During a recent government meeting, speakers passionately addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the severe impact on healthcare workers and the broader Palestinian population. One speaker, a healthcare professional, recounted their experience during a medical emergency, emphasizing the destruction of healthcare infrastructure in Gaza, which they attributed to U.S.-funded actions. They reported that over 500 healthcare workers, including six from Doctors Without Borders, have been killed in the past eight months, a figure that surpasses casualties in all reported global conflicts from 2021 and 2022 combined. The speaker lamented the loss of life, stating that ten children are amputated daily and one child is killed every ten minutes, calling for a moral reckoning regarding U.S. support for Israel.

Another speaker criticized the city’s removal of olive trees, framing it as an act of environmental discrimination that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. They argued that the lack of tree coverage in certain areas contributes to heat-related issues, and drew parallels between local environmental neglect and the plight of Palestinians, who also suffer from displacement and resource scarcity.

A third speaker presented findings from three reports detailing the inhumane treatment of Palestinians. They referenced a conservative death toll estimate from The Lancet, suggesting that up to 186,000 deaths may have occurred due to the ongoing conflict. They also discussed the controversial Hannibal directive, which allegedly permits the Israeli Defense Forces to harm civilians, and shared disturbing accounts from Israeli soldiers regarding the treatment of Palestinian prisoners.

The speakers collectively urged the council to reconsider its stance on the conflict, particularly in light of Mayor Karen Goh's previous expressions of support for Israel. They called for accountability and action, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire and a reevaluation of U.S. involvement in the region. The meeting underscored the deep divisions and urgent calls for change regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians.