Arlington Mayor Jim Ross agreed to meet with a group of Palestinian Americans and community advocates who want to see city councils like Arlington鈥檚 pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants.
Ross told more than a dozen speakers he would meet them at a rally Sunday scheduled at the Levitt Pavilion. The rally was postponed due to below-freezing temperatures over the weekend, but both Ross and Mohammed Ayachi - with the Muslim Coalition for Palestine - say they intend to either meet privately Sunday or reschedule.
Ayachi, one of the speakers Tuesday and one of four speakers announced for the rally, said Ross鈥� agreement to meet was a 鈥渂reath of fresh air.鈥� He said officials representing several North Texas cities like Dallas and Grapevine have given him non-answers 鈥� if any at all.
鈥淲hen people are coming in and we have to beg them to understand that killing children is not OK and to ask them, 鈥楶lease, just listen, hear us out, let us show you our proof. Give us a fair chance to plead our case,鈥� and we get shut down, it really does get to you after a little while,鈥� Ayachi said.
However, Ross said he鈥檚 not sure a ceasefire resolution from Arlington City Council would go far in affecting change or where the council would stand on a resolution.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know that that鈥檚 my position as the mayor of Arlington to make those arguments,鈥� Ross said. 鈥淚 understand the complexities associated with it. But I do advocate for decreasing the killings of innocent people who have nothing to do with the conflict except for the fact that they may live in the area.鈥�
Ayachi said during his comments to city council that Arlington leaders take care of the city鈥檚 Muslim and Palestinian communities, and he understands that municipalities do not control federal government spending. However, he said, change starts from the 鈥渧ery, very bottom.鈥�
鈥淵ou guys represent us, the state represents the cities and of course, the federal government represents the states. In order for us to change the federal government, it has to start over here,鈥� he said.
Ross said in an interview he had planned to attend the rally and speak with organizers at the behest of his Muslim Advisory Council, one of several advisory groups Ross has convened to better understand issues affecting people of different groups. He said he also plans to schedule meetings at local mosques.
鈥淚 would welcome an opportunity to sit down and speak with anybody. That鈥檚 obviously a sensitive issue with our Palestinian population here in Arlington in North Texas, as it is our Jewish population. I鈥檓 willing to sit down with any of them and have discussions about it,鈥� Ross said.
on Oct. 7 killed more than 1,200 people. Israel's retaliation against Hamas has killed more than .
Resolutions about the war across the U.S.
Leaders in major cities including , and have passed resolutions in support of a ceasefire. Those efforts have not been as fruitful across Texas.
Dallas City Council Member Adam Bazaldua that calls for a ceasefire and open borders for humanitarian relief. The resolution has not yet gone before council. Dallas City Council passed a resolution condemning Hamas and supporting Israel days after the latest war broke out.
were slated to vote on a ceasefire resolution. However, the vote was called off after a council member withdrew his support for a special meeting.
Ross in Arlington issued a proclamation in early November condemning hateful rhetoric and violence against marginalized communities to members of his Jewish and Muslim advisory councils.
鈥淢y desire is not to engage in international conflicts. My desire is to give an ear to my community, whether they鈥檙e Palestinian culture or Jewish culture or whatever 鈥� give an ear to them and do the best I can as mayor of Arlington to help address their needs in this community,鈥� Ross said.
Ayachi said he and others will keep pushing for a ceasefire resolution from Arlington and other cities.
鈥淚鈥檝e never seen a cause like this where people are not even tired,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to keep showing up to every council meeting. We鈥檙e going to keep showing up and putting our message forward.鈥�
Got a tip? Email Kailey Broussard at kbroussard@kera.org.
四虎影院 is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider . Thank you.
