Jewish organization demands Hilliard council president resigns over war resolution

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – A Jewish organization is demanding the president of Hilliard City Council step down after the council passed a resolution calling for a “mutual end to hostilities in Gaza” on the first day of Passover. 

The Jewish Community Relations Council is calling for the resignation of Cynthia Vermillion and an apology from the council after it said the religious observance was disregarded and the city sent the message that Jewish voices are “unwelcome in city government.”

On Monday night, Hilliard City Council passed a resolution 4-2, with one abstention, calling for "an immediate, sustained and mutual end to hostilities in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and the urgent expansion of humanitarian assistance."

During council discussion, Vermillion apologized for the group taking so long to pass a resolution, coming after weeks of community comment.

"I know we're not going to affect Washington, D.C., policy, but at least they can note that many communities throughout the country are calling for an end to these hostilities, these horrific hostilities," she said.

The resolution read that council "reaffirms its commitment to combat anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli bigotry." But before the meeting, the Jewish Community Relations Council said Vermillion was warned by the city attorney and manager to not vote on it that night, which marked the beginning of the Jewish holiday Passover.

“Despite objections from Council Members Peggy Hale and Les Carrier, as well as City Manager Michelle Crandall and her staff, who clearly articulated that such action on the first night of Passover was wholly inappropriate, the decision was championed by City Council President Cynthia Vermillion,” a statement from the Jewish council read. 

The group said Vermillion was told she would be "intentionally excluding" Jewish voices who would be unavailable to speak that night.

“The deliberate timing of this resolution on such a sacred night as the first night of Passover constitutes a blatant act of antisemitism,” the organization said in a statement. 

Vermillion, who initially did not respond to NBC4's request for comment, said late on Friday she met with Jewish Columbus that afternoon and did not want respond before then. NBC4 asked if there was anything else she wanted to shared, and will update this story if and when she replies.