When a one-sided resolution threatened to make San Marcos the first Texas city to call for an arms embargo on Israel, two Federations joined forces to ensure the Jewish community’s voice was heard.

 

San Marcos, a vibrant university town between Austin and San Antonio, has no Jewish Federation of its own — but when a City Council resolution emerged calling for an unconditional “ceasefire” in Gaza, recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, and an arms embargo on Israel — without condemning Hamas’s October 7 massacre, calling for the release of hostages, or even acknowledging Israel’s right to exist — it wasn’t left to stand alone.

 

The Jewish Federations of Greater Austin (Shalom Austin) and San Antonio immediately joined forces, working closely with the local Chabad rabbi to mobilize the San Marcos Jewish community and rally support across Central Texas. Together, they organized a clergy sign-on letter backed by 20 faith leaders, engaged local business and interfaith partners, and reached out directly to council members and state legislators who voiced strong objections to the resolution, including Texas State Senator Donna Campbell. Governor Abbott weighed in, reminding the council that adopting the resolution would violate an existing Texas anti-BDS law.

 

Using the Jewish Federations of North America’s advocacy platform, the effort generated more than 5,900 messages to the San Marcos City Council in just a few days, showing the depth and breadth of local opposition. They also coordinated a small but determined group of local speakers to attend the marathon seven-hour council meeting, ensuring the Jewish community’s voice was heard amid heated speeches that often denied Israel’s legitimacy and gave Hamas a free pass. The mood was tense and intimidating, with shouts of "Viva Palestina" and harsh anti-Israel rhetoric punctuating the session.

 

In the end, the Council voted 5–2 to reject the resolution, with Mayor Jane Hughson affirming it was outside the scope of city government. For the Jewish communities of Austin, San Antonio, and San Marcos, the victory was about more than defeating a measure — it was about what’s possible when Jewish communities work together across city lines, empowering local voices, mobilizing national tools, and standing up for what we believe in.