Some wonder why I was one of the two (out of six) Athens City Council members who voted against the recent controversial resolution. Others thanked me for my decision. As a reminder, it says that city council urges the government to end the violence in Israel and
“…further urges the Federal Government to halt funding for the war and calls upon the Biden administration to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.”
As an individual, I agree. So, why vote against it? Before I expand on my public statements, I need to say that I’ve read, studied and sought guidance from multiple sources about the Israeli situation long before and since October 7th. I have read all the advocacy emails and examined the many accompanying resources. Many were thoughtful, heartfelt and informative. Some were nasty.
No question that at best it’s a deadly nightmare for all of Gaza — and Israel. No question that our Federal Government must intervene, which I’ve asked my US senators and representatives to do. As an engaged citizen, I believe that each of us is obligated to advocate for good government policy to promote health, equity, opportunity and safety for all.
So why did I vote against this city council resolution –
- Focus on Athens – The operative phrase is “our Federal Government.” Council is tasked with improving the lives of all our Athens’ residents. Council has NO power to address global issues. We live in a small city with its own problems. We need more jobs. We need more and better housing. We have ongoing infrastructure, maintenance and budget issues. Plus, we have human rights conflicts right here. These issues require our full attention.
- Seek Harmony and Inclusion – Jews and some Muslims in our community feel intimidated and even threatened by vitriol expressed by the resolution proponents. Frankly, the fact that recent protestors marched to the Athens County Democratic Party headquarters to paint ugly anti-Democrat and Anti-Biden and even anti-Israel epithets on and around its windows was disturbing.
- Consider All Sides – I am concerned that what these proponents’ want is to rid Israel of Jews and re-instate an exclusively Palestinian nation. Jews have lived on the land of Isael for thousands of years alongside Arabs. They have reasons to feel that it’s their homeland too. We all need to acknowledge that wrongs have been committed on all sides. It’s complicated. Sadly, much information and rhetoric are inflammatory, incorrect and/or distorted, which undermines productive dialogue.
In addition to rude comments made toward resolution opponents at our meetings, the Pro-Palestinian information was one-sided:
- Hamas – Some proponents openly denied that Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization that is oppressing its own people, committed atrocities on October 7th. They did. The evidence is irrefutable. With years-long planning and support from Iran, Hamas fighters did rape, torture, kidnap and/or murder more than 1,400 Israelis. They still hold hostages. Recent evidence published by the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel found “systematic and intentional” rape and sexual abuse by Hamas Oct. 7th that was more widespread than previously thought. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-report-submitted-to-un-on-hamass-mass-scale-weaponization-of-rape/
- Racism and Colonialism – No one mentioned that about 50% of the Israeli Jewish population is descended from refugees that fled Jewish ethnic cleaning and discrimination in surrounding Muslim nations particularly in the 1940s. In fact, about 50% of Israeli Jews are people of color – not white. Plus, the European Jews who arrived in the 1930s-1950s were desperate refugees seeking to survive – not elitist colonialists. https://www.oneforisrael.org/holidays/special-days-in-israel/half-israels-jews-came-muslim-countries/?network=g&placement=&target=&campaignid=19192984487&gclid=CjwKCAiAuYuvBhApEiwAzq_YiUl-bXkgKNTDHTUwMqEAIeQztR-7aLJz3_UPwdO-OAnJV1jjl8pKmRoCM60QAvD_BwE
- Genocide – The International Court of Justice is investigating whether Israel’s actions rise to the legal definition of genocide, which is a specific legal term that requires intent. So that word is being used prematurely. Furthermore, the ICJ criticized both Israel and Hamas for their actions. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/203447
Based on comments and emails to me before and after the vote, I believe that most Athenians did not want city council to pass this resolution because: 1) It’s outside city council’s scope – as our Law Director’s office concluded; 2) It’s divisive and compromises inclusion and harmony; 3) it’s one sided.
In short, despite the horrors in Israel, I believe passing this resolution can and is causing more harm than good in Athens. Let’s focus on Athens.
Solveig Spjeldnes
Athens, Ohio
