BELLINGHAM, WA. – (KGMI.com) The Bellingham City Council is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East amid violence between Israel and Hamas.

The Council voted unanimously to pass the resolution in front of a full chamber at their meeting Monday night, December 11thy, after several revisions.

Council Chair Michael Lilliquist said they had to choose their words carefully in what has become a sensitive topic around the world.

“The difficulty here is not in understanding what is so wrong about what’s been happening in the Middle East,” said Lilliquist. “The difficulty is figuring out how to speak about it.”

Councilmember Daniel Hammill added that this was a unique circumstance for the Council to speak on.

“It’s pretty rare that Bellingham City Council makes a statement on international affairs,” said Hammill. “However, we do make statements of value and just where we believe the community is coming from.”

The resolution will be sent to state and federal officials, including U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

It was passed during the Council’s final meeting of 2023.