BALTIMORE — Four council members abstained from voting in favor of the resolution to condemn Hamas, Monday night.
These members were Ryan Dorsey, Kristerfer Burnett, Phylicia Porter and Odette Ramos.
They have since released a joint statement on their decision to abstain on the resolution.
"First and foremost, we unequivocally condemn the actions of Hamas, a designated terrorist organization by numerous countries and international entities. It is essential to emphasize that our condemnation of Hamas should not be misconstrued as a lack of support for the Palenstinian people," the statement reads.
The statement says these council members took issue with the resolution being last minute.
"The concern lies with whether the Baltimore City Council should have suspended the normal procedural rules to allow a last-minute introduction of a resolution."
It also adds the resolution "failed to mention the discrimination against the Islamic community."
This was nearly an exact copy of a resolution that passed four years ago, condemning a terrorist attack that took place in New Zealand.
To see the full statement, click below:
Greetings,
— Kristerfer B (@CouncilmanKB) December 5, 2023
Please see the attached joint state on why myself and several colleagues chose to abstain on resolution: Condemning the Hamas Terrorist Attack on October 7, 2023 and Antisemitism.
Thank you.
Councilmember Kristerfer Burnett pic.twitter.com/6zY72ywUFR
City Council President Nick Mosby issued the following statement in support of the resolution:
I supported a resolution, presented by Councilman Yitzy Schleifer during yesterday's council hearing, to condemn the heinous October 7th terrorist attack in Israel, and racism and antisemitism around the world.
Terrorism is never justified, and ignorance is our enemy, no matter whether it’s in the Middle East or the middle of East Baltimore. I’m proud of my vote and proud to stand alongside Chairman Schleifer and the other members of the council who supported the resolution.
