I unconditionally condemn the ongoing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and violence that Israel's government and military are conducting against the Palestinian people in Gaza.  I also unconditionally condemn the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas.  These are violations of human rights, international law, and every standard of ethics and human decency.  Genocide and ethnic cleansing are never acceptable, and one atrocity can never justify another.

Unfortunately, there is little that I can do as a Somerville City Councilor that will directly atone for the harm that has been done or realistically prevent it from continuing in the future. I did vote in favor of the Council's resolution in January of 2024, in which we acknowledged the right of both Palestinian and Israeli people to live in peace, and urged a lasting cease fire.  A year and a half has passed since then. While I would vote the same way today, I would be fooling myself to think that that resolution saved any lives.

The council's powers are tightly constrained, and actions that seem simple and obvious at first can have subtle, long-lasting consequences. I have an obligation as a councilor to speak and act carefully and to try to be as effective as I can within those limitations.

As you may know, I grew up in Cameroon, where we also have a history of colonial conquest, ethnic partitions, parallel legal systems, and sectarian violence. I abhor violence and I applaud the efforts of all the activists who are working so tirelessly to keep this terrible situation front and center in our minds, and I pray for peace.