TODD STANDS WITH ISRAEL

Our schools must be a safe and welcoming place for all. There is no place for hate in our schools, in our community, in our Nation or our world. I condemn the horrific attacks upon Israel and reject these violent acts of terrorism. I stand in unity with and in support of our Jewish community, today and always. It is incumbent upon our school board and our school district leadership to foster a safe and nurturing environment where peace and understanding prevail, leaving zero space for hatred, bigotry or prejudice. Thank you to our City leadership for sharing the unifying statement below. May we all stand together in unwavering support.

Joint Statement from Mercer Island Mayor Salim Nice and Deputy Mayor Dave Rosenbaum:

"Mercer Island stands in strong and unequivocal support of the Jewish Community and the State of Israel. We are mortified by the heinous terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas against innocent Israelis and pledge to support our local Jewish community throughout these unprecedented and terrifying times.

We are united, the first Ismaili Mayor in the United States and the son of a Rabbi, to denounce these abhorrent actions and call for our community to support our Jewish neighbors, so that Mercer Island remains a community grounded in unity and safety for all. We encourage all Mercer Island residents to stand against hatred, prejudice, and violence in all its forms and promote understanding, dialogue, and peace among all community members."

Mayor Salim Nice is the first Ismaili Mayor in the United States, and Deputy Mayor Dave Rosenbaum is an active member of the Jewish community of Mercer Island.