Board adopts ceasefire resolution calling for humanitarian aid and release of hostages; 8-3 vote

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 on Jan. 9 to adopt a resolution calling for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, the provision of life‑saving humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages, and to condemn antisemitic, anti‑Palestinian and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks.

The adopted resolution was the product of an amendment offered by President Peskin that pared the document to a single page and focused on ceasefire, humanitarian assistance and calls for accountability. President Peskin introduced the amendment and listed provisions he wanted included: calls for a sustained ceasefire, life‑saving humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages, condemnation of hate and a call for international investigations into alleged war crimes. “How about we have a resolution that just resolves, that resolves that we call for a sustained ceasefire provision of life saving humanitarian aid in Gaza and the release of all hostages,” Peskin said before offering the amendment.

Supervisor Dean Preston, who introduced the original measure in December, thanked the public and staff for extensive engagement and urged colleagues to unite behind the amended language. “I really hope that, with President Peskin's amendments here, that this will earn support,” Preston said, noting the high volume of public testimony and correspondence the board had received.

Speakers across the board framed the vote as both a moral stance and a fraught political decision. Supervisor Ronan praised colleagues for taking action and described the vote as an act of civic bravery. Supervisor Safaie opened the meeting with a moment of silence and urged respectful public discourse. Several speakers described intense personal connections to the conflict and the effect of testimony on supervisors’ deliberations.

Opponents said the amended resolution still did not address important concerns. Supervisor Mandelmann said he would vote no, citing the difficulty of finding consensus on language he could endorse. “I don't think that there is a resolution that can pass today that can get 11 votes,” Mandelmann said. Supervisor Dorsey said he could not in good conscience support the resolution because of what he described as organized denialism about the October 7 attacks; he emphasized reporting that documented extreme gender‑based violence in that attack and said those facts must not be obscured. Supervisor Stephanie also voted no.

After the amendment passed 8‑3 on a roll call, the full resolution as amended was adopted by the same 8‑3 margin. The final roll call recorded the following votes: Melgar (aye); Peskin (aye); Preston (aye); Ronan (aye); Safaie (aye); Stephanie (no); Walton (aye); Chan (aye); Dorsey (no); Engadio (aye); Mandelmann (no). The board recorded the item as adopted as amended.

The debate followed extensive public engagement: supervisors and staff said they had received tens of thousands of emails and heard lengthy public testimony, and the Rules Committee had considered the matter on Jan. 8. Several supervisors said the volume and intensity of testimony made it one of the most engaged issues they had seen.

The adopted resolution urges the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress to call for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid and the release of hostages; condemns antisemitic, anti‑Palestinian and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks; explicitly condemns Hamas’s October 7 attack on civilians; calls for investigation and accountability for alleged war crimes and human rights violations; and urges international efforts toward a just and lasting peace. The resolution does not create city regulatory changes or binding legal measures; it records the board’s policy position and asks federal officials and the international community to act.

The board took the vote after a recess and an extended public comment period that included both in‑chamber testimony and written submissions. No additional implementation steps, timelines or reporting requirements were attached to the resolution in the adopted text.