Athens community members ask City Council to call for ceasefire in Gaza

Athens City Council heard from a crowded audience of community members regarding the war in Gaza during their meeting on Monday night. 

Many citizens of Athens attended this week’s City Council meeting to discuss actions that the community could take in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. A group of people who advocated for a ceasefire in Gaza collaborated on a proposed resolution for City Council to consider. Beyond being a public call for a ceasefire, the proposed resolution also called for the United States to fund humanitarian aid in the region and to halt all funding of Israel’s war.

During the allotted time for public input, many took the opportunity to appeal to the council. Others waited in the hallway due to overcrowding in the Council Chambers. When the time was up, the council granted the audience 15 additional minutes to continue the discussion. One attendee held up a Palestinian flag throughout the meeting, while others in attendance stepped forward to defend Israel.

Alisha Bicknell, an Athens community member and Ohio U alumnus, discussed the United States' support of Israel, including Ohio’s extensive support of Israel through bonds. 

Describing Israel’s actions as genocide, Bicknell said, “I am extremely dissatisfied with current government leadership in both Ohio and the U.S.”

In October 2023, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague announced his intention “to purchase $20 million in five-year, fixed-rate Israel Bonds,” according to a statement from the Ohio Treasurer’s Office. The statement went on to say, “With the upcoming purchase, the Ohio Treasury will hold a total of $187.5 million in Israel Bonds, continuing Ohio’s standing as one of the largest government holders of these bonds in the United States.”

Bicknell also discussed President Joe Biden’s actions in December 2023, bypassing congress on two occasions to approve emergency weapons sales to Israel.

Many of those who spoke before the Council cited statistics that illustrated examples of the violence in Gaza. However, Bicknell argued that beyond any numbers, the people who are impacted by the conflict should be taken into consideration when calling for a ceasefire. 

The call for a ceasefire in Gaza was not unanimous. Rabbi Levi Raichik, director of Chabad, the Jewish student organization on Ohio U’s campus, also spoke before City Council. 

“I don’t think the time is now to debate the details of everything that has been said here,” Raichik said, stating that he would be happy to debate at a future committee meeting where the proposed draft of a resolution could be discussed.

Instead, Raichik read passages from the Bible to illustrate, as he said, “the connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel.”

Raichik read aloud several passages from Genesis, before concluding by saying, “The city of Athens has an opportunity to stand with the Jewish people, to bring blessings of prosperity of happiness and peace for all of our citizens.”

Following Raichik’s testimony, Barbara Lyons, a relatively new resident of Athens and member of Jewish Voice for Peace, spoke. 

“It sickens me when people think that every Jew is a Zionist. There is a difference. Zionists are Nazis, and there’s no other way to say it,” Lyons said. 

Lyons went on to argue that this issue is political, not religious, and is important regardless of whether someone believes in the Bible or not. At the end of her testimony, Lyons said, “Please, let me be proud of my new city,” imploring the council to consider the draft resolution.

According to City Council’s procedure for moving forward with a draft of a proposed resolution, a member of the council may choose to take on the responsibility of the resolution. That council member would call a meeting for the Committee of the Whole to discuss the resolution. During the meeting, no members of the council chose to do so. 

“Personally, having heard many impassioned pleas today, I think it would be premature for anybody to do that without some thought and reflection. So, I would respectfully ask that per our normal deadline, that someone, if they so desire, submit that to the Clerk of Council by 4 o’clock, close of business, Wednesday,” said Councilmember Alan Swank.

In other business, Councilmember Solveig Spjeldnes introduced several ordinances for a first reading, including authorizing the Service-Safety Director to close streets in the uptown area during events in 2024, allowing vending in event areas and suspending the enforcement of the pre-existing noise ordinance during events. Spjeldnes also introduced an ordinance suspending parking enforcement from Dec. 15, 2024 through Jan. 12, 2025.

Spjeldnes also discussed improving the traffic lights on East State Street. She introduced a resolution authorizing the Service-Safety Director to advertise, accept bids, and enter contracts as the project commences.

Additionally, an ordinance introduced by Councilmember Micah McCarey passed, authorizing expenditures to renovate the Richland Avenue Playground for improved accessibility, and representatives from HAPCAP announced that Athens Public Transit would be having a “Free Fare Day” on Friday, Feb. 16.