Indio City Council rescinds resolution addressing Israel-Hamas War
The issue of the Hamas-Israel conflict returned to the Indio city council's agenda on Wednesday, nearly two months after a heated discussion.
Back on December 20th, council members unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks and Anti-Semitism.
The meeting drew a mix of emotions among those in attendance, as some called for the city to amend the current resolution to include a condemnation of Islamophobia and condemn what some residents who spoke called Israel’s war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.
After a heated public comment section, Mayor Lupe Amith Ramos loudly shushed the crowd as emotions ran high before asking public safety to clear the room.
The issue was back on the council's agenda Wednesday, with an amended resolution calling for the end of the conflict and condemning Anti-semitism along with Islamophobia.
After hearing from public comment, Councilmember Waymond Fermon said the resolution did not meet the goal of what they were trying to achieve.
"I've been hearing, you have to take a side. I also heard it today," Fermon said. "I've also talked to a lot of residents, and they asked me, 'Why did you guys get into this? You should be focusing on the homeless community in our streets, public safety, infrastructure, and support your community while they're going through tough times."
Fermon continued, "Earlier on, we became really emotional, and we made decisions of our emotions to move forward with a resolution. So, I don't think that's our place."
The council voted to rescind the amendment Indio the City's Manger, Bryan H. Montgomery offering the motion.
"I'm not sure what we're going to please either side with continued dialogue. Certainly there could be forums held for that, but I'm not sure the Council Dyess is the right place for that. I would propose another alternative, that this resolution, that tried to move things in the middle, an other option is just to merely rescind the previous resolution as if it never happened," said Montgomery.
