What’s been deemed the “most progressive” pro-Palestine resolution in the country is headed to the Minneapolis City Council for a vote after the resolution passed out of the Committee of the Whole Tuesday.
The resolution, passed in a vote of 9-3-1, urges state and federal officials to advocate for a “full, immediate, and permanent ceasefire” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and an “end to U.S. military funding to the State of Israel.”
“This resolution is the most progressive in the country and is the only one that calls for an end to US aid to Israel,” the University of Minnesota Students for a Democratic Society posted to X prior to the meeting.
This resolution is the most progressive in the country and is the only one that calls for an end to US aid to Israel. Call and email your city council member and tell them that you want the ceasefire resolution to pass as is! Go to https://t.co/rAh418OIcR for more info. pic.twitter.com/y5YBEQ8CFD
— UMN SDS (@UMNSDS) January 21, 2024
The council engaged in a heated discussion on amendments to the resolution before taking a vote.
“It’s pretty clear we are not seeking to speak for everyone in our city,” Ward 13 Council Member Linea Palmisano said in her comments opposing the resolution. She went on to say that she would have been open to signing a resolution that looked more like the one recently passed in Hastings, Minn.
The proposed resolution acknowledges the terrorist organization Hamas’ “unacceptable attacks” on Israel and states the council wants “peaceful, safe futures for both Palestinian and Israeli people.”
It then accuses Israel of “engaging in collective punishment” of Palestinians for the Oct. 7 attack.
Council members Michael Rainville, LaTrisha Vetaw, and Linea Palmisano voted against the resolution. Council Member Emily Koski abstained.
In his comments opposing the measure, Rainville said the council’s focus on the resolution was taking time away from other important crises happening within the city, such as addiction and homelessness.
“This does nothing to solve any of those issues which we were elected for,” Rainville said.
Council Member Robin Wonsley responded to Rainville’s criticism by noting that elected officials can “walk and chew gum at the same time.”
“I’m sorry if that’s troubling or challenging for some of us and I hope we can have a larger conversation with staff to figure out how we can support council members who are struggling in that area,” said Wonsley, who faced criticism from the Jewish Community Relations Council for “platforming antisemitism” in a photo she posted online after the resolution passed.
Wow. "USA is occupied by Zionist more than Palestine. Ceasefire now."
Congrats, CM Wonsley, for both platforming antisemitism at @CityMinneapolis meetings AND amplifying a white supremacist anti-Jewish conspiracy theory* to tens of thousands of people online. Disgusting. https://t.co/j6eOEYGl6u
— JCRC of MN & Dakotas (@JCRCMINNDAK) January 24, 2024
The resolution is scheduled for a final vote Thursday morning at the Minneapolis City Council’s regular meeting.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
