Chicago, the third-largest city in the United States, has become the latest and largest to call for an immediate and permanent cease-fire in the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. The resolution, which was passed by a narrow margin of 24-23 votes in the City Council on Wednesday, also urges the release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
A Victory for Progressives and Palestinians
The resolution, dubbed “Uniting for Peace,” was introduced by Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez and Alderman Daniel La Spata, who are both members of the progressive Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). It was based on a similar motion that was supported by more than 150 nations at the UN General Assembly last month but was opposed by the United States and nine other countries.
The resolution’s sponsors said they were motivated by the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly 27,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes and artillery since the attacks began in early October. More than 90% of the 2.3 million residents of Gaza have been displaced and face a dire lack of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies. The UN Secretary General has called the situation a “humanitarian catastrophe.”.
“We vote with hope. We vote with solidarity. We vote to help people feel heard in a world of silence,” La Spata said during the debate.
The resolution also reflects the growing support for Palestinian rights among the American public, especially among young people, people of color, and progressive Democrats. According to a recent poll, 75% of Democrats and 64% of likely voters favor a cease-fire in Gaza. Many activists and protesters have also denounced the US government’s role in enabling Israel’s aggression by providing $3.8 billion in annual military aid and blocking any meaningful action at the UN Security Council.
A Challenge to Biden and the Democratic Party
The resolution’s passage in Chicago, a Democratic stronghold and the home city of former President Barack Obama, sends a powerful message to the current administration of President Joe Biden, who has been reluctant to pressure Israel to halt its onslaught. Biden has repeatedly affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense and has approved the sale of $735 million worth of precision-guided weapons to Israel, despite opposition from some members of Congress.
Biden has also faced criticism from some of his own party’s leaders, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have called for conditioning US aid to Israel on its respect for human rights and international law. They have also introduced resolutions to block the arms deal with Israel, which are unlikely to pass but could force a debate on the issue.
Chicago’s resolution also comes ahead of the Democratic National Convention, which will be held in the city in July. The convention will decide the party’s platform and nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Many progressive and pro-Palestinian groups are hoping to influence the party’s stance on Israel and Palestine and to challenge the influence of the pro-Israel lobby.
A Celebration of Resistance and Solidarity
The resolution’s passage was met with jubilation and applause by hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had gathered outside and inside the City Hall, chanting “Free Palestine” and waving Palestinian flags. They were joined by prominent figures such as Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, who had endorsed the resolution and spoken at a rally earlier.
The resolution was also welcomed by various Palestinian rights groups, community organizations, unions, and city staffers, who had campaigned for months for its adoption. They hailed it as a historic and symbolic victory and a testament to the strength and diversity of the grassroots movement for justice and peace in Palestine.
Muhammad Sankari, the lead organizer for the Arab American Action Network, said in a statement: “The fight for the resolution embodies the people’s movement in Chicago. It is a multiracial coalition across the city that has called for a cease-fire, including groups like the Chicago Progressive Staffers, which is made up of a group of staffers within city hall, and the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.”
Chicago is home to the largest Palestinian population in the United States, with more than 50,000 Palestinians living in Cook County, which includes the city. Many of them have relatives and friends in Gaza and have been traumatized by the violence and destruction. The resolution is a sign of recognition and support for their struggle and suffering, and a hope for a better future.
