Rockford official withdraws request for vote on Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Rockford Ald. Bill Rose, D-9, is rescinding his request for the city's Democratic caucus to back a letter supporting a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war while accusing Israel of targeting civilians and aid workers, committing war crimes and conducting a genocide.
The letter glosses over Hamas' role in starting the conflict when the militant group on Oct. 7 attacked Israel, killing more than 1,200 people and taking more than 240 people hostage. It also downplays concerns about antisemitism at college campus protests.
In an email, Rose challenged fellow Democrats on City Council to vote as a caucus to support his letter "if you have the courage."
He said he was trying to represent the views of traumatized Middle Eastern and Muslim constituents who have family in Gaza and that he was challenging long accepted American narratives of the Middle East conflict.
But during a phone interview Tuesday, Rose said that it has become clear that Democratic aldermen don't all share his views.
"It's pretty apparent to me that there's some division in our party," Rose said. "I don't think that moving this item forward would accomplish the intended goals. I'm still going to send my own official letter to, you know, various stakeholders as a politician representing the 9th Ward of Rockford. Just to say these are my thoughts and feelings on the war."
Ald. Jonathan Logemann, D-2, an Illinois Army National Guard officer, said he is an advocate for a just peace in Israel and Palestine. He did not support Rose's proposal as it was written and presented to the Democratic caucus.
"As someone who has taken rounds from terrorist organizations funded by Iran in Afghanistan, I laughed out loud when I read the challenge of courage," Logemann said. "I would encourage Ald. Rose to engage with federal decision makers on this matter as a more constructive route to his aims."
Several pro-Palestinian speakers have addressed City Council during public comments in recent weeks weeks asking for the city to back a ceasefire resolution.
The Rockford Register Star sent an email to all Rockford aldermen asking what their position was and if they thought the city should approve a resolution.
Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara spoke to City Council members about the potential for some sort of resolution, but has not brought one forward. McNamara said he has worked with Muslim and Jewish leaders since October in an effort to do what is best for local residents.
“Rockford is home to a diverse community of individuals, including those with ties to Israel and Palestine," McNamara said. "I know the ongoing conflict in the Middle East impacts the lives and well-being of these local residents. I’m in discussions with Shahid Naseer of the Muslim Association and Rabbi Binah Wing on how best to address this locally.”
Ald. Kevin Frost, R-4, said he is an alderman representing the city of Rockford. He said his constituents understand that he is not a member of Congress which recently approved legislation providing additional aid to Ukraine and Israel. Frost said he is hopeful for a peaceful resolution to both wars.
"As a city, we need to focus on matters in front of us that affect our city, our public safety, our economic development, our employment, our budget, our finances and other local concerns that we can affect in a positive nature," Frost said. "We should not spend council time on foreign wars where we have no impact."
Ald. Chad Tuneberg, R-3, said there was a ceasefire agreement in place in the Middle East until it was broken by Hamas on Oct. 7.
"The details of the butchery committed, especially the barbaric sexual acts committed against innocent women and children before they were murdered, cannot even be printed in this newspaper," Tuneberg said.
Tuneberg said Israel is fighting a "terrorist organization that will not stop until Israel ceases to exist. All the while, 'From the river to the sea!' the antisemitic terrorist supporters chant."
Rose argues that Israel's response to the attack has crossed a line.
Rose said it has included the bombing of civilians, universities, schools and hospitals. Gaza Health Ministry officials say 34,535 Palestinians have been killed. But he said he knows there is not much of a chance that a ceasefire resolution would be approved by the full City Council.
He said that was why he was bringing his letter to the Democratic caucus, not to avoid scrutiny. He said it was a draft that could be molded to suit the views of the caucus and then could be sent to political leaders.
Ald. Mark Bonne, D-14, said bringing the letter to caucus appeared to be an attempt to keep it out of the glare of news media. Bonne said that for a city resolution to be helpful and not hurtful, it would have to be drafted by the mayor in consultation with faith leaders.
“None of us wants to see this horror rage on, and we all sympathize with everyone in Rockford whose families are directly impacted," Bonne said. "But I don’t believe most voters elected us to try to conduct foreign policy, nor do I believe a council resolution will have any influence in the tragic course of events, other than to further divide us as a community."
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford official not pursuing ceasefire resolution
