After months of boisterous protests at Cleveland City Council meetings, Council President Blaine Griffin on Monday night appeared to close the door on the possibility of a resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war Gaza.
Even as he did so, Ward 12 Council Member Rebecca Maurer opened a window. Although council likely wouldn’t be passing a resolution, Maurer said in a floor speech that she personally supported a ceasefire.
The episode showed how a resolution that council hasn’t even introduced – let alone passed – has become a defining part of its Monday night meetings. For another week in a row, dozens of people filled the chamber to press council on a resolution, occasionally shouting “Free Palestine” and calling out about children killed in Israel’s strikes in Gaza.
Maurer, who is Jewish, acknowledged the Palestinian community in attendance in a speech at the end of the meeting. Although she has already endorsed a ceasefire in writing, she said there was value in saying it out loud.
“I’m sorry I have let so many meetings pass without using my voice to personally condemn the horrors of civilian killings in Israel and Gaza, and to add my voice to those around the world calling for a ceasefire,” she said, to applause from the audience. She added: “Nothing is a substitute for saying the words in this council chambers.”
Before the meeting, Griffin released a statement saying he would not “alienate” Greater Cleveland’s Palestinian and Jewish communities “with a one-sided, quickly-worded resolution.” He asked people in both communities to talk with one another about a way forward.
“After talking with many of my colleagues, Cleveland City Council does not feel we are in a position to issue a fair and unbiased ceasefire resolution,” Griffin’s statement read. “I, as Council President, am asking representatives from the communities closest to the conflict to convene and discuss how their communities can be acknowledged and seen.”
Gaza war protests becoming a regular part of Cleveland City Council meetings
Last week, Griffin ended the meeting early as chanting protesters drowned out the assembly. On Monday night – and equipped with a new set of public comment rules – council was prepared to call a recess and clear the public from the chambers if the meeting spiraled out of control. At least two dozen police officers patrolled City Hall.
But the legislative body was able to finish its business despite several interruptions.
Shereen Naser, a Ward 15 resident who said her father lives in the West Bank, was one of two public commenters who pressed council for a ceasefire resolution.
“I come here because I cannot live with myself if I leave my kids this broken world where their voices are seen as less important and their lives as dispensable,” she said.
Over the last few months, supporters of Israel – which launched this latest campaign in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks – have only intermittently taken the public comment microphone the last few months.
Last week, someone signed up to speak under the name of Ariel Bibas, a 4-year-old abducted by Hamas from an Israeli kibbutz. The Jewish Federation of Cleveland, which opposes a ceasefire resolution, highlighted the moment in a social media post.
“Ariel could not come to the podium,” the post reads. “He has been held hostage for 100+ days by the terrorist group Hamas. It is time we bring all the hostages home.”
After the meeting, Naser told Signal Cleveland that she was “proud to see Rebecca Maurer’s bravery” but disappointed by what she called “cowardice” from the rest of council. Asked whether she would keep showing up to council meetings, Naser replied, “We’re not done yet. What that looks like, I’m not sure.”
Eric Resnick, a Canton resident who is active with Jewish Voice for Peace, which backs a ceasefire, said he was pleased that Maurer spoke up.
“I’m thrilled,” he said. “We’ve seen the first crack in the dam.”
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Cleveland City Council receives letters for and against Gaza ceasefire resolution
Council hasn’t yet taken up any measure calling for a ceasefire, but the public comments on the conflict have charged Monday night meetings.