St. Petersburg City Council approves resolution in support of all Israel-Hamas war victims

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The St. Petersburg City Council approved an amended resolution supporting victims on both sides of the Israel-Hamas war Thursday, which had originally called for a ceasefire.

The original resolution was sponsored by council member Richie Floyd, however a less controversial version of the document that did not include the word “ceasefire” was introduced by council member Deborah Figgs-Sanders.

Figgs-Sanders’ amended resolution was more broad in its language, highlighting the support of the life, dignity and rights of Palestinians and Israelis. She introduced it because she believed Floyd’s version did not properly address all victims, and instead only highlighted one group.

Floyd’s resolution had initially read that the council must support the “safety, freedom, dignity and equality” of all people on both sides of the conflict.

The document focuses on the “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza, noting the “over 1.9 million Palestinians facing displacement, homelessness, and starvation.”

The amended resolution passed, 5-3, with council member John Muhammad joining council member Ed Montanari and Floyd in voting it down.

It pointed to a 2023 Data For Progress poll reportedly showing 68% of Americans in support of the U.S. calling for a ceasefire following the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Several members of the public spoke for and against Floyd’s resolution. Those who favored it referred to Israel’s actions against Palestine as a “genocide.” Those who opposed it argued that the city didn’t have a reasonability to take a position on the issue.

Floyd spoke in favor of his resolution, making the case that city councils taking a stance on national and international issues is a “common” practice.

“In the last two years, we’ve taken a position on Ukraine and Russia, Iran, a controversial Japanese figure and we even, yes, passed a resolution supporting Israel and condemning Hamas last October,” he said.

“In the past few months we’ve heard from many constituents, hundreds, that feel forgotten and left behind by the fact that we weighed in on the issue, but excluded any mention of the plight of our Palestinian, Arab and Muslim residents,” Floyd added.

Floyd explained that without the inclusion of the word “ceasefire,” he could not support the amended resolution.

Montanari told Florida’s Voice before the meeting that he would be voting against Floyd’s resolution, as it has offended members of the city’s Jewish community. He also explained during the meeting how he would not be in support of the amended version.

“I don’t want to see any daylight between my staunch support of the people of Israel after the October 7th attack,” he said. “And I want to make clear that this city council has taken decisive and clear action in support of the state of Israel after they were attacked by the Hamas terrorist organization.”

“I’m proud of where the city council is and I don’t want to muddy the water with this resolution,” he said. “And I will continue to be a strong supporter for the state of Israel as long as I’m in office.”

Montanari is running for the Florida State House District 60 seat, currently held by Rep. Lindsay Cross, D-St. Petersburg.