As many of you know, a petition seeking to establish anti-Israel provisions into the City of Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter was recently submitted to the Allegheny County Elections Division on August 6th. The petition sought to change Pittsburgh’s Home Rule Charter by banning the city from investing or buying services from entities who conduct business with or in Israel. The petition was ultimately withdrawn on Sunday, August 18th, a day before several legal challenges to it were scheduled to be heard in Court.

While it is a relief that this harmful policy push has been abandoned, the division caused by the proposal and legal questions which arose will not soon be forgotten by the community including many Jewish Pennsylvanians in our region. As such, I will be introducing a resolution that not only condemns the anti-Israel proposal introduced in Pittsburgh, but also encourages all municipalities in the Commonwealth to prohibit the adoption of prejudicial local ordinances. 

I believe local decision-making powers are a hallmark of our Commonwealth’s governmental structure and embody the spirit of America. However, local decisions should be made to benefit the community and in accordance with our alliances with friendly nations - not sow division and inflict damage on our allies.

I hope you will join me in defense of this non partisan American ideal by cosponsoring this important resolution.