Salem OR. – On May 28th, 2024 the Salem City Council convened to conduct a regularly scheduled meeting. One of the items on the agenda was “A City of Salem resolution related to the crisis in Gaza.” this matter had previously been referred to the Salem Human Rights Commission (HRC). The HRC created a draft resolution which they submitted to the Salem City Council.
The Council did not express strong support for moving forward with the language of the Human Rights Commission’s (HRC) proposed resolution. Several councilors noted that they were concerned with causing further division and felt that the alternative resolutions provided more agreeable options. The HRC’s proposed language included an accusation that Israel is “enacting genocide against the Palestinian people”, this claim of genocide was one of the points that made several Councilors prefer an alternative version. Councilor Gonzalez was the only Councilor to state a belief that what is happening in Gaza is genocide.
Through discussion the Councilors decided not to move forward with the resolution that was created by the HRC. Councilor Virginia Stapleton motioned to pass the resolution that had been written by Councilor Linda Nishioka and herself. Councilor Trevor Phillips expressed that he hoped they could find a way to have a consensus decision on this item, but other councilors expressed that they did not feel comfortable with passing any resolution at this time. The City Recorder took the roll call vote showing a 4 to 4 split in the council with half voting in favor of passing the resolution from Councilors Stapleton and Nishioka and half voting not to pass it. The final vote came to Mayor Chris Hoy who voted in favor of passing the motion, giving the one vote majority necessary for the City Council to officially adopt the resolution.
Voting in favor: Stapleton, Nishioka, Phillips, Gonzalez, Mayor Chris Hoy
Voting in opposition: Gwyn, Hoy, Nordyke, Varney
During the Councilor’s discussion several stated disappointment with the HRC’s process, though overall the council appreciated the HRC’s effort, citing concerns that had been expressed by community members of bias. The councilors that voted against the resolution all felt that they could not vote for any resolution. Councilors Gwyn and Nordyke repeated that they did not see this as the business of the council and Councilor Nordyke thought that it set a bad precedent to begin weighing in on affairs far outside the scope of the City of Salem.
The discussion and vote followed approximately two hours of public comment and several other business items on the Council’s agenda. The majority of those giving public comment were in favor of passing a resolution and many expressed support for the HRC’s resolution. The majority of those giving comment in support of the resolution insisted that the word genocide be included to describe the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Those who spoke in opposition to the resolution expressed concerns with the language, such as using the word genocide, not denouncing Hamas in stronger terms, and making demands of Israel while not making similar demands of Hamas. They also expressed issues with the HRC’s process and that members of the Jewish community were not treated respectfully in the process. One of the Councilors reported observing a lack of respect when watching the HRC meetings.
Many written public comments were submitted to the Council addressing the resolution. State Senator Deb Patterson from Senate District 10 submitted comment to “support of the resolution of the Human Rights Commission regarding the current atrocities in Gaza, with a few caveats.” Some of the caveats the Senator noted were “While many Americans have family and friends in Israel and Gaza, we must remember that our American neighbors in here Salem, both Jewish and Palestinian, were not and are not in control of the events that have unfolded since October 2023.” and “it must be made clear that no taxpayer dollars from the Salem budget have gone to support this conflict, which is somewhat implied in the $2,357,111 figure. In addition, every people should have the right to defend themselves.”
The Council did not express any plans for further action on this item of business at this time.
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Typical grandstanding by those elected to address the needs of our community. Passing a resolution regarding what’s going on half way around the globe doesn’t do a damn thing to address the multitude of problems to be solved right here in Salem, Oregon. Why don’t you most important people pass a resolution regarding what goes on in Haiti…or Iran…or Russia? What you are accomplishing is nothing but furthering the divide amongst Americans. FOOLS!
Did they pass a Resolution condemning the Allied Genocide of the German People during WWII? I doubt it.
Estimates of German civilians killed only by Allied strategic bombing have ranged from around 350,000 to 500,000. Estimates of civilian deaths due to the flight and expulsion of Germans, Soviet war crimes and the forced labor of Germans in the Soviet Union are disputed and range from 500,000 to 2,000,000.
When Salem solves their own problems, such as homelessness, crime, etc. Then they may have a reason to comment and suggest solutions to the problems of others. I think there is a principle here, “take the log out of your own eye, before trying to take the splinter from another.”
This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. Why is our city government allowing their personal opinions on world issues to be debated. This is of no concern for us as a city. These opinions can only cause more division among us. As stated above in another comment, have we discussed the Haiti situation, Ukraine, Taiwan, China, Russia, Congo, and the many, many others? Please stick to local concerns and don’t forget that is why you are in office. Your personal opinion on world affairs is irrelevant to running our city and meeting its needs. Quit playing politics and try and solve our issues to help our citizens right here.
So Salem has solved, crime, homelessness, and fixes all the potholes so they can focus on foreign affairs. Nice.