San Francisco First Major U.S. City to Call for Ceasefire in Gaza

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a resolution expressing hope for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War. (Board of Supervisors)

After months of local protest, those in the Bay supporting an end to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza have reason to celebrate. There’s been a boat shutdown and countless demonstrations, but only in early January did the city of San Francisco itself join the cause taken up by the European Union, South Africa, and China. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Board of Supervisors have passed a cease-fire resolution. The legislation passed Tuesday, January 9, with an 8-3 vote “urges the Biden administration and Congress to support a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, along with the delivery of humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages in the region.”

The passing of this bill makes San Francisco the largest major metropolitan city in the country to show such support, according to the Arab Resource and Organizing Center, though follows Richmond and Oakland resolutions locally. Hundreds of activists flooded city hall on January 9 chanting “Free Palestine” as the vote took place. Introduced by polarizing District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston in late 2023, the initiative condemns anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of discrimination in addition to its calls for aid and hostage release. The three critics of the bill, specifically Supervisor Matt Dorsey but also fellow detractors Rafael Mandelman and Catherine Stefani, took issue with Hamas and its “brutality against women.”

Board President Aaron Peskin tinkered with the original language to gain support from more of the board. That did nothing to appease Mayor London Breed who told KTVU the resolution was a mistake, offering a lengthy series of quotes and anecdotes that seemed to cover all bases but showed support for nothing. Though the mayor has veto power over the resolution and could have axed it, instead the Standard reports she returned the bill unsigned, meaning it will go into effect without her support. “Many outside San Francisco do not draw the distinction between eight district supervisors and the official view of San Francisco. So let me be clear: what happened at the Board of Supervisors does not speak for or on behalf of the entire city. I don’t think any statement or resolution can do that. Our people do that. Our values do that,” Breed wrote to the outlet.

Mayor London Breed tells KTVU this resolution was a mistake. (Gage Skidmore)

The resolution, and the mayor’s anger at those hoping for a peaceful solution, comes as the Israel-Hamas War exceeds its 100th day and fighting in the region intensifies. NPR reports Iran, a sponsor of Hamas, and Pakistan have resumed border fighting, a move initiated by Iran that threatens to further destabilize relations with the U.S. The United States began bombing Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, as well, President Joe Biden letting reporters know that it doesn’t matter if the bombing actually solves any issues or not. To that end, the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank told Reuters the group doesn’t think that strategy will work. So, if San Francisco’s mayor tanks this recent progressive political resolution, she’ll only be the latest U.S. politician to ignore better thinking.