Dallas should approve resolution supporting cease-fire in Gaza, council member says

Dallas should demand a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and for immediate humanitarian aid for people in Gaza, according to a city council member.

Dallas City Council member Adam Bazaldua on Thursday proposed a ceasefire resolution that he is calling on his fellow city elected officials to support and pass. The City Council approved a resolution in October supporting Israel amid its war with militant group Hamas. But the decision has been criticized by the local Palestinian community which has called on the city to also publicly recognize Palestinian children and other vulnerable civilians in Gaza being killed in the conflict.

“The aim of passing the October 11th resolution was to condemn the attack on Israel by Hamas and to show our support and concern for the safety of Israeli civilians,” said Bazaldua, who represents the South Dallas area, in a statement. “The same support and concern for safety extends to Palestinian civilians during this war. It is vital our body take action that reflects the welcoming and inclusive city that we have affirmed to be, time and time again.”

Bazaldua’s resolution proposal comes after at least a dozen people signed up for public comment during Wednesday’s Dallas City Council meeting urging the council for such a declaration. Mayor Eric Johnson later ordered the council chambers to be cleared after the crowd of several dozen Palestinian-Americans and other supporters repeatedly cheered, clapped and snapped their fingers after each speech, and shouted at the council to respond to their requests for a resolution rather than moving forward with the council meeting as scheduled.

After police officers escorted the crowd out, chants of “ceasefire now” could be heard from outside the City Council chambers as the meeting resumed.

Council member Jaynie Schultz told The Dallas Morning News on Thursday that she believed the situation in Gaza was “too fluid” for the City Council to consider any further declaration now.

“By the time we return as a council in order to be able to take up this resolution, we don’t know what is going to change and there could be a ceasefire for all we know,” said Schultz, who represents North Dallas and is Jewish. “This resolution, to me, is highly premature, and I don’t think that there’s anything really to act on at this point.”

The Israel-Hamas war has been ongoing since Oct. 7, when Israel officials said Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and seized 240 hostages. Health officials in Gaza say more than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday warned that Israel was losing support internationally because of “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza.