This Wednesday, January 31, the City Council is slated to vote on a resolution that would threaten Israel’s security. Tens of thousands of Chicagoans have a connection to the State of Israel, including myself, and Israel’s security is important to us. The resolution, as currently formulated, does not put the blame for the current war in Gaza on the perpetrator of the violence of October 7th – Hamas, a recognized terror organization. It does not call for the unconditional release of the hostages held by Hamas – including men, women and children, among them senior citizens and a one-year-old baby – right now. It does not give Israel the ability to choose the most effective way to protect its citizens and prevent future terrorist attacks. The proposed City Council resolution endorses and adopts United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 377, which the United States voted against. The purpose behind United Nations General Assembly Resolution 377 is to circumvent the United Nations Security Council, where the United States opposed and vetoed basically the same resolution. If the Chicago City Council endorses UNGA Resolution 377, not only will Chicago go on the record opposing President Biden and US foreign policy, but it will be siding countries like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, all of whom supported UNGA Resolution 377. UNGA Resolution 377 is advisory and has zero legal meaning. There is no reason why Chicago should go on record undermining U.S. foreign policy and the President for a merely symbolic statement.

This Wednesday, January 31, the City Council is slated to vote on a resolution that would threaten Israel’s security. Tens of thousands of Chicagoans have a connection to the State of Israel, including myself, and Israel’s security is important to us. The resolution, as currently formulated, does not put the blame for the current war in Gaza on the perpetrator of the violence of October 7th – Hamas, a recognized terror organization. It does not call for the unconditional release of the hostages held by Hamas – including men, women and children, among them senior citizens and a one-year-old baby – right now. It does not give Israel the ability to choose the most effective way to protect its citizens and prevent future terrorist attacks. The proposed City Council resolution endorses and adopts United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 377, which the United States voted against. The purpose behind United Nations General Assembly Resolution 377 is to circumvent the United Nations Security Council, where the United States opposed and vetoed basically the same resolution. If the Chicago City Council endorses UNGA Resolution 377, not only will Chicago go on the record opposing President Biden and US foreign policy, but it will be siding countries like China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, all of whom supported UNGA Resolution 377. UNGA Resolution 377 is advisory and has zero legal meaning. There is no reason why Chicago should go on record undermining U.S. foreign policy and the President for a merely symbolic statement.