Chicago joins other US cities in passing resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza

Chicago has become the largest city in the US to call for a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

Chicago City Council approved a resolution that called for a permanent ceasefire in the enclave.

Mayor Brandon Johnson broke a 23-23 deadlock on Wednesday, voting in favour of the resolution, which demanded greater humanitarian aid for the enclave and the release of the hostages held by Hamas.

The 2020 US Census found that the metropolitan area of the third most populous city in the US is home to one of the largest Palestinian populations in the country.

In October last year, a sixyear-old Palestinian-American boy was stabbed to death in an attack motivated by the Israel-Gaza war.

Chicago is hosting the Democratic National Convention this August, where the political party will officially appoint its nominee for the general presidential election in November.

US President Joe Biden and his administration have been staunch supporters of Israel despite the country’s growing global isolation and domestic criticism as the civilian death toll continues to rise in Gaza.

The current policy of the administration poses a challenge to Mr Biden’s re-election hopes this November, as most US cities are Democrat-led. His campaign speeches this year have been regularly interrupted by pro-ceasefire protesters.

Several other cities across the US have passed similar resolutions calling for a ceasefire since the conflict began.

San Francisco’s legislative body passed a document that called for an extended ceasefire in Gaza and condemned Hamas and the Israeli government. The Minneapolis City

Council in its resolution said that the US should stop funding the Israeli military and called for a cessation of hostilities. Mayor Jacob Frey vetoed the resolution on Wednesday.

Last year, Detroit’s City Council passed a call for a ceasefire, allowing humanitarian aid and the release of hostages; Atlanta leaders approved a resolution that denounced Hamas and supported Israel; and Seattle’s City Council issued a similar resolution insisting on a longterm ceasefire. Michigan’s Dearborn, Rhode Island’s Providence and New York’s Albany have also passed similar resolutions.

Most of the resolutions also condemned anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

The resolutions are largely symbolic as they are non-binding and US cities have no say in foreign policy.

However, the resolutions have been approved by elected officials.