Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell released a statement on Friday offering prayers for “anyone with loved ones endangered by the ongoing conflict” in the Middle East, failing to mention and condemn the atrocities committed by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Israel.
Nashville, like so many communities, is experiencing the local impact of global conflict. Our administration is working to keep people safe and connected to every possible resource to ease their suffering. pic.twitter.com/hPjZ7gtdCY
— Freddie O’Connell (@freddieoconnell) October 13, 2023
“With Shabbat approaching, my heart remains heavy as the pain, loss and horror endured by the Jewish people is hard to grasp. My prayer continues to be for a lasting peace and an enduring comfort for anyone with loved ones endangered by the ongoing conflict,” O’Connell said.
“We’ve seen disgusting antisemitism in the past few weeks, and I will stand against hateful speech and actions wherever they exist,” the mayor continued, adding, “It is critical that we keep all our citizens safe.”
“To that end, my office has been in constant contact with the Metro Nashville Police Department since this weekend. At this time, we know of no prevailing threat here in Nashville. Our police department is working with leaders in the Jewish community to offer support, guidance, and an extra patrol around houses of worship and community,” O’Connell added.
“As a local leader, I worry that the weeks ahead will grow harder rather than easier, and our administration will be working to ease the impact of global conflict for all affected Nashvillians here at home,” O’Connell concluded.
O’Connell’s statement comes after The Tennessee Star reported that the mayor did not attend a Monday evening solidarity event held by the Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville at the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Music City. Instead, the mayor distributed a similar statement to the one he issued on Friday, which also did not condemn the Hamas terrorists.
The mayor’s Friday statement also came on the day before the Middle Tennessee Democratic Socialist of America – followed by O’Connell on X / Twitter – plans to hold a rally in “support for Palestine” on Saturday in Nashville.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Freddie O’Connell” by Freddie O’Connell.
nashville shot itself in the foot when it elected lefty freddie
RIP a once good city
Nashville is such a crap hole!
“ We’ve seen disgusting antisemitism in the past few weeks”
Palestinians are semitic.