Wayne council urges cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war, ends weeks of local upheaval
WAYNE — The Township Council passed a symbolic resolution this week to call for a peaceful end to the Israel-Hamas war in which tens of thousands of people have died.
The action by the Republican-led council urges a cease-fire plus the release of hostages. It comes two and a half months after its members approved a measure in support of Israel.
It also comes days after Vice President Kamala Harris, while giving a speech in Alabama, called for the fighting to stop for at least six weeks.
Local Palestinians vehemently objected to the council passing what they considered a one-sided resolution on Dec. 20, so elders of their community met privately with rabbis and township officials to draft a new document that satisfied everyone.
“We’re never going to solve all the problems of the world,” said Mayor Christopher Vergano. “But I think this moves us a little bit closer,” and it “brings the community a little bit closer.”
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The resolution passed Wednesday night by a vote of 6-0, with one abstention and two council members absent.
It recognizes “beautiful diversity” in the township and that “all human life is precious.” In approving the resolution, the council condemned terrorism and pressed for more humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, to be sent to the Gaza Strip.
At least three other local governments in Passaic County — Haledon, Paterson and Prospect Park — passed similar resolutions to demand a pause to the bloodshed.
The issue is a knotty one for elected officials across the country.
Those in St. Paul, Minnesota, passed a cease-fire measure this week, according to an online report, but only after weeks of pressure by Palestinians in the capital city.
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Seven hundred miles away, in Louisville, Kentucky, a city leader reportedly vowed to not allow a vote to take place on a proposed cease-fire resolution. And in Raleigh, North Carolina, officials were at an impasse.
That the Wayne council became involved in Middle East affairs is regrettable, said Councilwoman Francine Ritter.
“This should never have happened in this council chamber,” said Ritter, who identified herself as a descendent of Holocaust survivors. “It’s not in our lane.”
Ritter, the only Democrat on the council, said she voted in favor of the new resolution out of fairness to both sides. The first resolution was “divisive,” she said.
The new resolution was co-sponsored by Council President Jason DeStefano and Councilman Michael Fattal, the latter of whom was not on the governing body when it initially took up the matter.
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DeStefano introduced the new resolution by reading a joint letter from 10 people. He said the pushback that he and other township officials received at the end of last year was unexpected.
“What’s being presented here is the result of a very lengthy process that will pay dividends for all Wayne residents,” DeStefano said. “Our goal is to move forward as a cohesive and united community.”
Cooperation between local Jews and Palestinians shows that they can respect each other, Fattal said, even if they disagree on certain aspects of the ongoing war. “There’s a bigger picture to all of this,” he said, adding that he felt “beyond proud.”
Maimoon Mustafa, who was among the Palestinian elders to assist in drafting the new resolution, said he was “extremely pleased” with the final product. The council support is a “turning point for us,” he said.
“We’re excited for what the future holds for our community in this great township,” Mustafa said. “There’s a global movement for peace all around the world, and with the passing of this resolution, Wayne is now joining in that movement.”
Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: devencentis@northjersey.com
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: In Wayne, calls for peace in the Middle East a 'turning point'