Many pro-Palestinian activists said that condemning the terrorist group is racist, and denied the atrocities it committed on October 7 in Israel.

Pro-Palestinian activists in Northern California defended Hamas at a debate about a city resolution calling for a cease-fire permanent. Some even denied the atrocities perpetrated by the terror group Oct. 7.

In a special meeting, the Oakland City Council unanimously adopted the resolution with a vote of 8-0 after hundreds of residents spoke about the issue for nearly five hours. The resolution was presented by Councilmember Carroll Fife and also calls for the release of hostages and unrestricted humanitarian aid to Gaza. It also demands that critical infrastructure such as water, electricity, and food be restored.

Fife stated, “I want Jewish and Palestinian children to be as happy as I am with my own children.”

Israel has been targeting Hamas ever since its terrorists, which included children, killed more than 1,200 people on October 7. Israeli forces have declared war against Hamas since then and bombarded Gaza, which is under the control of the group.

The council rejected 6-2 the amendments proposed by Dan Kalb, which condemned Hamas’s killings and taking of hostages.

The packed chamber booed and shouted in anger at the motion.

Several public speakers have argued that Hamas is not responsible for a number atrocities, as claimed by Israeli and U.S. officials.

One woman told the council that there had not been any beheadings or rapes. “Israel killed their own people on October 7.”

Another woman, who claimed that the Israel Defense Forces were responsible for the deaths of many of the children killed in the attack, said: “The notion of this being a Jewish massacre is a fabricated story.”

One man said, “To hear (pro-Israel supporters), complain about Hamas’ violence is like hearing a husband-beater complain when his wife stands up and fights against him.”

One speaker called those who condemn Hamas as “old White supremacists”, while another claimed that calling Hamas terrorists was “racist”, and played into “genocidal propagandists.”

Many pro-Palestinian speakers have accused Israel of colonizing Palestinian territories and creating a system of apartheid that oppresses Palestinians.

One speaker, who claimed to be a recent graduate of medical school, said, “We have seen the targeting of civilians and massacring in hospitals, ambulances and health care facilities.” Silence is not an acceptable response to oppression or genocide.

Hamas, according to a pro-Israel speaker, is not interested in peace.

He said that “Hamas is not interested in coexistence”.

Hamas was in the middle of a temporary truce with Israel until Wednesday. It released its latest batch of prisoners in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israel on Tuesday.