Lessons from Allegheny County Council
OpinionEditorial

Lessons from Allegheny County Council

We must be vigilant in correcting misinformation about Israel, whenever and wherever we hear it.

Allegheny County Council voted  on a cease fire resolution introduced by Bethany Hallam and co-sponsored by Anita Prizio and Dan Gryzbek. (Photo by David Rullo)
Allegheny County Council voted on a cease fire resolution introduced by Bethany Hallam and co-sponsored by Anita Prizio and Dan Gryzbek. (Photo by David Rullo)

Last week, after almost five hours of comments from the public — the majority spewing lies about Israel — the Allegheny County Council decisively rejected a motion calling for a cease-fire in Israel’s war against the terrorist organization Hamas.

The motion, if passed, would have had no impact on politics in the Middle East, but could have contributed to a climate of rising antisemitism here in Allegheny County.

Despite many of the motion’s proponents — and its three councilmember sponsors — claiming that the motion was evenhanded and a call for peace, the actual wording belied that argument. Embedded in the motion was an attack on Israel, false equivalencies and deceptive allegations. For example, the motion began: “Whereas, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law …” — the clear accusation being that Israel intentionally targets civilians and is in
violation of international law.

Or, the demand to “Immediately call for and facilitate a release of all hostages held in Palestine and Israel …” — thereby equating convicted terrorists being held in Israeli jails with innocent civilians, including children, held in captivity in Gazan tunnels.

We are relieved and grateful that the council wasn’t fooled by the anti-Israel activists’ sleight of hand and misinformation, and unequivocally rejected the motion. Nine councilmembers opposed the motion; the three who sponsored it were the only ones who voted in favor; and there were two abstentions. One councilmember was absent.

While those who spoke in favor of the motion outnumbered those opposed by about 2 to 1, our Jewish community members who defended Israel were eloquent and passionate.

We are convinced their presence at the meeting last week made a difference and helped persuade council to do the right thing.

There are a lot of people who are quick to condemn the Jewish state’s very existence, whether out of ignorance or hatred. Either way, they pose a danger to American Jewry, and we must be vigilant in correcting misinformation about Israel, whenever and wherever we hear it.

The three councilmembers who sponsored the cease-fire motion and voted to pass it were: Bethany Hallam, a councilperson at large; Dan Grzybek, who represents District 5, including Bethel Park, Dormont, Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair; and Anita Prizio, who represents District 3, which extends from Reserve Township to West Deer Township.

While some of us may dismiss local council elections as secondary, last week’s spectacle proved that even local political bodies can have a dramatic effect on our safety and well-being. We must educate ourselves before we cast our ballots.

And, of course, we also must scrutinize the candidates for our state and federal offices. We have seen over and over again since Oct. 7 how they can and have made a difference in federal policy and public sentiment when it comes to Israel.

Pennsylvania’s primary election is April 23, the first day of Passover. If you won’t be headed to the polls, please vote by mail. It’s easy to get a mail-in ballot. Just click here.

Last week, some of those urging the council to pass the cease-fire resolution vowed to continue their quest to demonize Israel; they said a motion to boycottand divest from the Jewish state would be next.

They are not going to relent.

Neither can we. PJC

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