Rene Lichtman is a Jew who survived the Holocaust. Ismael Noor survived the Nakba, Arabic for “catastrophe” — what Palestinians call their violent displacement from their homeland at the hands of Israel.
The two friends held a press conference on Monday evening urging Farmington Hills City Council to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Noor wore a keffiyeh, a traditional scarf that has become a symbol of Palestinian nationalism. Meanwhile, Lichtman held a sign that read, “Jews & Allies Say Never Again For Anyone,” referring to the toll of the Holocaust.
Aided by the United States, Israel’s military has killed more than 34,000 Palestinian people in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas in Gaza that killed 1,139 and took 248 hostages.
In recent weeks, the violence has expanded beyond Gaza; The Intercept reports that at least 16 nations are now involved in the conflict.
Speaking to a crowd of around 30 gathered outside City Hall in the Detroit suburb, Noor recognized the limits of what a ceasefire resolution can accomplish.
“We know and they know that if they adopt the resolution, that will not stop the war,” Noor said. “But it is a symbolic way to reflect on our humanity. … Let’s put the the politics aside and talk about us as human beings ... [Palestinians] are human beings too.”
He added, “If we are talking about politics, a ceasefire is not going to do much for the people of Gaza. I would say that we demand an end to the occupation. And that is the real cause of what is going on.”
Noor said the people of Palestine have been under occupation for more than 150 years, since the days of the British Empire. The U.S., he said, continues to uphold this status quo as Gaza remains under a blockade.
“The United States inherited this from the colonial powers,” he says.
Shaking hands, Noor said he and Lichtman are friends who work together to call for peace.
“It’s my honor, my honor,” Lichtman said, adding, “Thank you all for coming.”
Farmington Hills Mayor Pro Tem Randy Bruce tells Metro Times that City Council is unlikely to adopt a ceasefire resolution.
“While individual council members are very sympathetic to what is happening in Gaza, Council does not feel it is appropriate to involve itself in international politics,” he said. “We were elected to make sure that we have excellent police and fire services, the garbage gets picked up, and we have great services for our residents, within our 33 square mile city.”
In November, Detroit City Council passed a ceasefire resolution 7-2, making Detroit one of the largest U.S. cities to do so.
Other major U.S. cities to call for a ceasefire include Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, St. Louis, and San Francisco.
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