Councilmember Zoë Welsh withdrew Resolution 15‑47, a proposed Metro Council statement denouncing actions by the United States and Israel that the sponsor characterized as contributing to a “genocide” of Palestinians, after roughly 10 public speakers addressed the council in a public‑comment period focused on the item.

During the public comment period, speakers both urged adoption and urged rejection of the resolution. Advocates said the council should name and condemn what they described as large‑scale civilian harm in Gaza and call for an end to U.S. financial and military support. Opponents described the resolution as inflammatory, said municipal government should not weigh in on international conflicts, and raised concerns about the resolution’s timing and effects on local Jewish residents.

The comments began with Nader Dager, who said he supported the resolution and described “over 67,000 people” killed in recent years and thousands of children among the dead; other supporters — including Hany Nofal, who identified himself as a former U.S. Navy officer and grandchild of a Palestinian family — urged the council to “call things for what they are” and to press for an end to arms transfers they said enable civilian casualties. Speakers from the Jewish community, including Ian Chambers and Ayelet Berger, spoke both for and against the measure; Chambers said he opposed Zionism and supported the resolution, while other Jewish speakers urged caution and said the resolution failed to adequately acknowledge the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.

Several speakers also told the council the debate had created fear among local residents. Sabina Moyadine, executive director of the American Muslim Advisory Council, said many Muslims in Nashville were scared to even speak about Palestinian rights and described social repercussions she said community members faced. Opponents including business leaders and other residents argued the city should focus on local matters and not international policy.

After the public comments, Welsh told the council she was withdrawing the resolution “in hope that the ceasefire reached today will bring an end to the horrors of the war in Gaza,” and said she hoped council members would continue to affirm “the dignity of all people.” Chair Cash and staff observed that the sponsor’s withdrawal requires only a brief explanation under the council’s rules; no vote on the resolution occurred.

The public comment segment and the withdrawal highlighted deep divisions among speakers who framed the measure as a moral imperative, while others described it as a divisive statement that could inflame local tensions. Welsh said she was withdrawing the resolution rather than pursuing it at that time because of the ceasefire announcement; she encouraged continued attention to the humanitarian situation.

Proponents and opponents both made requests of the council: proponents asked the council to use its platform to name and condemn what they called atrocities and to press federal leaders to halt support that enables them; opponents asked the council to refrain from taking an international position and to focus on local public‑safety and community cohesion. The council accepted the withdrawal and moved on to other business.