Pullman City Council will not set a precedent to weigh in on foreign affairs as a resolution calling for a Middle East cease fire has been rejected.
The issue was settled Tuesday night when the majority of councilmembers voted against moving the resolution forward.
The controversy began last spring when the Palouse Democratic Socialists of America demanded that council pass their resolution. It called for Israel to stop defending itself following the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack from Gaza and the kidnapping of Israeli hostages. That first resolution from the socialists claimed the Israeli response was an “occupation and apartheid in Palestine” and a “campaign of ethnic cleansing.” It also demanded that the City of Pullman divest from companies closely tied with Israel.
The first resolution was forwarded by Councilwoman Carla de Lira who is a member of the socialist group. It never advanced to a council vote.
Councilwoman de Lira with help from Councilman Eric Fejeran then crafted a more balanced resolution without city assistance. The pair held community listening sessions and drafted a new cease fire resolution. The second resolution condemned both Hamas and Israel for the deaths of thousands of civilians and called for the release of Israeli hostages. It also called for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel that’s used to target Palestinians.
The second resolution was brought back to council by de Lira and Fejeran last month. It was then forwarded to Tuesday’s meeting for a formal discussion by de Lira and Fejeran.
Ten citizens spoke in favor and four spoke against the resolution during testimony to city council Tuesday night.
Councilwoman de Lira continued to ask her fellow councilmembers to weigh in on the foreign war. You can listen to her comments below.
Councilwoman Pat Wright echoed the majority pointing out that foreign affairs isn’t appropriate for the City of Pullman. You can hear her comments below.
During discussion five councilmembers voiced opposition to the resolution primarily pointing out that’s its’ not the role of a small Eastern Washington municipality to weigh in on foreign affairs.
Eventually the decision came down to a motion to move the resolution to another council meeting and a request for the city’s attorney to review the resolution. The motion was rejected by only one vote as the newest city councilmembers de Lira, Fejeran and Trymaine Gaither tried to keep the controversial resolution alive. Veteran Councilmembers Wright, Nathan Weller, Ann parks and Megan Guido voted to end the issue.