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Alexandria Human Rights Commission approves recommendation for Gaza ceasefire

Human Rights Commission meeting on March 20 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

After months of discussion, Alexandria’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) voted in favor of a recommendation that City Council pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The workroom in City Hall was packed to standing-room-only with supporters of the ceasefire resolution who have been active for months in both Human Rights Commission meetings and City Council public hearings calling for a ceasefire resolution.

While there have been conflicts between Israel and Palestine for decades, the latest conflict started on Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage. After the attack, Alexandria’s City Hall was lit in blue and white in support of Israel.

Since then, Israel’s attack on Gaza has caused extensive civilian casualties and devastated much of Gaza. Several cities around the United States have issued calls for a ceasefire.

There’s been resistance to a ceasefire in Alexandria, however. The HRC had planned to vote on a resolution in February but was told that Commissions cannot pass resolutions and can only make recommendations to the city. The HRC was also told by a member of city staff that three elected officials asked that the HRC not send them a resolution on an international issue.

The HRC held off on voting on the issue until they could meet with the Office of the City Attorney, but a letter sent by City Attorney Cheran Ivery said “given what I have been told transpired at the most recent HRC meeting, I do not believe that would be a productive interaction, so I respectfully decline.

Ivery said in the letter that the HRC does not have the authority to pass resolutions, but that it can communicate its position to the City Council on a topic:

As previously stated in writing, and reiterated to the HRC by staff, it is the opinion of my office that the HRC lacks the authority to pass resolutions. This opinion has nothing whatsoever to do with the subject matter of any proposed resolution. Should the HRC desire to communicate its position to the city council on any topic, it certainly may do so in several different ways,e.g., a letter, report, or memorandum,to name a few mechanisms.

Much of the discussion from the HRC was on crafting language in their recommendation to avoid making it sound too much like a resolution, substituting instances of “request” and “call” to a softer “recommend.”

The final resolution read:

Recommendation to Join Representative Don Beyer in a call for a long-lasting Ceasefire in Gaza

The Alexandria Human Rights Commission accompanies our Jewish and Palestinian residents in their suffering in light of the horrific attacks of October 7th and the catastrophic loss of civilian life that has followed in Gaza.  During its last three meetings, the Commission has heard about the extreme emotional pain experienced by Alexandria residents who have strong personal ties to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.  These residents feel that their voices are not being heard as decisions directly affecting them are made by City, state, and federal officials.

Alexandria is a diverse city that welcomes people hailing from all corners of the globe and practicing all religions.  Consistent with the maxim that all human life is precious and must be protected, the City will not tolerate any acts of violence or hatred, including any antisemitic, Islamophobic, anti-Palestinian, or anti-Arab acts against our residents or visitors.  Residents may contact the Office of Human Rights if they are aware of any such events or have concerns to express.

After several months of hearing heartbreaking testimony, the Alexandria Human Rights Commission finds it imperative that we recommend the City Council to call for a durable ceasefire. Several cities around the country have adopted resolutions containing similar calls.

The Human Rights Commission of the City of Alexandria recommends that our City Council join us in echoing the call of Alexandria’s U.S. Representative Don Beyer on December 4th for a “durable ceasefire to secure the release of all hostages, a halt to attacks on Israel, the protection of civilian lives in Gaza, and an end to the appalling loss of life from this conflict.”

“This is about right and wrong,” said Matt Harris. “I think we’ve done the right thing here calling for a ceasefire in this terrible situation.”

Others said they regretted how long the process had taken.

“Several of us regret very much how long it has taken,” Tom Reeder said.

The recommendation passed with 13 in favor and one abstaining.

There were around 30 activists gathered at the far end of the room, many of them with signs sharing the names and photos of civilians killed in Gaza.

Comments from the audience expressed appreciation to the HRC for its work, saying the fight will continue with trying to get Alexandria’s City Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire.

“This issue has brought us public participation on an unprecedented scale,” said Marc Bendick Jr. “I hope that you will continue to be active in the city on many issues. Feel free at any time to come to this Commission because you have enriched us in this process.”

A large part of the discussion was also from members of the HRC encouraging activists to continue their work in Alexandria, combating both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Commission members also used the unique level of attendance at the meeting to encourage activists to:

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Gaza ceasefire resolution ruffles feathers in Alexandria City Hall

Protestors advocating for Palestinians’ inclusion to the Human Rights proclamation (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Within days of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, Alexandria’s City Hall was lit up with the colors of Israel. But after months of mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, a push for Alexandria to join cities calling for a ceasefire has faced significant opposition in City Hall.

A resolution calling for a ceasefire was raised as a recommendation at a Human Rights Commission (HRC) meeting earlier this month.

According to the city website, the HRC “works with businesses, community groups and individuals to facilitate understanding of rights and responsibilities; advises City Council and the City Manager on human rights issues; and holds public hearings on specific complaints.”

The recommendation condemns the “tragic loss of Israeli life on October 7 and we also denounce the indiscriminate retaliation by the state of Israel, enacting collective punishment on the people of Gaza.”

The resolution notes that Alexandria is home to a number of Biden Administration and Congressional staff, making the city uniquely positioned to apply pressure.

The resolution was not voted on after city staff said it was not within the purview of the HRC.

The central arguments against the resolution are that:

  • Commissions cannot pass resolutions, they can only make recommendations to the city
  • Taking a stance on an international conflict is outside of the scope of Alexandria’s Human Rights Commission

HRC members during the meeting expressed frustration with the first point and argued that, had City Attorney Cheran Ivery told that to the HRC with enough time before the meeting, the resolution could have been adjusted to match the required wording.

The main issue, however, was that city staff said some in city leadership didn’t want the ceasefire resolution to get to the dais.

In an audio recording of the meeting obtained by ALXnow, Jean Kelleher, director of the Office of Human Rights, said three elected officials told her they didn’t want the resolution to get to them.

“You may send something to City Council and ask them to consider it,” Kelleher said. “One of the issues was: there were three different elected officials who came to me and asked for the Commission not to send a specific resolution on an international issue.”

Kelleher said the frustrations from city leadership were that they saw the ceasefire as being outside of the HRC’s authority. A proclamation for Human Rights Month in October omitted references to Israel or Palestine in earlier drafts.

While resolutions on international incidents are rare, the City Council previously considered resolutions condemning the Iraq War and the genocide in Darfur.

“There was one flip comment at an executive committee meeting when I expressed that I had been asked by several members of the City Council to convey to the Human Rights Commission that they believe this was outside of the scope of the Commission and please not put forward a resolution on any issue related to an international issue,” Kelleher said.

Kelleher also said that she was asked by an HRC member “What can they do?” if the HRC sends the resolution to them anyway, and Kelleher said she told him that the Council could “fail to appoint you next time.” Kelleher said one City Council member flippantly repeated “well, we could fail to appoint someone.”

Multiple HRC members told ALXnow they interpreted the message as a threat against their positions on the Commission if they sent the resolution forward.

“I do not believe any City Council member in an election year would say that; that’s bologna,” said one HRC member. “I don’t think this was an above-the-board operation.”

Some at the meeting argued it was hypocritical of the City to light up City Hall in support of Israel and then say Alexandria doesn’t weigh into international politics when Palestinians are killed.

Not all members of the HRC agreed that the Commission should consider a ceasefire resolution.

“Our focus is on human rights within the city,” another commissioner said. “This is so outside of our wheelhouse.”

The City of Alexandria did not respond to a request for comment. Mayor Justin Wilson said he didn’t believe the city should weigh in on international conflicts.

Wilson sent ALXnow a message he said he sends to everyone who has written to him on the issue:

I generally don’t think the Alexandria City Council should be in the business of weighing in on the conduct of international conflicts. It’s not something we have expertise in, not something we have a professional staff to advise us on, and generally not all that productive. These are issues that are properly before our Federal policymakers and I am confident that Senator Warner, Senator Kaine and Congressman Beyer would welcome your input.

The City has condemned bigotry, discrimination, and violence against our Muslim and Palestinian brothers and sisters in the past by resolution and the commitments to stand with those who are victimized in our City.

What I will do is continue to advocate that those who do have the power to influence the conduct and outcome of international conflicts act to protect lives, free those unjustly held, and minimize displacement.

I certainly condemn attacks on civilians by both sides of this conflict, and would hope that the diplomatic efforts designed to release all hostages and dramatically increase humanitarian assistance to Gaza are fruitful in the very near term. My heart breaks for the families of Gaza uprooted, injured, and killed by this violence and the Israelis who have been killed, maimed and traumatized. The trauma on both sides of this conflict is unspeakable.

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