San Mateo passes on cease-fire resolution

The issue was not on the council agenda, meaning councilmembers were not obligated to vote nor further address the topic, but they took up the matter at the end of the roughly five-hour meeting, with most stating that moving forward on such a measure would inflame divisive rhetoric.

“I heard so much divide here tonight, and in some cases, some anger back and forth. I think that doing something like this adds to the divide. It’s something that we have absolutely no control over,” Councilmember Rich Hedges said. 

Newsom, who said he personally supported a cease-fire, ultimately opposed such a resolution, stating it would exacerbate tensions, as evidenced by the recent bullying of his daughters, who are half Palestinian-American, as well as the taunting of his friends’ Jewish children. 

“The way to root out the Hamas terrorist organization of Palestine is to make sure all people are free and have access to work and safety and food and all the amenities free people should have, and a voice in society. At the same time, I support the immediate release of the 130 Israelis that are still being held hostage, and that should be a condition of any cease-fire,” he said, adding that he would be in favor of a more general proclamation of peace. “San Mateo has absolutely no tolerance for anti-Arab, antisemitism or Islamophobia. We need to work together to replace our anger with dialogue.”

Discourse remained civil throughout most of the meeting, though one commenter spoke out after Newsom’s remarks, condemning his choice not to agendize a resolution.

Numerous cities throughout the Bay Area have discussed passing such resolutions over the last few months, with the San Bruno and Foster City councils ultimately rejecting requests to add it to future agendas. San Francisco and Oakland have passed cease-fire-related resolutions in the last several months, and South San Francisco indicated support for one during last week’s council meeting. On Monday, March 4, San Mateo County Board of Supervisor Noelia Corzo, who represents District 2, proposed a resolution at the San Mateo Medical Center Board declaring support for health care workers in Gaza. Supervisor David Canepa said he was against the measure but, with seven other board members abstaining, there was no vote.