Chicago is latest U.S. city to approve such a non-binding resolution, following Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco in recent months.
Chicago is latest U.S. city to approve such a non-binding resolution, following Atlanta, Detroit and San Francisco in recent months.
Why are city governments doing this?
Cities have very little role in international diplomacy. If a city wants to support something like Black Lives Matter, at least that’s something related to what they do. They employ police who might not treat black people fairly, for example. But, it seems wrong to get involved in international diplomacy.
For a different reason, schools also shouldn’t have a stance. Schools are supposed to be a “marketplace of ideas”. If a student council wants to take a stand, sure. If a Palestinian rights org on campus wants to hold a rally, that’s great. The school itself should stay out of it and simply provide a physically safe place for other people to express their ideas.
Why shouldn’t they? The city government represents the citizens of that city, who are calling for a ceasefire. They’re saying “we hear you and agree there should be a ceasefire”
Why shouldn’t they? They have no power to do anything, and it isn’t their business. Any time they spend on posturing about things they can’t have any impact on is time they can’t spend doing their actual jobs.
These city council meetings keep getting over run with citizens making statements about the situation and that is actually preventing them from doing other things. That’s why they passed this. So that the citizens will feel appeased and let them move on to their real business. It’s the citizens who are wasting the time in this case and if that’s their prerogative then so be it.
What if your city manufactures weapons for Israel?
What if your school invests in Israel?
Cities don’t manufacture weapons.
Schools shouldn’t be investing.
Cities grant building and zoning permits, sign contracts with private companies, and make property sales. They have a lot of influence on what kinds of businesses are allowed in.
Or, again, it can be regulated by the city council.
And schools shouldn’t invest, but they do, so therefore they have to be struggled against
And if the city’s serious about an issue, they should use those tools. Not make a bland statement about calling for a cease-fire. Actually punish companies selling weapons. But, that’s an actual step, calling for a cease-fire is more a “thoughts and prayers” approach that just wastes everyone’s time.
As for universities, same thing. If they’re going to invest in things, then instead of making statements about Gaza or whatever, they should actively sell off investments. But, really, a university should be a stage people use to share their ideas. The stage shouldn’t be only open to the currently fashionable points of view.
Yeah, it’s definitely not enough.
And universities are more likely to forbid Palestinian speakers 🙄