Durham City Council voted 5-2 to pass a ceasefire resolution supporting an end to violence between Israel and Palestine, after four months of community engagement and testimony from over 130 speakers. Council members Chelsea Cook, Nate Baker, Shanetta Burris, Javiera Caballero, and Carl Rist voted yes. Mayor Leonardo Williams and Mayor Pro Tem Middleton voted no. Williams said the split vote better reflects the actual diversity of opinion in Durham rather than a false consensus.
The resolution sparked intense debate over whether to include stronger language on genocide and U.S. military aid to Israel. Shanetta Burris pushed for including the word genocide, arguing it reflects findings by international courts and organizations. Williams declined to pursue amendments after the vote, saying council had four months to negotiate and needed to move forward. The chambers filled with hundreds of passionate speakers from both sides. Jewish Voice for Peace members and faith communities testified about humanitarian concerns and Palestinian deaths exceeding 29,000, while Jewish speakers opposing the resolution cited security concerns and fears of anti-Semitism. Williams established order multiple times as tensions rose and warned against disruptions.
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