Pro-Palestine activists in Bethlehem take cease-fire matters into their own hands

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Just after midnight Wednesday, after nearly 60 people spoke passionately about Bethlehem City Council passing an Israel-Hamas war cease-fire resolution, pro-Palestine activists broke out a document of their own.

Just as council solicitor Stephanie Steward outlined state law regarding the Sunshine Act and calls that night for a vote on a cease-fire resolution without the proper item listed on the agenda, the audience erupted.

A couple of activists hoisted a broad sheet of paper featuring the group's own resolution, as one person called for a motion and a second. Calls for action shot across Town Hall.

“Cease-fire now!” those around the room then shouted for more than a minute straight, leading to confusion from council and ultimately an adjournment of the meeting not even halfway through the agenda.

Outside Town Hall and in front of the Bethlehem Area Public Library, the protesters gathered for a reading and discussion of the next steps for the resolution, which they said includes sending it to state and federal officials.

It said:

“RESOLUTION NO. 2024

“BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, That

WHEREAS, we the Council of the City of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, work to ensure the safety, health, dignity, and freedom of people everyday; and

WHEREAS, the war on Gaza has caused immense human suffering and loss of life; and

WHEREAS, we believe in the shared humanity of all people, and recognize the need to affirm our commitment to fundamental human rights in a city made stronger by Arab, Jewish, and Muslim constituents who feel deeply the local impact of a global human rights issue; and

WHEREAS, we stand against all acts of hate perpetrated against our constituents here in Bethlehem, especially as Islamophobic and antisemitic views increase in the United States; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the urgency of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the imperative need for immediate action to protect and save human lives; and

WHEREAS, we follow the lead of over 70 other localities in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza because what happens internationally impacts our constituents locally.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Council of the City of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, calls upon our Congressional Delegation to join us in:

1. Calling upon the Biden administration to immediately send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance at the scale needed into Gaza, beginning with a reinstatement of funding to UNRWA; and

2. Supporting an end to U.S. military funding to the State of Israel, and an end to U.S. tax dollars contributing to humanitarian catastrophe and genocide; and

3. Urging leaders to prioritize the safety and well-being of all hostages and detainees, recognizing their right to freedom and immediate and unconditional release.
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that upon passage, a copy of this resolution be sent to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Senator Robert P. Casey, Senator John K. Fetterman, and Representative Susan E. Wild.”

A number of signs dotted the council chambers, some reading “Jews for a free Palestine,” “You can’t bomb your way to peace” and “There’s no ‘both sides’ to a genocide.”

Statement from city council

The cease-fire activists were joined this time by Jewish people — both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel — after council two weeks ago showed some support for discussing appropriate language for a city-official cease-fire document to potentially consider a vote at a later time.

The last meeting only saw public comment from the pro-cease-fire side, whether Jewish or not.

That resolution wasn’t featured on Tuesday’s council agenda, leading to dismay — or joy — for those in the audience.

More than 100 people in favor of a cease-fire marched from Lehigh University to City Hall prior to the meeting, demanding more from their local representatives.

Though it wasn’t an official “cease-fire resolution" as some hoped for, city council did share a broader statement calling on federal lawmakers for an end to violence in not only the Israel-Hamas war but also around the globe.

It even touched on a local "rise" in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia here at home.

Here’s that statement:

“We, the members of Bethlehem City Council, having heard our constituents and feeling a responsibility to amplify their voices, write to you in recognition of your leadership and the power of your influence with respect to issues of national and international importance.

"Specifically, we implore your action with respect to the humanitarian crises around the globe, and particularly the October 7 attacks by Hamas and subsequent violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip. We have received significant constituent input on the matter. Not withstanding their diverse range of understanding and opinions regarding the roots of this historical conflict and appropriate pathways to resolution, citizens from all corners of our city are united in grief over the tens of thousands of civilian lives lost in this conflict.

"At the same time, our local community has been scarred by a rise in expressions of both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia since October 7. We recognize and appreciate Congresswoman Susan Wild's letter to President Biden, and the administration's recent efforts to provide aid to the region and bring an end to the violence.

"As the suffering continues and more lives are lost, we urge you to continue to leverage your power and international influence to secure the immediate entry and safe distribution of critical humanitarian assistance into Gaza, to facilitate the immediate and safe release of all hostages taken in the course of the conflict, to help facilitate the defeat of terrorism and an end to the violent conflict in Gaza, and to contribute to efforts towards lasting peace in the region.

"We call for you to take an active role in forging a path to lasting peace and justice around the world where societies can live freely and safely, and individuals can realize their full human potential. Please act with urgency, and use the power and influence of this great nation to protect civilian lives from violent conflict, to bring humanitarian assistance to those in need, and to encourage a culture of peace and respect across the globe and here at home.

"Only by taking action can you demonstrate your commitment to the notion that all human life — all races, ethnicities and religions — are valued, and to underscore that acts of terror, targeting civilians, are violations of international humanitarian law and will neither be tolerated or supported.”

Council President Michael Colón said he and other panel members had deliberated carefully over the past two weeks among all that was shared at the last meeting.

He said that in the meantime, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild had released a statement saying the United States should act with urgency to end the fighting in Gaza following President Joe Biden’s most recent remarks on moving toward peace.

“While our ability to effectuate change abroad may be limited, and despite sometimes hard frustrations, and shared frustrations, one thing that we all have unique control and power over is our actions here,” Colón said.

“We continue to want to create an environment here in Bethlehem where people feel welcome and people feel the freedom to pursue peace and joy, which we all share.”

Back-and-forth

Rabbi Steven Nathan, director of Jewish student life and associate chaplain at Lehigh University, said he didn’t speak Tuesday on behalf of his employer — but rather, he addressed himself as a Jew and progressive Zionist.

“That means I believe in the right for Israel to exist as a nation for the Jewish people, but it does not mean that I support the current government and many of its actions," Nathan said.

"So I should also say I do not speak for the entire Jewish community.

“It also means that there must be a home, a state for the Palestinian people, as well. Both people deserve a homeland and both deserve to live in peace.

“How that will happen and what shape it will take depends on the decision of their leaders who must follow the will of the people; a resolution in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, plays no role in this.”

Cory Fischer-Hoffman, a Bethlehem resident speaking on behalf of Jewish Voice for Peace and Jewish Mothers Against War Crimes, said it was time for city council to show “moral courage” by passing the “only humane response” — a cease-fire resolution.

“Passing a cease-fire resolution is not anti-Semitic,” Fischer-Hoffman said.

“Supporting a cease-fire resolution means that you see Palestinians as people and that as such, you acknowledge their unspeakable suffering.

"Supporting a cease-fire resolution means that you will not be a victim to propaganda that demands you strip others of their full humanity.”

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley President Robert Wax said he was speaking on behalf of more than 8,000 Jewish people from across the greater Lehigh Valley.

“Is Israel engaged in ethnic cleansing or committing genocide against the Palestinians? Absolutely not,” Wax said.

“While everyone wants peace in the Middle East, these issues are beyond the scope and jurisdiction of this body.

“Council has a lengthy agenda tonight and should remain focused on those items. If members of the crowd are unhappy with our federal government’s position on the conflict in Gaza, they should contact our federal legislators and stop creating distractions at municipal meetings so you can complete the work you were elected to perform.”

The Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley released a statement "strenuously" opposing the idea of a unilateral cease-fire resolution and supporting the letter from city council.

A number of the pro-Palestine group repeated that their calls and emails to local legislators and those beyond haven’t resulted in much lately — with one person calling it “radio silence” from representatives at this point.

Yaseen Saleh, of Lafayette College, said that’s the very reason why people have banded together to instill change directly from their local representation.

“We’re taking a step; this is government,” Saleh said.

“If you were to expect each one of us to walk all the way to D.C. every time we had a complaint that we wanted to bring up to the government, is that really what you think that government is supposed to be?”

A couple of the pro-Israel side said that the Ministry of Health in Gaza, which oversees the reporting of casualties, is not to be trusted since it’s part of a government controlled by Hamas.

Some on the pro-cease-fire side said one death is too many. And while some may disagree on the numbers, the graphic photos and videos circulating online tell the bulk of the story, one person said.

The latest

On Tuesday, Biden was reported to say there's been talks of a cease-fire and hostage-release negotiation, but it’s “in the hands of Hamas right now.”

Those in Bethlehem in favor of a cease-fire say that's no good and sending aid is not enough, as every day that passes takes lives with it.

Some of the same people have been in attendance at recent meetings in Easton and Allentown, to similar results.