Staying clear of controversial calls for a cease-fire, the Mountain View City Council last week issued a statement on the Gaza-Israel conflict, declaring support for impacted residents and calling for “sustained peace in the region.”
The Feb. 21 statement follows a Feb. 13 council meeting in which council members heard from residents on the both sides of the issue.
“We were horrified by the brutal violence on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants murdered 1,200 Israeli citizens and foreign nationals and took over 200 people hostage,” the statement read. “We are no less dismayed and saddened by the resulting war between Israel and Hamas, which has tragically claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and displaced over a million people.
“We mourn the loss of all innocent lives, grieve with our neighbors in Mountain View who have family members and friends in Israel and Gaza, and unequivocally condemn all actions that endanger innocent people. Further, we join other local elected officials in calling on international stakeholders to facilitate the immediate release of all hostages, the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and the cessation of hostilities that impede a just and enduring peace that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side.”
The council noted, “As a practice, the city does not take positions on matters related to U.S. foreign policy; however, we also recognize that many residents suffer great anxiety, exacerbated by the conflict, from the disturbing increase in anti-Semitism and Islamophobia throughout the country and even locally.
“The Mountain View City Council remains committed to protecting and uplifting all members of our city, rejects inflammatory and hateful language, and supports our neighbors who are in great pain. Mountain View is a Human Rights City, committed to respect for human dignity and equal rights, and we reject Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and discrimination in all its forms. We stand united against hate and are firmly committed to our guiding principle of creating a community for all. We encourage all residents to show compassion and empathy during these difficult times.”
From the city of Los Altos, to the Mountain View-Los Altos High School District and the Santa Clara County Office of Education, local governing boards have heard calls from some residents to take stances on the conflict, while hearing from others to stick with local issues.
