Lexington mayor with Jewish, Muslim groups urge peace in region as war continues
Mayor Linda Gorton, along with several Jewish and local Muslim leaders, called for peace in Gaza and Lexington in a joint statement released Tuesday.
The statement is an appeal for peace in Gaza and Israel, and a united stance to “keep Lexington peaceful, and all of its residents safe” at a time when there have been extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities around the country.
“Lexington is saying ‘not here,’” Gorton said.
Ten members of the 15-member Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council have also signed the statement. Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, Rabbi Shani Abramowitz, of Ohavay Zion Synagogue; Iman Shaheed Coovadia of Masjid Bilal; Nick Fair, of Temple Adath Israel; Dr. Jamil Farooqui, president of Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah and more than a dozen other business, religious and civic leaders also signed.
The statement begins:
“As the world witnesses fighting in Gaza and Israel, Lexington prays for peace. When the violence spills over into our community, with extremist attacks on Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities, Lexington says not here.”
The statement also underlines how Lexington’s diversity is its strength.
Many pro-Palestine individuals have urged the Lexington council to pass a resolution condemning Israel’s attacks and killing of children and civilians in Gaza. Those groups have attended multiple council meetings asking the council to pass a resolution asking for a cease fire.
In addition there have been several demonstrations and rallies in support of the people in Gaza in Lexington, including one on Monday night.
In other parts of the United States, the conflict in Gaza has spurred violence and attacks on pro-Palestinan and pro-Israeli groups.
Those demonstrations came after the Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israel by Hamas fighters, who killed more than 1,000 people and took hostages. Israel responded with airstrikes deep into Gaza and economic sanctions. The Gaza health ministry has said more than 17,000 people have been killed in Gaza and more than 49,000 people have been injured.
The five council members who did not sign the statement include Vice Mayor Dan Wu, James Brown, Jennifer Reynolds, Shayla Lynch, Denise Gray. Reynolds had previously said in a council meeting earlier this month that she supported peace. Brown and Gray said they appreciated the work Gorton has done but said they wanted to craft their own statements and are still talking to various groups.
“I’d like to personally converse with members of the group before speaking or signing on to any letter. In all things I do as councilwoman, I like to involve those who are personally affected,” Gray said.
