NYC Council up in arms as Speaker Adams drafts Gaza cease-fire resolution for a vote: ‘There’s no in-between’
City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is drawing up a cease-fire resolution on the Gaza war, but some of her fellow Democratic pols are furious over the notion they will be forced to vote on it, sources told The Post.
“No matter what you say, you are either a pro-genocide person or antisemite, there’s no in-between,” a Council source fumed. “The whole reason you vote on a speaker is to not put us in this position.”
The proclamation — which came up during a Democratic caucus meeting Tuesday afternoon — is being pushed by Adams who is expected to sign on as a sponsor.
Sources say the speaker’s move is an attempt to appease far left lawmakers, who have recently pushed for a cease-fire resolution.
About 20 Council members are “really unhappy” about being forced to publicly vote on whether they support an Israeli cease-fire on the war-torn Gaza Strip, the Council source said.
“Why is the speaker putting this up for the vote when it’s really hard for the community? It was high tension,” they said.
At least two other Council sources expressed similar frustration.
“Will a resolution help bring peace, or will it only give progressives a fake victory?” one questioned. “These folks are only interested in making it seem like they’re doing something.”
The other said they don’t see why the City Council should hold a vote on the situation overseas.
“This isn’t the US Congress,” they said.
Another insider at the meeting said some Council members pushed back against the speaker’s cease-fire resolution on principle.
The pro-Israel Council members noted that the Council didn’t pass a resolution to condemn Hamas after the terror group invaded Israel on Oct. 7 and massacred nearly 1,200 people while taking 250 hostages.
“We said nothing on Oct. 8, Oct. 9. The first thing we’re going to say is there should be a cease-fire,” said the source who attended the meeting.
The speaker’s office blocked proposed resolutions last fall to condemn Hamas, the source added.
Council members were not given a copy of the cease-fire resolution and instead had to go to the Council’s chief of staff to review it, per a source at the meeting.
Two Jewish Council members — Lynn Schulman of Queens and Julie Menin of Queens — were not present at the caucus meeting.
The Jewish holiday Shavuot starts sundown Tuesday, adding insult to injury. Many devout Jews are observing the holiday until Friday morning.
“While we will not confirm the private discussions between Council Members or comment on any potential resolution that has yet to be introduced, there are ongoing conversations amongst Council Members who hold a range of opinions, including those voicing their support for a ceasefire,” a spokesperson for the Council said.
“These conversations have been understandably challenging and emotionally difficult, reflective of how many New Yorkers are feeling.”
Tensions in the US are at an all-time high between those who are against Israel’s ongoing and often relentless attacks on Gazans and those who believe Israel should do anything in its power to destroy Hamas.
Israel’s air and ground attacks in Gaza have killed at least 37,084 Palestinians since October, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory. Thousands more are feared to be buried underneath the rubble of bombed-out buildings.
