PEORIA, Ill. – A group of people spoke at Tuesday night’s Peoria City Council meeting about a ceasefire resolution brought by the group Peoria for Palestine.
The group’s president, Imam Mazhar Mahmood, asked council members to consider the request even though Mayor Rita Ali said she would not support it.
Mahmood told 25 News, if approved, the resolution would show the people of Peoria won’t stand for what he calls genocide committed by the Israeli military since the war between Hamas and Israeli forces began on October 7th.
“It’ll show our dignity, it’ll show our humanity, and it’ll show that we are champions of such an honor,” Mahmood said.
Chicago recently passed a similar resolution, with Mayor Brandon Johnson breaking a tie.
The Jewish Federation of Peoria also showed up for Tuesday night’s meeting, opposing the resolution. Executive Director Susan Katz said in a statement she doesn’t think the resolution is a city council problem.
“We all want to end the loss of innocent life. We all yearn for peace. We know Palestinian civilians suffer, but a ceasefire that precludes the demilitarization of Hamas and doesn’t return the hostages will only take us back to the same dangerous situation we had on Oct 7. Hamas leadership has repeatedly said they would do Oct. 7 again, and again, and again, until they destroy Israel.
“And, while foreign policy is not city business, protecting its citizens is. We are concerned because Jewish communities and Jewish individuals are under attack. The passing of this type of resolution could serve to further anti-Semitism. It won’t bring peace to the people of the Middle East but will increase tensions in our own community. We believe strongly this is not and should not be a city council issue.”
Mayor Ali released a statement after the meeting, saying the war in the Middle East is not Peoria’s fight.
“We cannot afford to allow this international issue to divide our city or our communities. Yet, I don’t want it to appear that our leadership is not concerned about the tragic loss of life that is occurring overseas daily and impacting the families and loved ones of some of our residents. We care about all human life in Peoria and beyond.”
“As city leaders, we must be neutral, yet compassionate, in this matter,” the mayor said.
Comments