Today I had lunch with the Mayor of Galway, Ireland (see photo below). To be honest, I really wasn’t in the mood to put on a happy face and ceremoniously welcome Menlo Park’s Sister City delegation. It has been an awful week. The October 7th brutal massacre of Israelis by Hamas terrorists, and the knowledge that as this conflict unfolds there will be more casualties, including innocent civilians in Gaza and Israel, has been all-consuming. A big part of me just wanted to cancel the lunch, curl up in a ball and cry.
But in the end I went to greet Galway Mayor Eddie Hoare…and I am so glad I did. As stated on the Sister City International website, the mission of Sister Cities is “to promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. One individual, one community at a time.” I feel uplifted after having spent a few hours around a table, sharing how much two communities across the globe can have in common. As terrible news continues to pour in, it’s important to remember that we should always strive to find common ground and honor our collective humanity.
At the October 10th Menlo Park City Council meeting I read a statement in support of Israel (see below). It is very important to clearly name that Israel was savagely attacked by Hamas terrorists, and that Israel has every right to take actions to defend herself. Since my original statement, I have drafted an addendum to include that my thoughts are with all members of our community who have family and friends in the region – and that it is possible to simultaneously support Israel, condemn Hamas, and mourn the loss of civilian life in both Gaza and Israel. As military operations escalate, all efforts must be made to follow international humanitarian law and protect innocent civilian lives.
With love, support and a wish for peace,
Picture from Today - Me and Galway Mayor Eddie Hoare
Statement Regarding Israel made by Mayor Jen Wolosin at the
Menlo Park City Council meeting on Tuesday, October 10th.
On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched a coordinated, unprovoked attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has fired thousands of rockets toward Israel’s major population centers, breached Israel’s borders, infiltrated Israeli communities, kidnapped over 100 civilians from numerous nations, killed more than 900 Israelis, and wounded thousands more.
Fourteen Americans have been declared dead at the hands of Hamas and 20 or more are still unaccounted for.
We have all likely seen videos and heard stories of families stalked by terrorists while hiding with young children and babies, teens dragged away from a music festival into Gaza and Israelis being shot at point blank. What happened on October 7th was a massacre and a slaughter.
I am horrified and disgusted.
I want to thank the many leaders around the world, country and local communities who have condemned the attack and who have expressed their solidarity with Israel, and who have acknowledged Israel's right to defend herself. I encourage those who have yet to speak out to do so.
I also want to ask those who are currently lending their support to continue to do so, even when, and especially when, Israel takes necessary actions to continue to defend herself. We often see a pattern in which support for Israel is shared in early days, but once Israel acts, the support wanes.
We must not forget that Israel was attacked, unprovoked. We must not forget that Hamas terrorists savagely brutalized defenseless civilians. We must not forget that Hamas terrorists have taken hostages as bargaining chips in a complete violation of humanitarian rights. There is no excuse for this.
I also want to speak on behalf of the Jewish community of Menlo Park. Your Jewish neighbors are not ok. We are worried about our cousins and sisters and brothers, both figurative and literal. We are worried about our kids’ camp counselors, our tour guides from family vacations in Israel, our co-workers in tech companies. We all know someone, who has a loved one who has been personally traumatized. We are agitated that once again, Israel is being demonized and blamed for violence. We are disgusted by the cheering in the streets of death to Jews. We are traumatized that Jews are not safe in this world and that antisemitism is on the rise in this country.
We need to not feel alone. We need each of you to join us in solidarity. We need you to join us in our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its deplorable actions.
Thank you.
Addendum
Upon reflection since I made this statement, I would like to add that as this conflict unfolds, we know there will be more casualties, including innocent civilians in Gaza and Israel. My thoughts are with all members of our community who have family and friends in the region. It is possible to simultaneously support Israel, condemn Hamas, and have compassion for the loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel.
