Bend councilors hear citizens’ passionate views, OK mayor’s letter calling for urgent efforts to end Mideast violence

(Update: New, supportive statement from Central Oregon for a Free Palestine)

Over 20 people spoke on all sides of complex issue, and whether council should weigh in

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – After hearing from more than 20 people on all sides of an emotional, complex issue, Bend city councilors agreed Wednesday night to send a letter to President Biden and members of Oregon’s congressional delegation, seeking urgent efforts to end the bloodshed in the Middle East.

Several of the speakers over nearly an hour were former residents of Israel or Palestine and shared their personal stories. While some said it was not a city council’s place to weigh in on foreign policy, others expressed disappointment the letter drafted by Mayor Melanie Kebler did not include a specific call for an immediate cease-fire and end to the violence.

Dr. David Coutin said the terrorist organization has broken several cease-fires in the past and said, “Some of us want peace with security, and not peace at all costs.” Others were critical of Israeli army actions involving Palestinians and claimed years of severe oppression well before last fall’s deadly Hamas attack.

“No one wants to end this war more than me,” a woman who has lived in Bend since 2008 and was born in an Israeli kibbutz told councilors. “I feel, however, your call to end the war as stated, while trying to be fair to both sides in this conflict, over-simplifies the situation. I don’t think people and entities that have nothing to do with the conflict should get involved in this way.”

Some others called it an “important first step,” though many said they wished the letter called for an immediate cease-fire. Others said it did not represent all the citizens of Bend and would just fuel more division.

“Calling this a war is an insult to the victims of genocide,” one speaker said.

“Negotiation with terrorists always fails,” said another.

Councilor Megan Perkins said the letter “pulls one lever we have as local officials to advocate” to federal officials. “I do not feel qualified to go any further than that as a Bend city councilor.” She and colleagues called on those who spoke “to help us with issues of hate and belonging in our community.”

Councilor Barb Campbell said she spoke with Kebler two weeks ago about holding a work session on a resolution regarding a call for a cease-fire, saying she was inspired by that “courageous act” taken by the Eugene City Council.

“Having looked at this letter a number of times, I think our mayor was right,” she added.

Councilor Mike Riley supported the letter but suggested a couple wording changes that gained approval, one adding this to the first paragraph: "I also write knowing, based on substantial constituent input, that our community has a wide range of understanding and opinion on the origins of this long-standing conflict and pathways to its resolution."

He also proposed, and colleagues agreed on adding to the last sentence of the draft: "Please act urgently to end the violence" -- so that it ends, "and promote a lasting peace for the Palestinian and Israeli people.”

Councilor Anthony Broadman was the only one who voted against sending the letter, saying, "I don’t think it strikes the right balance.” He made a motion “that we defer the conversation to a future meeting, so we can get it more right.” But his motion died for lack of a second.

Councilor Megan Norris said, "I do struggle with this not being a local issue,” but added, "I feel like this letter is a good balance.”

Kebler voiced a desire heard by so many for Bend to be "a welcoming place,” and who “want all living here to feel safe, Kebler ended the discussion on a disturbing note, saying she had received a “disgusting antisemitic flyer” after similar citizen testimony at their Jan. 17 meeting.

Kebler drafted the carefully worded letter to President Biden and Oregon lawmakers for colleagues to consider Wednesday night, calling for "urgent" efforts to reach a “negotiated settlement to the war.”

A group holding recent protests and planning a candlelight vigil Wednesday evening, Central Oregon Free Palestine, later voiced opposition to the letter because it didn't demand an immediate cease-fire.

After the pleas by over a dozen people of all ages during the visitors section of their Jan. 17 meeting, urging drafting and passage of a resolution calling for a cease-fire, the mayor thanked those in the crowd for their impassioned, heartfelt, even tearful comments, but the council took no immediate action.

Kebler proposed sending the letter, be signed by the mayor and on city letterhead, to Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and President Biden.

The letter urges the federal officials to take “continued action on an international matter that is of significant importance to us and many of our constituents.”

“The human cost of this war has been staggering, as thousands of innocent civilians have been killed or wounded, including thousands of children,” the letter states.

“All people – Israeli, Palestinian and others – are entitled to live in safety, free from violence,” it continues.

“The Bend City Council urges you to use all avenues within your power to help negotiate an end to the war and a stop to the violence, provide for the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, provide for the safe return of all hostages taken in the October 7 attacks, and protect the lives and security of all civilians in Gaza and Israel,” the letter says, adding: “Please act urgently to end the violence.”

You can read the full draft letter below.

A day before the letter was added to the agenda, the group Central Oregon for a Free Palestine announced it would be holding a peaceful candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday in front of City Hall, in support of a cease-fire in Gaza and urging that they adopt a resolution “addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.”

The group's leaders discussed Kebler's proposed letter at a gathering Tuesday night, and took a stand against the wording.

They issued this statement: "We strongly oppose this letter because it does not demand an immediate, permanent cease-fire to end the brutal slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians, the overwhelming majority of whom are women and children."

But on Thursday, they provided a new statement and shifted their stand on the now-approved letter:

"Although we were hoping the council would adopt a more formal ceasefire resolution, we were happy with its decision to move forward with a letter to be sent to Oregon's federal representatives calling for an end to the violence in Gaza.

"It is an expression of recognition by the Council of the urgency, the gravity, the catastrophic human situation in Gaza. We appreciate the Mayor's courageous and timely work to contribute to the historic efforts by many of our American cities to try to stop the slaughter of innocent civilians; the overwhelming majority being women and children. We congratulate the Mayor and the Council for a good, humanitarian, and appreciated well done job."

Michel Shehadeh, Palestinian American from Bend, who spoke at the mayor's letter deliberation council meeting and a member of the Central Oregon for a Free Palestine, said, "I am gratified and proud of our City Council, and I am expressing the sentiment of all our members and supporters.  The Bend City Council should be commended by the residents of Bend because they found the time and courage, despite their busy local agenda, to bear in a good way about an important foreign policy matter. Our foreign policy affects us locally, and the Council recognized that and acted honorably."