Community leaders and residents are urging the Village of Plainfield to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate cease fire in Gaza.
As of March 5, more than 31,000 people were reported killed in the Israel-Hamas war as reported by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. On Oct. 7, 2023, 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 764 civilians, were killed and 248 people were taken hostage during the initial attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip, prompting the war.
Plainfield ranks 77th out of 100 cities in Illinois in terms of Arab population. Only 1.19 percent of the village’s population as of the last census fits into that category. Romeoville ranked 41st with 2.13 percent. Approximately 19 percent of residents in Orland Hills identify as an Arab heritage, placing them first in the state.
During the public comments portion of the Plainfield Village Board meeting which lasted for nearly 1-1/2 hours, a member of the Universalist Unitarian Church in Joliet asked trustees to adopt a resolution at the Monday, April15, meeting supporting a permanent cease fire. No trustee Monday made a motion to put the request on the next business meeting on April 15.
“What is going on between Israel and Palestine is not about religion,” she said Monday. “We are watching the destruction of the Palestinian people and I wonder what our children and grandchildren are thinking of us.”
Ken Schultz of Plainfield, a missionary, asked for an open dialogue to tackle the humanitarian crisis.
“My Muslim brothers and sisters believe man is God’s best creation,” he said. “I don’t know what we can do with a resolution in this geopolitical world.”
Sue Hardy said it makes her sad to see people suffering.
“So many times, the situation in Gaza is too far away to impact us here in the U.S.,” she said. “As a Christian, I am responsible for what I can do for those in need, but also what I do not do.”
Plainfield mom Anna Torres said she moved to the community so she could expose her children to diverse ideas and perspectives. She said the famine crisis in Gaza has taken a humanitarian toll and often keeps her up at night.
“There is a power in understanding to call for an immediate cease fire and I do not believe violence cures violence,” she said.
Last month, Plainfield Mayor John Argoudelis proclaimed solidarity with the people of Gaza and called for a permanent cease fire in the Palestinian city. He signed a proclamation urging the U.S. government to call for a cease fire, which prompted others in the community to ask the entire board to adopt the resolution and make their opinions heard. Only Argoudelis signed the proclamation.
Some of those who spoke Monday also asked trustees to take a stance following the murder of a Plainfield boy they say was racially motivated. In October, the ongoing war in the Middle East between Hamas and Israel likely prompted the murder of a 6-year-old in unincorporated Plainfield. Joseph Czuba, who is awaiting trial, is accused of allegedly stabbing Wadea Al-Fayoume, 6, and his mother in the 16200 block of south Lincoln Highway (Route 30) because they are Muslims, according to the Will County Sheriff’s Office. The child was allegedly stabbed 26 times and later died at a local hospital. His mother, Hanaan Shahin, 32, recovered from her injuries.
In mid-February, the Village of Bolingbrook became the only town in Illinois besides Chicago to adopt a Gaza cease-fire resolution.