(CALMATTERS) – The loud political debate over the Gaza war didn’t end with what happened at the California Democratic Party convention this month.
It’s now reverberating in more city halls. For instance, the Oakland City Council, in a marathon meeting Tuesday, passed a resolution supporting a proposal in Congress calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the freeing of all hostages and unrestricted humanitarian aid.
But it’s what didn’t make it into the resolution — a condemnation of Hamas, which the U.S. considers a terrorist group — and the public comments defending Hamas that got attention. (The resolution doesn’t criticize Israel, either.)
The clips went viral and even prompted Gov. Newsom’s social media account to respond on Wednesday, though there’s a debate whether they were taken out of context.
“Hamas is a terrorist organization. They must be called out for what they are: evil.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom on X
The state Republican Party has been hitting Newsom and Democratic legislators and candidates for not condemning the pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted the Democratic convention. It appears the GOP wants to make it a 2024 campaign issue.
It’s already an issue in the U.S. Senate race. Of the three leading Democrats, Rep. Barbara Lee of Oakland has been out front on calling for a ceasefire. And now that the fighting has stopped and hostages are being released, she’s basically saying, “I told you so.”
“Weeks ago, I was one of the first elected officials to call for a ceasefire. War hawks said it was impossible…. Peace through diplomacy is not only possible — it’s the pathway forward.”
Rep. Barbara Lee on X
Meanwhile, the state Office of Emergency Services confirmed to CalMatters that promised medical and humanitarian aid for Palestinians is about to make it into Gaza during the pause in hostilities.
In an email, a spokesperson said the supplies were “on the ground” as of Tuesday night and “are being transported via truck as part of a larger international convoy of aid heading into the country.” It’s not certain, however, that the office will get confirmation when the aid gets into Gaza.