PORTLAND, Ore. — The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Thursday. The decision comes following written and public testimony from over 40 people.
Commissioner Lori Stegmann introduced an amended version of the resolution in the beginning of the meeting, noting how recent events in the Middle East have an impact on communities locally and abroad.
“The U.S., as a longstanding ally and supporter of Israel, has the ability to influence the actions of Israel’s government,” Stegmann said. “We call for an immediate ceasefire, the return of hostages, safe passage and free access for humanitarian organizations to provide medical aid, food, water, clothing, fuel, power and shelter to Gazan civilians.”
Many people who attended the meeting were in support of the resolution. Some advocates called the resolution to go even further, including changing the label of “war” to “genocide,” calling for a permanent ceasefire and eliminating language that calls for a two-state solution. The final resolution didn't mention the word "permanent" or a two-state solution.
“Israel is committing genocide in Gaza with the full and unequivocal support of the United States government, against the objections of a majority of the American people,” Palestinian Youth Movement member Diyala Yousef said. “Although this resolution falls short of calling for a permanent ceasefire, today is a testament to the power of our collective community’s demands for justice.”
For many, the resolution has a close relation to their own lives and the lives of their loved ones.
“The Israeli state, basically, when it was established expelled my family and the 60% of Gazan families from their homes, from their land, and forced them to seek refuge in the Gaza strip. More than 75 years later, they came and destroyed Gaza again. My family and my friends’ families have lost everything,” Mohammed Usrof said in support of the resolution. “Calling for a ceasefire is a courageous thing to do. You are our voice here, Multnomah County. You are not a mouthpiece to any foreign government.”
Marc Blattner, the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, offered a pro-Israel stance during his testimony.
"It should be made clear that Israel is not at war with the people of Gaza; it is at war with Hamas," Blattner told commissioners. "We believe that these ceasefire resolutions should fully acknowledge the atrocities of October 7th, including the ongoing trauma of the people of Israel."
He was booed or jeered by many people in the crowd as he spoke.
"Certainly, the non-empathy for the Israelis through all of this came out loud and clear," Blattner told KGW. He added that he does want to see the violence end.
The resolution that passed called for an "immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Palestine and Israel." It noted that "all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law."
The resolution passed with a 5-0 vote. You can read the resolution here.
In the meeting, Stegmann said the resolution will now be sent to President Joe Biden, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici and Lori Chavez-DeRemer.
Correction: The original version of this article incorrectly said the resolution that passed included the word "permanent." That change was discussed but was not included in the resolution that commissioners passed.