Amid a surge in antisemitic incidents in Chicago, local business leaders have expressed their frustration with Mayor Brandon Johnson for supporting a City Council resolution calling for a “permanent cease-fire” in Gaza without dismantling Hamas. The resolution passed with Johnson’s tie-breaking vote, prompting business leaders to publish a full-page letter in the Chicago Tribune urging the mayor to focus on local issues rather than a conflict thousands of miles away. Neil Book, Chairman and CEO of Jet Support Services, highlighted concerns about violence, homicide rates, and lack of accountability in Chicago impacting the business community.
The resolution has sparked rising antisemitism in Chicago, with Jewish individuals facing harassment, threats, and accusations of genocide on the streets during anti-Israel demonstrations. The business leaders behind the open letter emphasized Hamas’ atrocities, including the use of innocent Palestinians as human shields in Gaza. Neil Book, who witnessed the devastation in southern Israel, detailed the impact of Hamas’ attacks on civilians, including survivors like Margalit Mozes. The leaders warned that a cease-fire without dismantling Hamas would only guarantee the group’s survival and hinder future peace efforts in the Middle East.
Mayor Johnson has faced criticism from Chicago’s Jewish community for failing to address antisemitism and for supporting high school walkouts where Jewish students were harassed. The Jewish United Fund condemned the mayor for further dividing the city, failing to demand Hamas’ disarmament, and fueling antisemitism in Chicago. Efforts to meet with Jewish community leaders to discuss addressing antisemitism have been made, but concerns remain as antisemitic incidents in Chicago have surpassed numbers from previous years.
The city’s lone Jewish Alderman, Debra Silverstein, has encountered hate and abuse since sponsoring a resolution condemning Hamas’ terror attack. During the resolution hearing, protesters directed accusations of genocide at Silverstein and other Jews, leading to chaos and Mayor Johnson having to clear the gallery. Rabbi Moshe Hauer of the Orthodox Union highlighted Israel’s moral obligation to defend against Hamas attacks, emphasizing the terrorist group’s goal of destruction and reckless endangerment of civilians. The flawed cease-fire resolution reflects a growing trend of hostility towards Israel and the Jewish community, creating uncertainty and discomfort.
The misuse of accusations like genocide and calls for the destruction of Israel further perpetuate antisemitism, causing distress and fear among Jewish individuals in Chicago. Rabbi Hauer noted the increase in anti-Israel rhetoric across the country, leading to threats and intimidation towards the Jewish community. The lack of understanding of Israel’s challenges in dealing with Hamas poses a significant concern, with Mayor Johnson and the City Council facing scrutiny for their handling of the resolution and its aftermath.Efforts to address antisemitism and support the Jewish community have been made, but the impact of recent events and hateful rhetoric on Jewish individuals in Chicago is significant and ongoing. As the city grapples with rising levels of hatred and discrimination, leaders and residents must work together to combat antisemitism and ensure the safety and well-being of all community members.
