Arlington City Council will discuss a resolution in support of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, Mayor Jim Ross said during a teach-in Sunday evening at Dar El-Eman Islamic Center.
Speakers walked attendees through the toll of the conflict on Palestinians, from Britain鈥檚 1917 Balfour Declaration that pledged to establish 鈥渁 national home for the Jewish people鈥� in Palestine to the aftermath of Hamas鈥� Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Ross and council members Nikkie Hunter, Raul Gonzalez and Long Pham listened to presentations about the history of the conflict and took questions from the audience 鈥� mostly about the prospect of a ceasefire resolution.
鈥淗ere鈥檚 what I promise you: I have the ability to get it in front of (the) council, and we will talk about it,鈥� Ross said to applause from the audience.
If passed, Arlington would join , including Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco, to issue policy in support, according to a map by the pro-ceasefire group Solidarity Is.
Similar efforts are underway in and , though neither council has voted on a resolution.
Ross and council members did not specify Sunday whether they would vote for a ceasefire resolution, but said they want to support their Muslim and Palestinian constituents and stand up against violence.
鈥淚鈥檓 against anything that kills people, whether it鈥檚 domestic violence or whatever. The ceasefire needs to happen, obviously. Anywhere throughout the world, it needs to happen,鈥� Gonzalez said.
Mohammed Ayachi, who presented during the teach-in, said he was heartened council members attended with an open mind, even if none indicated which way they would vote.
鈥淲e can鈥檛 predict the future, but I think given how clear our evidence was and based on the response that we had, I think it鈥檚, you know, kind of like a no-brainer,鈥� Ayachi said.
Ross previously issued a November proclamation with his and advisory councils that condemned hateful rhetoric and violence against marginalized communities.
Participants also asked the city to rename a stretch of Mansfield Road after Dar El-Eman Islamic Center, as well as traffic conditions. Ross said those interested in renaming the road should gather petition signatures from residents and business owners who live along the street.
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