Two resolutions condemning antisemitism met with markedly different outcomes in the Boston City Council Wednesday, with one passing in a 12-0 vote but another being withdrawn over objections from its sponsor, District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn.
The former, titled “A Resolution Recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month,” was offered by District 6 Councilor Ben Weber and at-large Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, who is also the body's president. It begins with references to Jewish values and contributions to social justice, and later decries an increase in antisemitism locally and nationally. In addition, it links antisemitism to islamophobia.
Flynn's “Resolution Denouncing Acts of Antisemitism” also refers to Jewish American Heritage Month and Jewish contributions to society. Unlike the other resolution, though, it includes two mentions of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which it describes as “terrorist” and a catalyst for heightened antisemitism. It also calls antisemitism “the oldest form of hate.”
Last week, Flynn was one of two city councilors to oppose a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
While the first resolution doesn't mention Oct. 7, Weber referred to the attack in a brief speech before the vote.
“I think you can see that Jews have been deeply affected by the attack on Oct. 7 and its terrible aftermath,” Weber said. “In great numbers, Jews have demonstrated for Israel and the return of hostages. Many have also joined encampments and marches in protest calling for an immediate ceasefire, and called for an end to the occupation by the Israeli government.
”What I believe is in the Passover prayer I read here last week: that we must do our best to hold in our hearts the suffering of Jews and Palestinians,“ Weber added.
The second resolution was withdrawn under the council's Rule 15, which allows the city clerk, acting in consultation with the council president, to withdraw legislation that deals with ”the same or similar subjects“ as legislation that was filed earlier.
Before his motion was withdrawn, Flynn, who served as council president in the previous term, argued that the rule was being misapplied.
”A lot of the wording in my document is based on the experience I've had over the last seven years, of documenting and writing and being engaged in the harassment that white supremacists have taken against many people across this city, including in my district,“ Flynn said.
Weber, though, said the removal of Flynn's resolution was the right procedural move.
”I do find the wording of the resolutions very similar,“ he said. ”The resolution I filed also calls for us to call out antisemitism, and included recent events here in Boston ... And I think Councilor Flynn's resolution mentions Jewish American Heritage Month.“
If Flynn had his resolution before Weber had filed his, Weber added, the outcome would have been reversed.
The developments in the Boston City Council highlight the extent to which Israel's war with Gaza has permeated all levels of politics. They also come as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu defends the city's recent clearance of a pro-Palestinian encampment that had been created by Emerson College students in a public alleyway.
