During a recent council meeting in Carlisle, resident Nadia Ahmed, a professor at Dickinson College, passionately advocated for a ceasefire resolution concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Speaking before the council, Ahmed highlighted the devastating toll of the conflict, citing that over 41,000 Palestinians, including 17,000 children, and more than 1,000 Israelis have lost their lives since October 7th. She emphasized the humanitarian crisis, noting that Gaza has recorded the highest number of child amputees in history.

Ahmed criticized the financial support provided by the United States to Israel, amounting to over $21 billion in just 11 months, arguing that these funds could be better allocated to essential services such as education and healthcare for American citizens. She called for the council to adopt a ceasefire resolution, which she claimed aligns with core American values of justice, freedom, and peace.

The professor pointed out that both Palestinians and Israelis have been advocating for a ceasefire, with significant public demonstrations occurring in Israel, where approximately 750,000 people protested for a ceasefire last week. Ahmed urged the council to join over 100 municipalities across the United States in supporting this resolution, framing it as a necessary step towards peace and security for all involved.