need to avoid involvement in international conflicts to prevent the spread of anti-Semitism.

As audience members continued to share their views, the council imposed a time limit of 45 minutes for comments, with each speaker allotted three minutes. Despite the passionate pleas from community members, no council member proposed adding the ceasefire resolution to a future agenda.

Ald. Victor Felix acknowledged the advocacy efforts of those supporting the resolution but did not commit to bringing it forward. Mayor Taylor emphasized that the decision to include the resolution on the agenda rested with the council members, who did not make a motion to do so during the meeting.

Vaseem Iftekhar, a community leader, highlighted the importance of local voices in advocating for peace and understanding the human impact of the conflict. Despite differing opinions on the issue, community members expressed a desire for dialogue and action to address the ongoing crisis.

As the meeting concluded, Ahmad Hamdan urged council members not to be silenced on matters of international importance, emphasizing the need for open discussion and engagement. The diverse perspectives shared during the meeting underscored the complexity of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the challenges of addressing such issues at the local level.