The Portland City Council has voted unanimously to divest from companies doing business with the state of Israel. 

Wednesday’s vote came after hours of emotional testimony from the public on both sides of the issue. 

The resolution called for “Divestment of Funds from Entities Complicit in the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.”

Some critics of the proposal said they were concerned it would fuel rising anti-semitism in Maine. 

Ashley Inbar, representing the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, said the city council had “no standing” in matters of international law or foreign policy 

The resolution was one-sided and failed to recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism, Inbar said. She also warned the resolution could pit Portland residents against each other.

Mayor Mark Dion said divestment tells Maine’s Congressional delegation that Israel needs a more measured response to the October 2023 attacks on civilians by Hamas.

“It’s about sending a message to our government that it’s time to stand up,” Dion said.

The Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis and saw 250 people taken hostage. Gaza’s Health Ministry says Israel’s subsequent retaliation has seen more than 40,000 Palestinians killed, although the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, according to the Association Press.

The Maine Coalition for Palestine applauded the Portland council’s decision to divest, noted that it was the first east coast city to do so.

“As Jews in Portland, we have immense gratitude for the Portland City Council’s resolution to divest municipal funds from the Israeli government and corporations complicit in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians,” Sarah Snyder, spokesperson for the Maine chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace, stated in a news release from the Maine Coalition for Palestine.