Nelson’s Palestinian community wants council to take a stance in the Israel-Hamas war and demand a ceasefire in Gaza. It’s not the first-time council has been asked to take a stance on the conflict.
During Tuesday’s committee of the whole, three Palestinian women took turns during public time to insist council demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
Of them was Zaynab Mohammed, a Palestinian Canadian and the organizer of two Palestinian rallies in Nelson.
Mohammed’s rallies were criticized at last month’s committee of the whole when three women representing the Israeli and Jewish community expressed their concerns about growing acts of hate against Jews as a result of the conflict in Gaza.
Councillor Jesse Piniero was specifically targeted during their address for attending and speaking at the first rally in October. They asked council adopt a neutral stance on the issue to not contribute to harmful rhetoric against Jews.
During Tuesday’s address, Mohammed responded to their comments saying that justice might provoke anger, but she remains committed to fighting for her people.
“Since I started talking about racism, injustice, and inequality, I have continuously come across people who have denied and ridiculed these claims saying this doesn’t exist here. It is sad to witness our sentiment for standing for human dignity being skewed like this on a global scale and locally.”
Mohammed said city council’s silence on the topic signifies to her that they don’t care about her people.
She reflected on council’s position in the Ukrainian war and during the Black Lives Matter movement, asking why they won’t do the same for Palestine.
“Right now, from what I see our politicians are saying that all life does not matter. It has never been clearer. Black Lives Matter was countered with All Lives Matter. Right now, I see our politicians saying that all life does not matter. It has never been clearer.
“You are politicians. Politicians take stands. Our community needs strong leaders if we want a better world, not just for us, but for the next generation. So, I invite you to call for a ceasefire in Gaza now.”
Council took a moment of silence after her address before moving on with the agenda. So far only councillors Piniero, Rik Logtenberg and Leslie Payne have supported a call for ceasefire through a letter endorsed by multiple other politicians in the region.
Vista reached out to Mayor Janice Morrison and the three councillors who endorsed the letter for comment but have not heard back yet.