PHILADELPHIA – Today Mayor Jim Kenney issued the following statement in response to the ongoing situation in Israel and Gaza and its local impacts:

“I am horrified by the escalating violence in Israel and Gaza and the mounting loss of civilian lives. My heart is with all our residents with families, friends, and ties to the region. Our priority in the City of Philadelphia is to consider and care for every community in our region that may be experiencing pain and uncertainty due to this conflict. For those who would like to speak to a local, supportive interfaith leader, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Philadelphia WARMline is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Residents can also call 844-PHL-HOPE.

“Additionally, we know from history that events in the Middle East can lead to a rise in antisemitic, Islamophobic, anti-Palestinian or anti-Arab acts. Tolerance and inclusivity are among our core values as a welcoming city and we condemn any such acts. Residents can report non-emergency hate crimes and bias incidents by contacting the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) at 215-686-4670 or pchr@phila.gov.  The PCHR also has an anonymous hotline at 215-686-2856. For emergencies, always call 911.

“The safety of all of our residents is of top priority to our Administration and we are closely monitoring the situation and are working collaboratively with our local, state, and federal partners to stay informed. In the coming days, weeks and months, I pray that our international community can come together to protect civilians, provide humanitarian aid to those in need and end the cycle of death and destruction.”

The City has compiled a website with relevant resources for residents, available in multiple languages.