The Milwaukee Jewish Federation and its Jewish Community Relations Council are appreciative of the Milwaukee County Board’s approval of the SUBSTITUTE Ceasefire Resolution and its prioritization of the immediate release of all Israeli hostages and a path to permanent peace and prosperity in the region. We are thankful for the failure of advancing the one-sided Milwaukee County Board Resolution (24-240) calling for an immediate and unconditional permanent ceasefire in the war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas.
We thank County Supervisors Rolland, Sumner, Wasserman, Vincent, Martin, Taylor (17), Staskunas, Johnson Jr., Logsdon, and Chairwoman Nicholson, who voted in favor of the substitute resolution that was presented by Supervisors Rolland, Sumner, Wasserman, Vincent, Martin, Taylor (17), and Staskunas.
Our reasons we opposed the original resolution (File 24-240):
- The originalresolutionfailed to mention Hamas. The terrorist group Hamas’s charter — the governing body of Gaza — states that Israel does not have a right to exist and calls for the obliteration of the Jewish people. Hamas does not seek peace with Israel. These are not freedom fighters; they are a designated terrorist organization. Failing to mention and condemn Hamas in this resolution ignores a terror organization that butchers babies, beheads bodies, rapes women, murders children in front of their parents, and burns families alive.
- The originalresolutionlackedequity. Theloss of all innocent lives— both Palestinian and Israeli — is devastating. Thisresolution excluded any mention of Israeli victims. It didnot addressthe tragic realities of the people of bothGazaandIsrael. Jewish Federations have long supported atwo-state solution in Israel and prosperity for all, which thisinequitable resolution failed tomention. We can distinctly separate criticism of Israel from antisemitism, but the anti-Zionist movement invoking antisemitic tropes and vitriol has led to increased antisemitism since Oct. 7, reaching over 300% increase both locally and nationally, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
- The original resolution contained divisive inflammatory language. It was one-sided and ignored the humanity of Israelis and Palestinians alike. The accusations of “targeting civilians” with “genocide and apartheid” were inflammatory and false. They are phrases promoted by the Hamas terrorist organization’s propaganda machine. The failure of the resolution to call for the immediate release of the American and Israeli hostages who have been in captivity in unspeakable conditions for nearly 6 months, or even mention their existence, is further evidence of the biased nature of the resolution.
We are horrified by the impact that Hamas’ terrorist rule has had on Palestinians and Israelis, and we enjoin all people to join us indemandingthedisarmament of Hamas. We support an end to the war which removes Hamas from power and immediately returns all remaining hostages.