South San Francisco contemplates cease-fire resolution 

The topic was not on the council agenda, meaning councilmembers neither voted on a resolution, nor did they confirm a date for a later discussion. But it seems likely the matter will surface again in the near future. In response to attendees’ comments, Mayor James Coleman verbalized his support for a permanent cease-fire, the release of hostages and adding it to a council discussion at a later date. 

“A few months ago, our council experienced a series of extremely antisemitic comments, and our council did not hesitate to condemn antisemitism and all forms of hate. South San Francisco is a diverse community, and as the council, it is our responsibility to ensure everyone feels welcome here. I would be in favor of agendizing a future resolution,” Coleman said.

While such discussions tend to draw a mix of residents in support and opposition, the South City meeting consisted mostly of proponents advocating for a resolution, stating that Gaza’s dire circumstances and thousands of deaths necessitate verbal and unequivocal denunciation by local leaders. 

Councilmember Mark Addiego also supported adding the discussion to a future meeting, stating there are times when the council’s handbook, which says not to be involved in international politics, is “irrelevant.”

“As a City Council, it’s way out of our jurisdiction, but as members of humanity there’s only one choice,” he said.

But some organizations, like the Jewish Community Relations Council — a Bay Area Jewish community collective — have previously stated that cease-fire resolutions can be divisive to communities and do nothing to solve global conflicts.

“Don’t bring this war to your city,” Jeremy Russell, director of marketing and communications, previously said in regards to San Bruno’s attempts to add a similar resolution to its agenda. “These resolutions do nothing to ameliorate the conflict, but they do bring awful consequences to the community. Anything from screaming matches to graffiti to violence.”

A future date for discussing a cease-fire resolution has not been confirmed.