In a move that has sparked both applause and criticism, the Hamtramck City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt a resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, becoming the first city in Michigan to take such a stance. According to The Detroit News, the resolution passed with a 4-0 vote in the face of growing outcry amongst metro Detroit's Arab American and Muslim communities over Israel's actions in Gaza.
The council aims to "stop the genocide" in Gaza, according to Mayor Pro Tem Abu Musa who proudly claimed, "We are making history with this decision," as reported by The Detroit News. The resolution does not spell out specific targets but advocates for withdrawing investments from Israeli-linked ventures, thus pressuring governments to act against what is described as the "Israeli apartheid."
However, the move may potentially clash with a 2017 Michigan law that opposes the state's divestment from Israel. Hamtramck City Manager Max Garbarino acknowledged the city's limitations in reviewing investments due to staffing constraints, as noted by Detroit Free Press. Notably, Mayor Amer Ghalib emphasized at the council meeting that the city intends to "do its best to refrain from buying, investing or contracting with companies that support the Israeli genocide."
Despite the unanimous vote, some members of the city council, including Khalil Refai and Muhtasin Sadman, were absent during the meeting. A representative from Jewish Voice for Peace expressed support for the resolution, and in a statement obtained by The Detroit News Matthew Clark noted, "Supporting Palestine and Palestinian people right now of course is not antisemitic." Clark, himself Jewish, stands against what he terms as genocide against the Palestinians, invoking the memory of the Holocaust.
Following the passing of the BDS resolution, the Hamtramck council's decision has caught the national spotlight. They have previously taken actions reflecting their solidarities such as renaming a street to Palestine Avenue and removing officials from the Hamtramck Human Relations Commission for flying an LGBTQ+ Pride flag on city property. The latest measure adds to a growing trend of activist-driven policy in the city, as highlighted by Michigan Advance.
