San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and all 10 city councilmembers have signed onto a statement that urges the U.S. government to support a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, coming more than a month after activists pushed them to weigh in on the conflict that has led to contentious debates across the Bay Area.
The 323-word statement, dated Jan. 16, also calls for protecting civilian lives and humanitarian aid to Gazans. It declares support for the release of hostages and prisoners on both sides and condemns Islamophobia and antisemitism that the council says has proliferated at college campuses, K-12 schools and local religious organizations — though it didn’t name any entity specifically.
“We all have an obligation to unequivocally reject this hate,” the letter states. “All of our communities’ safety and futures are inextricably linked – and this moment requires us to stand together and recommit to fighting hate in all of its forms.”
The statement differs from actions taken by elected officials in San Francisco and Oakland, which both passed resolutions after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel through a vote at their city council meetings. San Jose is prohibited from passing resolutions about foreign policy matters, according to a 1970s-era bylaw. The statement was organized by Councilmember David Cohen, the city’s sole Jewish elected member. Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a statement, Mayor Mahan said he was glad the council was committing itself to peace without distracting City Hall with divisive and unproductive foreign policy debates.”
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He wrote, “The best thing we can do locally to stand up for and advance our values is to work together to make San Jose a safe, affordable, opportunity-filled place that respects and supports our diverse community.”
The Middle East conflict has led to numerous protests across the Bay Area and hours-long city council meetings where residents have debated how elected officials should take a stand on the issue. This month, San Francisco supervisors voted 8-3 in support of a ceasefire resolution, although Mayor London Breed has condemned the action. The Oakland City Council unanimously passed a resolution in November supporting a ceasefire.
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