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\u201cWe consider this resolution to be anti-Israel at best and encouraging an unfolding of antisemitism at its worst,\u201d Pinski said. \u201cHow can you attempt to make one group happy in the name of diversification, while at the same time encouraging haters of another group?<\/p>\n
Pinski, along with many others at the event, regardless of which side they were on, said Hamas has a \u201clong history\u201d of breaking ceasefire agreements, including Oct. 7, 2023, when 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 240 people taken hostage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe city council never called for the ceasefire in the two years of Ukraine battling Russian invasion, when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941 or even after 9\/11,\u201d Pinski said. \u201cSuch empty resolutions would have been absurd and meaningless in a municipal body such as city council.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2024-02-21-at-7.54.25-PM-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tErie, Pa., City Council hears from speakers about a cease-fire resolution.
(Screenshot)
\n\tA few people said while they believe a ceasefire resolution in Erie wouldn\u2019t have any \u201cmaterial impact,\u201d it would be a symbolic measure that has meaning and purpose. A number of residents also said when they mention Israel in their sentiments, they\u2019re not referring to the people of Israel, but the Israeli government.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoth sides are suffering,\u201d Erie holistic therapist Reem Al-Misky said. \u201cThe only way to establish peace is through diplomacy, understanding and love in our hearts. As a Muslim woman, you need to understand, we\u2019ve lived in peace with Jewish (and) Christian citizens. I am saddened by what\u2019s going on with my friends (in the Middle East).\u201d<\/p>\n
Melissa Romero, a Fairview resident and corporate compliance and privacy officer at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said she opposes the resolution. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt fails to address the complex realities of the situation and risks undermining the security of the people of Israel and the Jewish community,\u201d Romero said. \u201cI understand there is pressure demanding a ceasefire, but I urge you to take caution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Romero also said \u2014 as well as many others \u2014 Hamas has no plans of stopping until \u201cthe destruction of Israel and the annihilation of the Jewish people,\u201d ceasefire in place or not.<\/p>\n
Rabbi Rob Morais, senior rabbi for Temple Anshe Hesed in Erie, said the war has been a \u201cnightmare\u201d and any singular loss \u2014 on either side \u2014 of life is \u201ctragic and can\u2019t be condoned.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are 120 different conflicts around the world,\u201d Morais said. \u201c120 places around the world that people are dying, people are suffering and yet we are here talking about this single one and only this one. That engenders an antisemitic response by many people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Erie Jewish artist Brad Ford said one of the \u201cworst parts of humanity\u201d is the propensity for violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo resolution will stop the war, nor the killings,\u201d Ford said. \u201cBut locally, it can put my daughters and my fellow Erie Jews in danger, and give others more justification for antisemitism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ford said he\u2019s thankful for the amendments because the original version was \u201ca vote for the oven and gas chamber jokes\u201d his daughters regularly hear at school. He said he understands not everyone will agree with him, and it is their right to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cI also urge you to find a concrete, non-performative way that will actually benefit the Palestinian people,\u201d Ford said. \u201cDonate your time, your money, start a protest (or) make art. But to write and support words in a resolution that could be used against the Jewish minority in the city is irresponsible and dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
After listening to sentiments from all sides for over two hours, council members were divided in their discussion before voting.<\/p>\n
Councilman Chuck Nelson said he\u2019s pretty sure he \u201cwill actually disappoint everyone\u201d based on the comments from the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast meeting, I made it clear that I did not intend to sponsor such a resolution,\u201d Nelson said. \u201cBy bringing this here today, as we read a resolution asking to bring peace into the world, we gave a platform for the expression of anger tonight. We did not bring peace into our community with this.\u201d<\/p>\n
While Nelson offered amendments to the original resolution, he said the public comments at the meeting was \u201cnot healthy\u201d for the city of Erie.<\/p>\n
About 100 miles from Cleveland and about 128 miles from Pittsburgh, Erie is a city of about 94,000 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. The city has two synagogues and a Chabad, which opened in 2020. <\/p>\n
Erie was once home to 3,000 Jews and three synagogues, but by 2007, the Jewish population had decreased to 700, and by 2013, it was 480, according to the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. <\/p>\n
Councilman Ed Brzezinski said the resolution is \u201cemotionally-packed\u201d and not something a city council should deal with. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf I thought (the resolution) belonged here, I\u2019d be all for it,\u201d Brzezinski said. \u201cI love the outpouring of love that so many folks gave today. I wish everybody understood that it\u2019s not that simple. If the guys around the world can\u2019t get together and solve this thing, all we\u2019re going to do is drive a wedge into that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councilman Mel Witherspoon said he is also against the resolution because he doesn\u2019t see \u201cwhere (the war) is going to stop.\u201d <\/p>\n
On the other hand, councilman Tyler Titus originally brought forward the resolution, and is still in support after being called antisemitic and accused of \u201ctrying to put on a show.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can stay silent and we could not pass (the resolution), but that makes us complicit,\u201d Titus said. \u201cIt makes us part of the problem because problems don\u2019t just go away when we don\u2019t name them.\u201d
Councilwoman Kathy Schaaf said her \u201cheart is breaking\u201d and wants peace. <\/p>\n
Councilman Mo Troop had no comment and Flores, who sponsored Titus\u2019 resolution, said she hopes people have \u201cenough compassion and understanding\u201d to realize the city can\u2019t sit back just because it\u2019s not directly involved.<\/p>\n
Flores, Nelson and Titus voted in favor of the resolution, while Brzezinski, Troop and Witherspoon voted against. PJC<\/p>\n