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Calling for an immediate and permanent mutual ceasefire in Israel and Gaza.
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WHEREAS, when we speak as the City Council, we must speak to unify our city and not divide it; and
WHEREAS, in this moment we are especially concerned for the health and welfare of our Palestinian, Israeli, Muslim, and Jewish inhabitants, who are deeply hurting; and
WHEREAS, the killing of Palestinian and Israeli civilians, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law and a violation of Geneva Conventions; and
WHEREAS, our community mourned the horrific attacks of October 7th, 2023, perpetuated by Hamas that resulted in the death over 1,100 Israelis, with more than 200 Israeli civilians taken hostage; and
WHEREAS, between October 7th, 2023, and March 5th, 2024, the government of Israel’s response through ongoing bombing and military strikes in Gaza has now killed at least 30,000 Palestinians - who are overwhelmingly civilian men, women and children - and severely wounded countless more; and
WHEREAS, on October 26th, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly, in a near unanimous vote, called for an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire; and
WHEREAS, on December 12, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly passed with 153 countries in favor of a resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and ensuring humanitarian access; and
WHEREAS, on March 4, 2024, the United Nations Office of The Special Representative of the Secretary-General On Sexual Violence in Conflict verified credible claims of sexual violence on October 7, 2023, against Israeli civilians and hostages and is urging a formal investigation; and
WHEREAS, The United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has estimated that 70-percent of civilian infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed or severely damaged, including hospitals, schools, and h...
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