How the Israel-Hamas war reverberates in San Antonio
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The complexity of Americans' views about the Israel-Hamas war has been playing out at city halls across the country, and San Antonio's is no exception.
Driving the news: Many officials taking stands in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack have been met with protests, hours of public comment and personal attacks — mostly from those demanding acknowledgment of the Palestinian perspective and, increasingly, a ceasefire.
The latest: A temporary ceasefire that began Friday could end Wednesday after it was extended, although officials have discussed a possible second extension.
Why it matters: It's rare to see geopolitical conflicts galvanize and divide Americans like this one has.
What they're saying: "Tensions are very high," Zahra Billoo, director of the Bay Area's office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), tells Axios.
- Jeff Wice, director of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, tells Axios he hasn't "seen this much activity in many years."
What's happening: As most state legislatures are not in session, much of that activity has played out at the city level across the country.
Zoom in: Residents filled San Antonio City Council Chambers in October and this month to speak on the war.
- Mayor Ron Nirenberg opened an Oct. 12 City Council meeting with a proclamation in support of the Jewish state and condemning Hamas. Most council members supported the sentiment.
- More recently, speakers upset about Israel's attacks in Gaza have asked Nirenberg to end San Antonio's friendship city pact with Tel Aviv. Nirenberg declined to end those ties or call a city proclamation in support of a ceasefire, per the Express-News.
Plus, hundreds have walked in downtown San Antonio in at least two marches to support Palestinian civilians and call for a ceasefire.
Zoom out: At a Chicago City Council meeting, a debate over a resolution "in support of Israel" became so heated that the mayor cleared the chamber of spectators.
- A resolution by Richmond City Council in California was reportedly the country's first in solidarity with Palestinians.
Between the lines: Local government resolutions are "a tool of activism to shape the public debate," Michael Sances, a political scientist studying state and local government at Temple University, tells Axios.
- The point of pushing for resolutions like Richmond's, Billoo of CAIR said, is to offer "significant moral support" to Palestinians and send a message about "civic sentiment to those who do have decision-making power," referring to members of Congress.
Threat level: The clashes come amid rising discrimination against both Jews and Muslims.