Resolution Tabled But Many Voices HeardBy Dan Murphy
At their April 9 meeting, the Yonkers City Council considered a resolution calling for a Cease Fire in Gaza. Before the council meeting, a protest was held outside City Hall by Westchester For Palestine and the Yonkers Ceasefire Coalition, and groups opposed to the Israeli attacks against Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in a humanitarian crisis. Those who spoke at the rally, and several opponents of Israel who spoke at the council meeting, indicated that they did not support the version of the resolution that was before the council.
The public comment session at the council meeting on the Gaza debate was emotional but without any outburst.
A 12-year-old Yonkers boy said, “I am here to speak on behalf of the 15,000 Palestinians murdered by Israel and the children who were murdered by Israel. I am here to represent the kids who are starving to death because of Israel’s war crimes. None of these atrocities would be possible without our tax dollars. We need an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Taxpayers in Yonkers are paying millions of tax dollars to fund this genocide. I ask the world to help.”
Jenna-15 years old, said, “It’s a genocide, and when people say that it has nothing to do with American, yes it does. Instead of using our tax dollars for genocide, use it for other crimes.”
Jeremy Vargas, a Yonkers resident and member of DSA lower Hudson valley. “This is indiscriminate murder, and our tax dollars are paying for this. Our President is covering for Israel’s atrocities. A ceasefire is the bare minimum that Palestinians deserve. The resolution is not what we are calling for. Pass the resolution our coalition has submitted.
Kristen Anderson said, “I think it’s terrible that you are not taking up the resolution, as the violence and murder in Gaza continues.”
Michael Middleman, of the Westchester Jewish Council said, “I know that you have refused to be bullied into adopting language that would only increase the hatred toward Jews since October 7.”
Middleman and others asked the council not to vote on the resolution in the future. “This is not something that the council has to address. It has no direct affect on the people of Yonkers.”
Scott Dubin said, “This is a lie, coming from a radical fringe that has a hatred of Israel. They rally with terrorist flags. The same coalition has popped up in New Rochelle and White Plains, and every council has rejected their calls for the justification of rape and murder. Do not give into their lief, reject them as other councils have in the county.”
Brandon Neider said, “Before you pass this, speak to local Jewish leaders. The first paragraph leaves out the rape and torture of Israeli residents. I would rather have been murdered than taken hostage.”
The Council resolution called for an immediate ceasefire, effectuate the safe return of the hostages, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, while condemning all types of hate and discrimination, including islamophobia and antisemitism in the city of Yonkers.
Council President Lakisha Collins-Bellamy decided to send the resolution back to committee and take no vote. “if the group that asked for the resolution does not support it because it doesn’t go as far as they want, and the Jewish community does not support it because they don’t want a ceasefire without the release of hostages, which is totally understandable, then why are we bringing this to a vote?”
Once a council member told us that they had received “thousands of emails” on the Gaza resolution from both sides.
The Arab community in Yonkers is estimated to be between 15,000-25,000, or roughly 10% of the City’s population.
