There was widespread outrage on social media following a controversial Oakland city council meeting that voted for an “immediate ceasefire” between Israel and Hamas. Many speakers defended the Palestinian group and falsely suggested that the Israeli military was heavily involved in the mass killing of Jews during an October 7 massacre.
The council’s 8-0 vote in favor of “an immediate ceasefire” also demanded the release of hostages, unrestricted humanitarian assistance, the respect of international law, and a resolution to protect innocent civilians. However, an amendment condemning the killings and hostage-taking by Hamas was rejected by a vote of six to two.
Following the October 7 surprise assault on southern Israel, which left 1,200 dead and 240 hostages taken back to Gaza, Israel launched a campaign that reportedly resulted in over 12,700 Palestinian deaths, according to The Associated Press.
At the council meeting, hundreds of people expressed support for Hamas, with some disputing the allegations against the group and voicing backing for Palestinian resistance efforts. Discredited conspiracy theories about the October 7 massacre were also spread during the meeting.
In addition, a report from the Physicians for Human Rights Israel claimed that there were widespread sexual and gender-based crimes committed by Hamas during the October 7 assault.
Outrage over the defense of Hamas at an Oakland council meeting. A speaker at the meeting described Hamas as a “resistance movement.”
While a small number of Israelis may have died due to crossfire between Hamas and the Israeli military, the circumstances of the October 7 events remain heavily contested.