The City Council of Birmingham, Alabama passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on July 17, 2024

WHEREAS, the City of Birmingham is widely known as the birthplace of nonviolent human rights campaigns during the Civil Rights movement and continues to be a beacon for upholding human rights worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the Birmingham City Council recognizes the urgency of the Israeli-Hamas conflict and the need for immediate action, while also noting the principle of international law in self-defense; and

WHEREAS, the Birmingham City Council expresses concern over the ongoing violence and its potential for further escalation in the region; and

WHEREAS, the Birmingham City Council condemns antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiments; as well as the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives and the acute humanitarian crisis; and

WHEREAS, the Birmingham City Council affirms that there is no military solution, no solution via terror or war, and that only diplomacy can lead to a lasting peace, based on common interests and human rights.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, that we stand united with a growing number of U.S. cities in an earnest plea for immediate cessation of hostilities encompassing all parties involved in the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED  that the Birmingham City Council strongly urges the swift and secure exchange of all hostages and urges the Biden Administration to call for a sustained, bilateral cessation of hostilities and the immediate provision of humanitarian assistance in Gaza at the scale required.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that in unflinching alignment with our commitment to the principles of international law and human rights, the Birmingham City Council calls on both sides to conscientiously abide by these norms, to promote a just and lawful resolution to the conflict.

Presented this 17th day of July 2024