New York Council outrages as President Adams drafts Gaza ceasefire resolution for vote

Metro

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By Carl Campanile, Craig McCarthy And Allie Griffin

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is crafting a ceasefire resolution on the Gaza war, but some of her Democratic colleagues are furious that they will be forced to vote on it. resolution, sources told the Post.

“No matter what you say, you are either pro-genocide or anti-Semitic, there is no in-between,” fumed a Council source. “The only reason you’re voting for a speaker is to not put us in that position.”

The proclamation — which was presented at a Democratic caucus meeting Tuesday afternoon — is being pushed by the Council's left wing, although Adams is expected to sign on as a sponsor.

About 20 Council members are “really unhappy” about being forced to publicly vote on whether or not they support an Israeli ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip, the Council source said.

“Why is the speaker putting this to a vote when it’s really difficult for the community?” It was very tense,” they said.

At least two other Council sources expressed similar frustration.

“Will a resolution help bring peace, or will it only give progressives a false victory? » we asked. “These people just want to look like they’re doing something.”

The other said he didn't see why the city council should take a vote on the overseas situation.

“We are not the United States Congress,” they said.

Another insider present at the meeting said some Council members opposed the president's ceasefire resolution on principle.

Pro-Israeli members of the Council noted that the Council did not adopt a resolution condemning Hamas after the terrorist group invaded Israel on October 7 and massacred nearly 1,200 people and took 250 hostages.

“We didn't say anything on October 8, nor on October 9. The first thing we are going to say is that there should be a ceasefire,” said the source present at the meeting.

The president's office blocked proposed resolutions last fall to condemn Hamas, the source added.

Council members did not receive a copy of the ceasefire resolution and had to go to the council's chief of staff to review it, according to a source present at the meeting.

Two members of the Jewish Council – Lynn Schulman of Queens and Julie Menin of Queens – were not present at the caucus meeting.

The Jewish holiday of Shavuot begins at sunset Tuesday, adding insult to injury. Many devout Jews observe the holiday until Friday morning.

Tensions in the United States are at an all-time high between those who oppose Israel's continued and often relentless attacks on Gaza residents and those who believe Israel should do everything in its power to destroy Hamas.

Israel's air and ground attacks in Gaza have killed at least 37,084 Palestinians since October, according to data from the Hamas-run territory's Health Ministry. Thousands more are feared buried under the rubble of bombed buildings.