HomeMy WebLinkAbout24-006 Calling for a Ceasefire in GazaResolution 24-006
RESOLUTION NO. 24-006
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend is comprised of "thoughtful and committed"
residents who can, in Margaret Mead's words, "change the world," and we have seen effects
from the violence in the Middle East even in our small city; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges the complex history of the Middle East
conflicts that do not lend themselves to easy solutions, its limited foreign policy expertise, and its
role as a local government is not to dictate foreign policy; and
WHEREAS, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their
faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law; and
WHEREAS, violence begets violence, and without a plan for peace, innocent people in
Gaza, Israel and the West Bank will continue to be injured and killed; and
WHEREAS, between October 7, 2023, and today, armed violence has claimed the lives
of tens of thousands of civilians, including children, and tens of thousands more have been
wounded; and
WHEREAS, without immediate restoration of basic necessities, and delivery of adequate
humanitarian aid without delay, hundreds of thousands of lives, especially of vulnerable children,
are at imminent risk due to multiple public health crises; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend that we condemn violations of international law, including both the October 7, 2023,
Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and the Israeli military's response affecting the 2.3 million
Palestinian civilians (nearly half of whom are children) living in Gaza since then.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Port Townsend City Council affirms its
commitment to combat Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti -Palestinian, anti -Arab, and anti -
Israeli bigotry, its support for the people of both Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security,
and the right of all people to live, learn, work, play, pray, travel, and engage in peaceful protest,
all without threats, intimidation, or death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Port Townsend City Council will remit a copy
of this resolution to the federal government urging Congress and the President to work toward an
immediate ceasefire for all parties, a lasting peace, and an end of violence supported by
American dollars and to urge the U.S. government to immediately stop sending arms to the
warring parties and to instead send vitally necessary supplies to create the basic conditions that
might make a ceasefire sustainable.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a special meeting
thereof, held this 22nd day of January 2024.
Attest:
Alyssa ItOlrigues
City Clerk
Resolution 24-006
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D avJ.
i d r
A156-
Mayor
Approved as to form:
Flei(" Greenw(
City Attorney