Several speakers at the Sept. 16 public comment period urged the Raleigh City Council to formally recognize recent United Nations findings about Gaza and adopt a symbolic resolution condemning civilian suffering and calling for federal action.

Speakers told personal stories and relayed international reports. Mesa Sultry and Asma Abu Dhahab both cited a recent UN commission of inquiry and other international organizations that they said have described systematic killing and forced displacement in Gaza. “The UN has declared genocide,” Mesa Sultry said. “This is not an opinion. This is the law.”

Commenters asked councilors to take specific next steps: adopt a city resolution recognizing the genocide, use municipal advocacy to press federal representatives to cut weapons funding, support humanitarian aid partnerships locally, and hold town halls and public education programs about the crisis. Speakers also suggested the city should direct staff to identify partnership channels for refugee assistance and local humanitarian support.

Several speakers tied international events to local consequences, expressing concern about hate incidents and violence locally and asking officials to make a moral statement. “Silence is complicity,” Asma Abu Dhahab said, urging the council to adopt a cease‑fire resolution and to “stand with justice and with life.”

Councilors did not take action or introduce a resolution during the Sept. 16 meeting. The public comment speakers requested that council consider symbolic and advocacy measures and to use the municipal platform to press federal elected officials.

Details: Multiple speakers referenced international bodies (UN Independent Commission of Inquiry, International Court of Justice) and civil‑society organizations. Their requests were for symbolic council action and for outreach to federal representatives rather than an immediate operational change in city policy.