Mayor and councilmembers join others in calling for peace

The mayor and city council are calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. File photo

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck’s mayor and city council are demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, and they have a stern warning to President Joe Biden about his re-election chances next year.
At last Tuesday’s city council meeting, the councilmembers and mayor, who are all Muslim, adopted a resolution calling for a cease-fire.
On Oct. 7, Hamas, which this country has labeled a terrorist organization, crossed into Israel and killed about 1,300 people. That attack set off a counter-offensive by the Israeli military, which now includes a ground invasion into Gaza.
It has been reported that over 8,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army, but that number has been disputed by some.
The resolution read, in part:
“… Millions of people are facing dire circumstances, lacking access to essential necessities such as shelter, clean water, food, electricity, and medical supplies; and there exists a substantial risk that this conflict may further destabilize the Middle East and potentially spill over into neighboring regions, posing a threat to global peace and security; and every individual residing in that part of the world deserves the right to live in an environment marked by peace, freedom, dignity, justice, and the same fundamental human rights enjoyed by people worldwide. …”
The resolution also called for “President Biden and all elected officials and policymakers in our government to employ their influence and authority to advocate for an immediate cease-fire. We also implore them to facilitate the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with the dual purpose of preserving innocent lives, reinstating peace and stability, and preventing the further proliferation of violence to neighboring regions. …”
The resolution does not specifically call on Israel or Hamas to cease-fire.
Councilmember Mohammed Hassan was the first to then focus on Biden’s role in supporting Israel.
He warned that Muslim Americans in Michigan have the political power to ruin his re-election chances, saying that Muslims in the Detroit area represent 30,000 votes.
“We can change Michigan,” Hassan said, “including the governor.”
Hassan also falsely claimed that Biden won the 2020 election in Michigan by only 20,000 votes. Biden beat former President Trump by over 154,000 votes in Michigan in the 2020 election.
Biden has been warning Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to not venture into a ground war in Gaza.
Past American administrations, as well as Congress, have been key supporters of Israel, including sending military aid.
Next up in taking a swing at Biden was Councilmember Abu Musa,who echoed a derisive nickname that former President Donald Trump has for him, calling him “Sleepy Joe.”
Councilmember Refai also picked up on the slur on Biden.
“I’m sick of our current administration. … Sleepy Joe, I think he hasn’t woke up from his sleep,” Refai said.
Trump is also a supporter of Israel and has warned that, if elected, he would deport any immigrant who supports Hamas, and also reinstate a ban on allowing Muslims to travel to the U.S.
Mayor Amer Ghalib said that Israel’s claim to the land is based on Jews living there for the past 3,000 years.
Muslims in the metro area have increasingly warned that they will not support Biden in his re-election effort because of his support for Israel. However, it’s unclear who they would throw their support to.
National media outlets have increasingly reported on this backlash here in the Detroit area.
Biden did woo the support of Arab-Americans in 2020, and their support was credited for his victory here.
There have been several protests held in the metro area regarding the war between Israel and Hamas. Today, Friday, Nov. 3, the Hamtramck High School Social Club is sponsoring a rally in support of Palestinians from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the high school.
According to the club, the rally aims to be “a powerful and inspiring event aimed at raising awareness and showing our support for the Palestinian cause.”
The club further added:
“This rally is an opportunity for us to come together as a community and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We believe that by uniting our voices and advocating for justice and peace, we can make a significant impact.”

The high school is on Charest, north of Caniff.
Also, another rally this Saturday, Nov. 4, 2 p.m., at Veterans Park at 2 p.m.
Posted Nov. 3, 2023