Gainey spokesperson resigns after signing anti-Israel petition
The referendum would require the City of Pittsburgh to boycott entities doing business with Israel
Maria Montaño, Mayor Ed Gainey’s communications director, resigned Wednesday following revelations that she signed a petition seeking a referendum for the city to boycott entities doing business with Israel.
Montaño was one of several staffers of various city officials who signed the petition, which is being challenged in Allegheny County Court by City Controller Rachael Heisler, and also by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, joined by Rabbi Seth Adelson, Cantor Laura Berman, Rabbi Daniel Fellman and Rabbi Yitzi Genack.
A hearing on the challenges to the referendum will be held on Monday, Aug. 19, before Judge John T. McVay.
Montaño began working with the Gainey administration in 2022 as a press secretary and made history by being the first openly transgender woman to serve as press secretary in Pittsburgh.
The proposed referendum, promoted on the website “No War Crimes on Our Dime” and various anti-Israel social media sites, is fiscally sponsored by the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America. If passed, it could prevent city officials from carrying out basic government functions “like providing electricity, purchasing life-saving medications, buying protective equipment for first responders, and even fueling police vehicles, to name a few,” Heisler told the Chronicle. “It would severely disrupt the city’s entire contracting process, causing tremendous inefficiency and creating a massive risk of financial waste.”
Jeff Finkelstein, President and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, said that the proposed referendum “is not only illegal but also a dangerous and insidious attempt to target local entities connected to the State of Israel.”
“This measure will do nothing to impact policy in the Middle East, but it will impose an unreasonable burden on our city and its Jewish institutions, synagogues and other houses of worship,” he added.
On Thursday, Gainey’s office released a statement thanking Montaño for her service. The statement continued:
“The war in Gaza is a very charged topic that has engaged the passion and activism of many of our residents. Pittsburgh is home to many people connected to the conflict; that has created both new divisions between and within communities, as well as opportunities for us to understand one another and to keep each other safe. As Mayor, my priority is the safety of every resident and the creation of unity. As such, the focus of my administration has been, and will always continue to be, the safety of the residents who live here.
“This focus has been evident in every action we have taken, actions which have often drawn criticism as well as praise. This was displayed in my administration’s efforts to bring to the table members of the Palestinian, Muslim and Jewish communities to listen to their concerns in order to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the encampment at the University of Pittsburgh. This was also displayed in our continued engagement and dialogue with leaders of the Jewish community, as well as the public condemnation of acts of antisemitism. The efforts of my administration exemplify our commitment to EVERY resident.
“Maria’s decision to resign from her position was her own and reflects her selfless desire to keep the focus of the administration on the required work and mission of creating a safe and welcoming city for all. I ask that every Pittsburgh resident extend grace, respect, and privacy to Ms. Montaño during this time.
“Finally, it is important to reiterate my administration’s commitment to supporting the full civil and political rights of our employees, who are free to advocate as they see fit, whether or not their views agree with my own. I will always uphold their freedom to participate in our democracy and to express their moral and political beliefs.”
Several Pennsylvania politicians spoke out against the petition for the referendum.
Sen. John Fetterman posted on X (formerly Twitter): “I unequivocally condemn this referendum. It’s rank antisemitism and is an affront to the region’s Jewish community.”
Sen. Bob Casey posted on X: “I strongly condemn this referendum which targets Pittsburgh’s Jewish community and Jewish organizations. As antisemitic incidents are on the rise across the Nation, I will always stand with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and across the Commonwealth.”
Dave McCormick, who is challenging Sen. Bob Casey for his Senate seat, posted on X: “I stand hand-in-hand with Pittsburgh’s Jewish Community in their battle against this abhorrent antisemitic referendum targeting those who do business with Israel. It is beyond comprehension that Pittsburgh, as the site of the worst antisemitic attack in US history, continues to be subject to an onslaught of hate. In a city that has long been home to a vibrant and historic Jewish community, it is unacceptable that this community, alongside the sole Jewish homeland, continues to be singled out and targeted. We have to put to an end to these dangerous and insidious attacks on our Jewish community and attempts to illegitimize Israel.” PJC
Toby Tabachnick can be reached at ttabachnick@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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