Council Condemns Violence in Israel, Statement from Mayor and Deputy Mayor
October 18, 2023 - At the October 17, 2023 City Council meeting, the Council unanimously adopted the statement to the community issued by Mayor Nice and Deputy Mayor Rosenbaum on October 10, 2023 and approved Proclamation No 320, condemning all acts of violence, terrorism, and any activities that deliberately target innocent civilians, and affirming Council’s commitment to ensuring Mercer Island remains a place of safety, unity, and support.
A Statement from Mayor Salim Nice and Deputy Mayor Dave Rosenbaum:
Mercer Island stands in strong and unequivocal support of the Jewish Community and the State of Israel. We are mortified by the heinous terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas against innocent Israelis and pledge to support our local Jewish community throughout these unprecedented and terrifying times.
We are united, the first Ismaili Mayor in the United States and the son of a Rabbi, to denounce these abhorrent actions and call for our community to support our Jewish neighbors, so that Mercer Island remains a community grounded in unity and safety for all. We encourage all Mercer Island residents to stand against hatred, prejudice, and violence in all its forms and promote understanding, dialogue, and peace among all community members.
Proclamation No. 320:
Mercer Island is a community that believes in the fundamental principles of peace, unity, and the dignity of all its inhabitants. Our strength as a community is drawn from the rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and backgrounds of our residents.
We stand with our Jewish community, who have deep historical and emotional ties to the State of Israel and are greatly affected by the distressing events occurring there. The indiscriminate attacks on civilians by Hamas are a violation of these principles and are a cause of profound concern for our community and the international community at large. We condemn all acts of violence, terrorism, and any activities that deliberately target innocent civilians, as they only perpetuate cycles of hatred and conflict.
