LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Editor’s Note: This letter was submitted prior to the San Marcos City Council’s five to two vote against the proposed ceasefire resolution at the May 6 meeting but after the decision to move forward with placing the item on the next meeting for a vote at the April 15 meeting.
To my Texas neighbors, This spring in San Marcos, bluebonnets are blooming, the river is running clear, and apparently, city councilmembers are deciding it’s time to weigh in on Middle Eastern geopolitics. Recently, the group Palestine Solidarity SMTX rolled up to a City Council meeting, not to discuss zoning or water rates but to demand that the city pass a ceasefire resolution on the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The group stated that over 4 million in San Marcos taxpayer dollars was spent on Israeli weapons. A wild claim, there are no receipts, evidence, or financial documentation to back this up. The Texas Constitution does not allow for city governments to fund foreign governments.
In an impressive display of performative outrage, Councilmember Alyssa Garza introduced the resolution with lofty language about dignity and justice “under U.S. and international law.” Her co-sponsor Amanda Rodriguez chimed in that this was not a political issue, but a “moral litmus test.”
Who do these city council members think they are? Do they believe Benjamin Netanyahu is sitting in Jerusalem refreshing the San Marcos city agenda, waiting to see what Councilmember Garza has to say before deciding Israel’s next military move?
Interestingly, Councilmember Garza also lamented sympathetic musings on her social media—for deported illegals in El Salvadoran prisons, while Rodriguez’ posted about Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia grad student detained by ICE for alleged ties to terror- linked groups. Using their elected seats—meant to deal with traffic lights, drainage, and budget allocations— to posture on global conflicts is an egregious overstep. It displays hubris and a disregard for voters and the job they were elected to do.
They’re virtue signaling using taxpayer resources. They are welcome to their opinions. They are free to buy a plane ticket, fly to the Middle East, and get as close to the conflict as their Airbnb will allow. I’m willing to bet that neither they nor any of their buddies in the Palestine Solidarity group would trek through the deserts of Gaza. It’s safe to say none of the dust on their shoes is the kind kicked up by rockets and rubble. They’ve clearly got causes— but not for San Marcos.
San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson and councilmember Matthew Mendoza voted against forwarding the resolution, weighing in on the most obvious question. Why is this about Palestine and not all warring nations? Members Lorenzo Gonzalez and Saul Gonzales also voted to allow the measure to move forward at the May 6 San Marcos city council meeting. Shane Scott abstained. Is this kind of fence-sitting what San Marcos voters want?
Governor Abbott sent a letter to the city, stating that if the resolution passes, the state will cut funding to San Marcos. “Anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies,” he said. The city risks losing millions in public safety and infrastructure funds because a few ideologues can’t resist playing international activist. Senator Donna Campbell also wrote in, warning the city against overstepping its authority.
Every minute spent on this resolution is time that could be spent on city issues. City councils exist to serve local constituents, not to pass resolutions that have zero legal impact beyond stirring up social media likes and newspaper headlines.
Julie Simmons Seguin
