The Rules, Confirmations & Public Elections Committee voted to indefinitely defer RS2025‑15‑47, a Metro Council resolution that denounces actions by the U.S. government and the State of Israel it says "contribute to a continuation of the genocide of the Palestinian people." The motion to indefinitely defer passed 6–0 with one abstention during the committee meeting on Oct. 9.

Proponents and opponents of the resolution used public comment and council debate to air sharply divergent views about the merits and timing of the measure. Multiple speakers asked the committee to delay or reject the resolution because of its language and because it addresses foreign policy they said is outside the council’s authority; others said the resolution is necessary to acknowledge suffering of Palestinian residents of Nashville.

Why it matters: The resolution prompted strong public turnout and a rare public debate at committee level about international conduct and local representation. Committee members said the item divided the council and raised questions about whether a municipal legislative body should adopt language that characterizes ongoing hostilities abroad.

The discussion opened with public commenters criticizing the resolution’s timing and framing. Sha'ul Kellner, a professor of Jewish studies at Vanderbilt, said, "The introduction of resolution 15 47 on Yom Kippur continues a dark pattern," and urged an indefinite deferral. Other commenters who urged deferral included Steve Hirsch, who said the resolution "accomplishes nothing and has no impact on Gaza," and David Silverman, who called the measure "deeply misguided" and said only the International Court of Justice can determine genocide.

Speakers supporting the resolution included India Pong Archer, who read a first‑person account she said was written in Gaza describing displacement, hunger and loss, and a reader identified as Rymsdal Cannon who recited text from the resolution, including references to Article 2 of the Genocide Convention. Craig Barto, who identified affiliations with the Black Alliance for Peace, Veterans for Peace and the Party for Socialism and Liberation, framed the resolution as part of broader criticisms of U.S. foreign policy and domestic inequalities.

During committee discussion, sponsor Councilmember Welsh said the timing was not intentional: the resolution had been introduced for a prior council meeting but missed a filing deadline and was moved to the Oct. 9 agenda. Welsh said the measure is intended to call out "the government of the United States and what they are doing in our name with our money in The Middle East" and to acknowledge the experiences of Palestinians living in Nashville.

Several council members urged deferral. One member who moved the indefinite deferral said the resolution "only serves to divide this council and further divide our community." Another member said they sympathized with victims on all sides but preferred to focus on municipal priorities and to avoid council action on foreign policy. At least one councillor who spoke at length said they would abstain, describing the issue as "nuanced" and noting strong feelings from both Jewish and Palestinian constituents in Nashville.

The final recorded tally on the motion to indefinitely defer was six in favor, zero opposed, and one abstention. The committee chair announced the result and moved on to other agenda items.

The transcript and public record show the resolution and the associated public comments remain in committee, effectively halting further local legislative action on RS2025‑15‑47 unless a member later moves to revive or refile the measure.

Looking ahead: Committee members said they would continue to hear from constituents and may refer constituent concerns to federal or state representatives as appropriate. No further committee action on RS2025‑15‑47 was taken at the Oct. 9 meeting.