San Marcos council rejects ceasefire resolution after hours of public comment and threats from governor

The San Marcos City Council on May 6 rejected a nonbinding resolution calling for an immediate, permanent and sustained ceasefire in occupied Palestine, arms restrictions and recognition of Palestinian sovereignty after more than 150 people testified during a marathon public‑comment session and an intense council debate.

Supporters and opponents filled the council chamber and lined up at the podium for hours, with dozens of speakers urging the council either to press the city’s moral authority and ask that U.S. and state officials stop aiding the violence or to avoid taking an official position on a foreign conflict. The council first voted to accept an amendment to the proposed resolution but voted down the full motion as amended, 5–2.

The vote, which failed after the council adopted amended language earlier in the night, followed repeated warnings from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office that state grants could be withdrawn if the city took steps interpreted as a boycott of Israel. The governor’s letter was referenced repeatedly by speakers on both sides of the issue and by council members considering the potential fiscal impact on the city.

The amendment that councilmembers adopted and sent back for a final vote explicitly said the resolution did not call for the city to violate state law and included language condemning violence against civilians. Still, the council voted the final motion down, with…