To: Minneapolis City Council

From: The Minnesota Rabbinical Association

Date: January 19, 2024

We write to you today in regard to the resolution entitled, “Support of Permanent

Ceasefire and Preventing Loss of Human Life in the Middle East” that is presently being

considered for a vote by the Minneapolis City Council. We are members of the

Minnesota Rabbinical Association, the largest rabbinic organization in Minnesota

representing rabbis across all of the major Jewish denominations. We are asking you to

vote against this resolution.

We are concerned and disappointed that the Minneapolis City Council has

chosen to focus on a conflict occurring on the other side of the world, rather than on the

problems that you uniquely have the power to impact directly. In addition to being

outside the City Council’s mandate, we believe that this resolution is inaccurate and

inflammatory. Demonizing Israel contributes to a frightening atmosphere here in

Minnesota that leads to increased antisemitism and puts your Jewish constituents at

risk. The vitriolic atmosphere of the January 8th meeting attests to the harmful impact of

this resolution.

We are still in shock from the horror of the October 7th attack–the worst atrocity

against Jews since the Holocaust–where 695 civilians of all ages and faiths, 373 Israeli

security forces, and 71 foreign workers were butchered. Many were even raped by

members of Hamas. 240 people were taken hostage, including children and infants.100

days later, over 120 hostages remain in Gaza.

In response to these atrocities, the State of Israel was forced into a war that they

did not choose or want. The State of Israel has an inalienable right to protect its citizens,

doing what it must to prevent anything like October 7th from ever happening again.

We disagree with the language of the resolution that states that the Israeli

Defense Forces are indiscriminately bombing Gaza. Hamas has immorally chosen to

embed their military operations, underground tunnels, and equipment in mosques,

schools, hospitals and UN buildings, using non-combatant Palestinians as

human-shields. Thus attacks on these military targets result in the tragic loss of

Palestinian lives and infrastructure. We hope and pray that the State of Israel continues

to search for ways to mitigate civilian casualties without compromising the goals of their

mission. Hamas could end this war today by returning the hostages and ceasing its

attacks on Israel, but rocket attacks continue to fall on Israeli civilians even now. It is for

these reasons that the war continues, and that our federal government continues to

support the Israeli Defense Forces.

As rabbis, we hope for peace, and work towards peace in our local and global

community. Our hearts are breaking for what this war has wrought. We are horrified by

the deaths of civilians in Gaza and the devastation that is happening there. We pray and

toil for the day when a secure and peaceful state of Israel stands alongside a secure

and peaceful Palestinian state.

We implore you to reconsider the purpose, content, and impact of this deeply

flawed resolution. As always, we stand ready to partner with you in the work of

improving Minneapolis for all its residents.

Signatories:

Rabbi Esther Adler

Rabbi Morris Allen

Rabbi Jill Avrin

Rabbi Barbara L. Block

Rabbi Norman Cohen

Rabbi Barry Cytron

Rabbi Alexander Davis

Rabbi Max Davis

Rabbi Ryan Dulkin

Rabbi Shoshana Dworsky

Rabbi Avram Ettedgui

Rabbi Matt Goldberg

Rabbi Yosi Gordon

Rabbi Jennifer S.G. Hartman

Rabbi Justin Held

Rabbi Rebecca Kamil

Rabbi Harold J. Kravitz

Rabbi Lynn Liberman

Rabbi David Locketz

Rabbi Tamar Magill-Grimm, co-chair

Rabbi Tobias Divack Moss, co-chair

Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff

Rabbi Avi Olitzky

Rabbi Debra Rappaport

Rabbi Jason Rodich

Rabbi Marcus Rubenstein

Rabbi Rachel Rubenstein

Rabbi David Steinberg

Rabbi Sharon Stiefel

Rabbi Adam Stock Spilker

Rabbi David B. Thomas

Rabbi Aaron Weininger

Rabbi Marcia A. Zimmerman