Raleigh council won't call for ceasefire in Gaza; Mayor expresses condolences, calls for peace

The Raleigh City Council will not take up a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin announced Tuesday.

Baldwin read a statement before the official start of Tuesday’s city council meeting, saying District B Council Member Megan Patton helped her with the wording.

“We appreciate every member of our community who has shared their voice with us through email and in person,” Baldwin said. “While we do not have consensus among our community, we also do not have a consensus among our council.

“With this in mind, the Raleigh City Council will not be issuing a resolution on this matter.”

District E City Council Member Christina Jones spoke after Baldwin finished reading her statement.

“As stated, the statement was not unanimous,” Jones said. “We had one council discussion back in November followed by individual conversations.”

Jones thanked everyone for showing up to share their opinions.

“I am disappointed this will not come to a vote because I think that is what the community wanted,” Jones said. “They showed up at every opportunity and the best we could do is come up with a statement of neutrality, but I do hope that our community can begin to heal even though this was not a unanimous … decision.”

No other city council members discussed Baldwin’s statement and the decision not to take up a ceasefire resolution.

Baldwin said the city council condemns hate speech and harassment. She also acknowledged the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia across the city and the U.S.

“Most importantly, our thoughts are with those within and outside of Raleigh who have been directly impacted by this conflict,” Baldwin said.

Baldwin called Raleigh’s diverse population one of its “greatest strengths.” She said city council members have engaged local Jews, Palestinians and Muslims to better understand the international conflict.

“We have shared your messages with our federal-elected leaders,” Baldwin said. “The importance of protecting civilian lives and supporting humanitarian relief is not lost on us. Neither is the need for safety and peace.”

Baldwin acknowledged that the Raleigh community is conflicted. Hundreds of people have showed up to city council meetings since the war began last fall.

“We want to take this opportunity to address the concerns we have heard from Raleigh residents regarding the tragic events of Oct. 7, 2023, and the resulting conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza,” Baldwin said. “We, overall, these city council members acknowledge the impact of global conflicts on our community.

“The city of Raleigh recognizes the pain of its residents who have been directly impacted from the horrific events of Oct. 7, and those who have lost loved ones in the conflict.”

Baldwin said some people have demanded a ceasefire resolution from the Raleigh City Council, while others have asked the body not to weigh in on international matters.

“We call for the protection of all civilians and humanitarian relief,” Baldwin said. “We call for the safe return of all hostages.

“We, like many others in our country, call on world leaders to work toward an end to this conflict in a peaceful, long-term solution. We call for peace at home and abroad, and we will continue to embody the principals of thinking globally while acting locally.”

The end of Baldwin’s statement drew some applause from people attending Tuesday’s Raleigh City Council meeting.

Rania Masri, a pro-Palestinian activist, said Baldwin's statement could not have been made without the approval of City Council.

"The City Council has not issued a statement," she said. "The City Council has not issued a resolution. If it were, then the Council would have needed to vote on it. The Mayor spoke for the council, which she can not do without a vote."

Some pro-Palestinian supporters found the Mayor's statement confusing, because they say they have signatures from current City Council members who support a ceasefire resolution.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh expressed appreciation for Baldwin's statement.

"The debate over this resolution only served to increase divisiveness in our city and community," the federation's statement reads in part. "With this statement, the mayor and Raleigh City Council show they are ready to move forward and bring their focus back to city issues and shared values."

Jewish Community Relations Council Chair Mark Goldhaber released a statement of his own too.

"While we are grateful that this particular debate has reached its conclusion, we hope every day that the Israel-Hamas War ends as soon as possible and the hostages are returned home," Goldhaber said.