MUNICIPAL MESSAGING — The war in Gaza is raging on, and cities and towns in Massachusetts are battling over whether and how to weigh in. At least a half dozen communities have contemplated or passed resolutions calling for a cease-fire in Gaza as Israel’s offensive — which began following Hamas’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on the country — continues to devastate the region. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died, according to the enclave’s Hamas-controlled health ministry, along with roughly 1,400 Israelis. Somerville, Cambridge and Medford are among the growing number of cities across the nation that have passed resolutions in support of a cease-fire. But efforts to pass similar proposals in Boston have been punted or pulled back amid opposition — despite the city’s liberal reputation and the frequent war-related protests that continue to play out within it. A resolution proposed by Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson in October was sent for a hearing and never reemerged. Last week, Councilor Ben Weber withdrew a new petition calling for a cease-fire in Gaza to avoid inflaming old tensions. “I didn't want to put something forward just so I could say I put it forward, and in the end make things worse,” Weber told Playbook after pulling his resolution. Some wonder why municipalities are weighing in at all. Local officials have no power over international affairs. And Weber acknowledged that taking stances on foreign wars isn't part of a city councilor's job. “We were elected to deal with Boston-specific issues and to make sure the potholes are getting filled and people have access to affordable housing … and this doesn't address that,” Weber said. Still, he added, “the pain and suffering and the tragedy we've seen in Gaza — as well as the pain and suffering of people here in Boston having to watch it — is so great that we can't just ignore it.” Local legislators playing in national politics is a long-standing tradition, Jesse Rhodes, a political science professor at UMass Amherst, told Playbook. Boston city councilors, for instance, passed a measure in 2007 denouncing the Iraq War. And coming from councils, that message may pack more of a punch. “If you’re a member of Congress from a district in which a lot of the municipalities are enacting these resolutions, that is telling you something as an elected official about where your constituents stand in a way that is in some ways more powerful than just receiving letters from individuals,” Rhodes said. Local politicians are in some cases acting under pressure themselves. Protesters pressing for a cease-fire in Gaza repeatedly disrupted council meetings in Cambridge until members passed a resolution calling for one. Activists are now calling on Greenfield’s city council to do the same. Amherst’s town council could vote on a resolution that would call for an end to the fighting and the release of all hostages and detainees as soon as Monday. And in Easthampton, councilors voted to send a version of such a resolution to the body’s rules committee for further study. GOOD WEDNESDAY MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS . Tips? Scoops? Happen to be in South Carolina for the GOP primary? Say hi to Lisa! Otherwise, email us: kgarrity@politico.com and lkashinsky@politico.com . TODAY — Gov. Maura Healey introduces her latest SJC nominee, Appeals Court Judge Gabrielle Wolohojian , at a Governor’s Council confirmation hearing at 10:30 a.m. in the Gardner Auditorium at the State House; Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll presides. Sen. Ed Markey speaks at a Black History Month event at 10 a.m. at Roxbury Community College. Rep. Stephen Lynch holds press conferences after touring Norwood Hospital at 11:30 a.m. and Good Samaritan Medical Center at 1 p.m. Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune attends a Black History Month event at noon at City Hall. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu attends the Children's Winter Festival at 1:30 p.m. THURSDAY — POLITICO’s Governors Summit convenes at Washington’s The Wharf, featuring exclusive live conversations with the leaders of six key states — including New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul . Register to join or watch live here.
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