UPDATED: LV Jewish Federation President Addresses Ceasefire Resolution in Bethlehem

As I write this story, people were still addressing Bethlehem City Council last night concerning the Israeli conflict in Gaza. It was standing room only, with at least 200 people filling the chamber and spilling out into the hallways. Just two weeks before, City Council rejected a one-sentence ceasefire resolution. They had promised to adopt a resolution of some sort at last night's meeting. But when the agenda for last night's meeting was published, no resolution of any sort was listed. This left many pro-Palestinian proponents feeling betrayed. Council President Michael Colon explained this failure by telling the audience that, instead of adopting a resolution, City Council opted to send a letter to federal officials expressing a desire for peace. 

Colon told several audience members that Council would violate the Sunshine Act by adopting a ceasefire resolution that it failed to include in its published agenda. That's certainly true. But guess what?  Council already violated the Sunshine Act when it decided, behind closed doors, to send a letter to federal elected officials. That should have been voted on in public and after deliberation, just as Easton City Council did when it recently adopted a resolution calling for peace. Bethlehem City Council did more than violate the Sunshine Act. It demonstrated that it is pretty much gutless and unwilling to discuss its decisions publicly. I expect this kind of cowardice from Colon, but am disappointed to see it in other members of City Council. 

Most of the people I heard speak wanted a cease-fire resolution, but the person who impressed me most was Robert Wax, President of the Lehigh Valley Jewish Federation. He represents 8,000 Jews in the Lehigh Valley. What he said was instructive, and I thought I'd share his remarks.

"The brutal atrocities on October 7 awakened many to the depravity of Hamas, the ruthless terrorist organization controlling Gaza with the stated goal of destroying Israel and murdering all Jews who live there. Over 1200 Israelis were savagely murdered. babies, yes, were burned and decapitated. Women, yes, were raped and subjected to sexual torture. And 240 Israelis, Americans and others were taken hostage. This was the most brutal attack on Jews since the Holocaust. And 140 hostages remain in captivity tonight. It's worth noting that this Council did not pass a resolution or take a position condemning those actions. 

"While the issues are complex, the following facts, yes, facts, are intended to provide you with a deeper understanding of the conflict. 

"First, what does Hamas want from Israel? Hamas wants to take the land "from the river to the sea." For those unfamiliar with this phrase, it means Hamas seeks all the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, In other words, all of Israel. This is not a compromise position. Unfortunately, over the past few months, protesters have continually repeated this threat from Hamas across the United States and even in Bethlehem and on our local college campuses. Some knowingly, and others unknowingly, calling for an entire country and its people to be wiped off the face of the earth.

"Has Israel offered land in exchange for peace? Yes, many times. The Palestinian Authority, formerly known as the PLO international terrorist organization and neighboring Arab countries, rejected nine peace plans between 1947 and 2019. Each of these peace plans would have created a state for the Palestinian people. 

"Does Israel occupy Gaza? No, Israel does not occupy Gaza. In 2005, Israel unilaterally evacuated the Gaza strip. Regrettably, the Palestinians elected Hamas into power, and Hamas began diverting humanitarian aid to support its military operations and began its reign of terror, including the October 7 massacre. 

"So what is the role of the United Nations and the United States?  The UN, through its refugee agency, has allowed humanitarian aid to be diverted to Hamas and other terrorist organizations, and employees of the UN participated in the attacks on Israeli citizens on October 7. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas pay families of terrorists who murder innocent Israelis a success bonus and a monthly stipend in perpetuity. In 2018, Congress passed the Taylor Force Act, which reduces economic aid to the Palestinian Authority until it ends this policy, which continues today. 

"Who else funds Hamas? Iran. Iran has sent hundreds of millions of dollars to Hamas and provides military training to the terrorists. How would residents of Bethlehem feel if a terrorist organization funded by Iran launched thousands of missiles at our families from UN sponsored schools and hospitals just a few miles away? Would we be calling for a cease fire or would we be asking our government to protect us from the terrorists targeting our homes? 

"And how does the Israeli Defense Force respond? The IDF is more cautious about mitigating civilian casualties than any other military in modern times. The IDF uses efforts, where possible, to warn civilians before bombing in populated areas. Hamas, unfortunately, hides weapons and terrorist command centers in schools and hospitals, using human civilian shields to protect its terrorist activities. It takes civilians as hostages. It launches thousands of rockets on civilian populations in Israel.

"Is Israel engaged in ethnic cleansing or committing genocide against the Palestinians? Absolutely not. Between 1948 and 2023, the combined Jewish population in Arab countries surrounding Israel dropped from 985,000 Jews to 12,000 Jews, representing a decrease of 99% and leaving Israel - a country the size of New Jersey - as the sole safe haven for Jews in the entire Middle East. During the same period, the number of Arabs in Israel increased from 156,000 to 2.1 million, and the number of Arabs living in Gaza increased from 80,000 to 2 million. So claims of ethnic cleansing or genocide are patently untrue. 

"Have other municipalities passed ceasefire resolutions? 99.7% of municipalities in America have not done so, and neither should Bethlehem City Council. 

"With all due respect, while everyone wants peace in the Middle East, these issues are clearly beyond the scope and jurisdiction of this body. Council has a lengthy agenda tonight, and it 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 that you can complete the work you were elected to perform." 

10:15 AM UPDATE: After five hours, the meeting ended in chaos. The City Council Solicitor began to discuss policy instead of the law. People continued speaking and then began chanting, "Cease Fire Now! Cease Fire Now!" Colon, who has spent most of his political career looking for a spine, failed to find one last night. The police chief approached the dais and said the meeting had to end. Eventually, the meeting adjourned without conducting any City business as audience members shouted "Stay!"

Gaza Supporters to March on Bethlehem City Hall For Cease-Fire

According to Substack site Lehigh Valley Left View, Gaza supporters plan to march on Bethlehem City Hall tonight to demand their City Council adopt a cease fire resolution of the Israeli-Gaza conflict.  

"At Bethlehem city council’s last meeting (on 2/20), dozens of speakers pleaded with the city council to pass a ceasefire resolution. Councilperson Bryan Callahan pushed for an immediate vote on a simple, one-sentence resolution, but council decided to take two weeks to articulate a longer, formal document, promising such a resolution would manifest on the agenda for this week’s March 5th meeting. With the deadline for altering that agenda having passed at the end of last week, we now know the city council has broken their promise. This makes the event Tuesday all the more important."

In another story, this group contends that democracy is nonexistent in the Lehigh Valley because the democratically elected representatives of the people in Allentown and Easton refused (1) a proposal to send social workers instead of police in response to 9-1-1 calls; and (2) a ceasefire resolution in Gaza. 

"As bitter a pill as it may be, the reality is that we do not engage in politics on a terrain where the majority wins, where social benefit is the goal, or even a terrain where debate is encouraged. Instead, the wealthy (more precisely, the capitalists) consolidate power, organize society for their narrow benefit, and discourage discussion."

If they want to see democracy denied, they should try living in any Middle Eastern country outside of Israel. 

Will Bethlehem City Council Take Stance on Israeli-Gaza Conflict?

When Bethlehem City Council last met, they were besieged by a rowdy audience demanding that they adopt a cease-fire resolution concerning the Israeli-Gaza conflict. They just happened to have a draft, too. Council member Bryan Callahan wanted to adopt it on the spot. But as Council member Colleen Laird pointed out, they needed time to consider the matter. Just as members of the audience had time to draft their resolution, City Council should be extended that same courtesy. So no resolution was adopted. As of late last night, no such resolution appears on the agenda for Tuesday night's meeting. 

Last week, Easton City Council rejected a cease-fire resolution sponsored by Council member Taiba Sultana in a 6-1 vote. But the adopted a general resolution calling for peace, with only Sultana in opposition. 

Members of the Bethlehem and Easton audiences were festooned in the kaffiyehs in some attempt to show solidarity with Palestinians. Ironically, that garment was worn by Bedouins in rural areas to protect themselves from the sun. More urban Palestinians traditionally wore a fez, but I guess that's less fashionable. 

My brother Mike lives in Bethlehem. I'm rather secular, but he's heavily involved in his church. He has written to City Council and has suggested that a day of prayer and reflection might be the best approach. I doubt a City Council can urge a day of prayer and reflection, but it can urge a day of reflection. 

Hello, 

After listening to the statements last evening concerning a ceasefire resolution, here are my comments and observations. 

• Council is to be commended for their tolerant and respectful behavior, even when many unfair comments were made about elected officials' presumed motives and opinions. 
• Many of the comments were overtly antisemitic/racist: One speaker's statement, "From the river to the sea." is clearly a racist statement expressing the desire to remove by any means necessary the Jewish people from their county.
• There are two sides to the story. Little was said about the brutal and horrific attacks that were made on October 7th against innocent women, children and elderly Jewish citizens. There were also American citizens who were killed and taken as hostages. Statements that were made about the October 7th attacks were made in the context that they were falsely reported or did not happen.   
• If Hamas would lay down their weapons and surrender, there would be an immediate ceasefire. 
• The Hamas charter includes language that call for the elimination of the Jewish nation. 
• Many of the speakers disqualified themselves with their hateful and arrogant rhetoric. Some should have been removed from the room for outbursts outside of decorum. 
• Statements of fact were made that were anecdotal and not supported by data.  

City Council needs to be cautious in resolutions calling for a ceasefire:

• Language should be carefully chosen to avoid any misinterpretation that could be considered racist or antisemitic. 
• Mayor Reynolds' suggestion was noteworthy: calling for peace rather than a ceasefire. "Ceasefire" is becoming a politically charged word. 
• There are many Bethlehem Jewish and Christian citizens who have good reasons to be supportive of Israel. Their views should be valued and respected. 
• The resolution should include a call for mutual respect and tolerance among all religions and groups within our city. 
• Council can lead by calling for a city-wide day of reflection/prayer/mediation and hosting respectful conversations with diverse groups to foster greater understanding and respect.  

Wishing you all well as you craft the resolution.  

Easton City Council's Foreign Affairs Division Poised to Take Up Ceasefire Resolution Again on Wednesday

On Wednesday, Easton City Council will once again take up the Israeli-Gaza ceasefire resolution being promoted by Council member Taiba Sultana. So far, only the United Nations has weighed in on this topic. The world awaits Easton. 

Last time this came up, Sultana packed the room with emotional supporters while she used every chance she had to promote herself and condemn others on Council, even suggesting to Roger Ruggles that city service "may not be for you." 

This time around, the Jewish community has been alerted. It opposes Sultana's ceasefire resolution because it is inappropriate for the city council level of government. 

You can submit your own message to Easton City Council on this topic. Here's what I sent. 

I urge you to reject Sultana's resolution because her sole purpose in presenting it is to promote herself, not a peaceful resolution of a centuries-old conflict. While we all condemn the loss of innocent life, I am primarily concerned about the loss of innocent Jewish and Muslim lives here in the Lehigh Valley. Sultana's resolution drives a wedge between our religious communities at a time when they should be united. Her divisive actions also could inspire attacks at both synagogues and mosques from people who hate Jews or Muslims.

Middle East War Breaks Out at Easton City Council

Easton City Council member Taiba Sultana was arrested in late July for domestic assault, and even spent a sultry evening in the hoosegow. But she's now all about peace and wanted City Council members to join her last night to call on Congress and the Governor to endorse a "Ceasefire Now" resolution being pushed by left-leaning members of the House.  Though the Ceasefire Now resolution is itself rather innocuous, Sultana never bothered to attach it to her own resolution. And her own resolution is one-sided. It accuses Israel of "targeting civilians" and claims incorrectly that President Joe Biden has advocated increased escalation by Israel when he's actually pressured Netanyahu to delay his ground war.  It never even mentions Hamas, which started the latest chapter in this never-ending conflict. Finally, she submitted her resolution at the last-minute, though she was sure to pack the meeting room with pro-Palestinian supporters. City Council accordingly voted 5-2 to strike Sultana's proposed resolution from last night's agenda, but that was only the beginning of a near war that erupted in City Council, as an emotional Sultana did her best to incite an equally intense mob that was at times completely out of control. 

Voting to strike the proposed resolution from the agenda were Sal Panto, Jim Edinger, Roger Ruggles, Peter Melan and Ken Brown. Voting to consider it were Sultana and Dave O'Connell. 

This is where things should have ended, but it's where it began .After all, this is Easton. While claiming to be solely interested in a ceasefire, Sultana in the same breath and sentence was accusing Israel of genocide. Sal Panto spoke glowingly of his Palestinian taxicab driver when he visited Israel a few years ago. Roger Ruggles said he has difficulty sleeping at night, so he listens to BBC and knows there are genocides all over the place. He wondered whether Easton should take a stand on them all. 

After going back and forth among each other, the floor was opened up for agenda items only, and most people addressed the Ceasefire Resolution that had already been removed. Remember, this is Easton.   

Yaseen Saleh, a Lafayette College student, actually spoke twice. He expressed some concern for his own safety, although I'm pretty sure Mossad was in Bethlehem last night to try out the new Peruvian chicken restaurant on Broad Street. He noted that, according to UNICEF, 2,300 Palestinian children have already died as a result of the Israeli bombing in Gaza. "By shutting down this resolution, we are shutting down the voices of those who are dying," he lamented.

Next up was fireball An-nisa Muqtadir, a very well-spoken resident, who reminded Council that she has voted in every election since she turned 18. She was furious with Mayor Sal Pnato, who earlier stated he does not speak for the City of Easton. "You say you don't speak for the City of Easton? Actually, you do. Every single one of you do." She reminded Panto that he once told her, "We are a voice for you.' Do not go back on your words now."

She made clear that "[w]e are against genocide, illegal occupation. Look at how many people have died and look at the definition of genocide." She slammed Easton for having a Christopher Columbus statue in close proximity to one of Larry Holmes. "Tell me how that makes sense. Tell me where it makes sense to put a colonizer and colonized together." 

In Easton. 

When her five minutes were up, she continued speaking anyway. "I am a citizen of Easton " She was incensed because she thought Council members were laughing at her. I'll tell you I doubt that very much. She was not only eloquent, but I think she could take down all five behind the dais in the blink of an eye. Her mike was eventually cut, but I could hear her saying, "I am not finished." As she spoke, another woman placed herself between Muqtadir and City Council while a third woman stood in solidarity next to her. 

I thought for sure that Muqtadir would be yanked, especially since two police officers were there on loan from Mossad. But they let her go. This is Easton. Ken Brown began talking to the triumvirate in soothing tones about giving respect to get respect.  Downtown Kenny Brown was a basketball referee so he knows how to mollify angry mobs as he's covered several Central Catholic games. 

Following fireball Muqtadir was Raya Abdelaal, a Palestinian who said she lives in Nazareth, of all places. After her grandfather left Palestine in '48, he was never allowed to return. He died in Syria. Her grandmother was displaced by war three times. "I am a product of war," she asserted. She brought pictures of children she claims were killed by Israeli bombs, adding little stories about the hopes of each of them. "And I have thousands more!" she cried out in anguish, as other photos fell out of her hands and onto the floor.

"When you question why this should be here, it makes me feel that you question the identity of all Palestinians in the United States," she posited somewhat illogically.

She also derided the 5-minte rule on public comment. "The Nazis also said we need to follow the rules when they were killing the Jews. ... The world said never again, but it's happening again." Look, I'm a big advocate of public comment and just had a big argument with a Northampton County Council member about this, but I think it's a tad ridiculous to equate a five-minute public comment rule with the Nazi Final Solution.  

She told Easton City Council that she wants to return to Palestine. "Do you think I want to be here right now? Don't you think I had a right to grow up in Palestine?" She also told them to disregard biased media reports and "look outside regular media."

That's exactly what right wingnuts say too. 

She closed with a text message allegedly sent by a Palestinian under a pile of rubble. "I'm screaming. Nobody can hear me. That's all I have to say."

Unfortunately for Sultana, there was an Israeli in the audience. Hagai Feiner is not in Mossad (at least I don't think he is), but did serve in the Israeli Air Force for four years before coming here in 1998. "I've seen first hand the impact of terror," he said.  "My sister was injured and had half of her leg blown off by Hezbollah terrorists shooting over the border from Lebanon into Israel." He also lost a family member three weeks ago in Gaza. He was used as a human shield when Hamas made their escape from Israel and was then shot in the head when his usefulness came to an end. Despite this, "I feel all of the pain in this room," he said. But he took Sultana to task and declared she has an agenda. 

He pointed to Sultana's false Facebook claim that Israel has bombed a Gaza hospital and killed 500 when it was actually a misfire from terrorists. "Miss Sultana has an agenda beyond the pain. There are lies that are being spread on the Internet about my people, which also incites violence. This is not just a call for a ceasefire. There was never a call for the release of the American hostages who are still being held in Gaza. Where is that?'

"I know that this hurts," he told everyone.. "It hurts me, too."  But he's bothered by the misstatements Sultana has made online. 

Will there ever be peace? "That may not be achievable when our children are beheaded," Feiner observed. "No posts about that. It's condemnable, but did you actually condemn it?" he asked Sultana. "I will condemn Israel's acts against any innocent person, but Israel's also fighting guerilla warfare, where Hamas is embedded within a civilian population.." 

He warned there are "two sides to this story and we have a City Council member misrepresenting the facts." 

Would not be the first time. 

Easton Solicitor Joel Scheer suggested this issue should be brought to Northampton County Council, so this may be making the rounds.

Sen. Bernie Sanders On Gaza

Senator Bernie Sanders (I. Vt.) view on what is going on in Gaza pretty much matches my own beliefs:

He condemned the "barbarous" terrorist attack by Hamas and said that Israel has "the absolute right to defend itself against Hamas and terrorism in general." He called the mowing down of innocent Israelis a "horrific act precipitating a worldwide crisis."

He reminds us, however, that right now, "there are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children in Gaza who have lost their homes, they've been thrown out of their homes, they have no food, they have no water, they have no fuel. ... {H]alf of those people are children."

...

""We have got to do everything that we can to make sure that not one nickel goes to the murderous Hamas organization. But at the same time we have got to stand with the innocent women and children in Palestine who are suffering today and are facing an almost unprecedented modern humanitarian disaster

...

"[W]hile we do our best to support Israel and destroy Hamas, please, let us not turn our back on the suffering people in Gaza. This is not what we should be doing, not what Congress should be doing, and therefore I object."

Sanders was objecting to a measure that would have blocled humanitarian aid.