Bloomington, Indiana passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on April 3, 2024
RESOLUTION 2024-08
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES AND FOR DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO CIVILIANS IN GAZA
WHEREAS, the Common Council of Bloomington, Indiana condemns all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and bigotry in Bloomington, and we welcome people from all backgrounds and beliefs in our city; and
WHEREAS, we oppose all forms of antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and bigotry in all communities and advocate for the dignity and safety of all people; and
WHEREAS, we condemn the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed about 1,200 people, including about 700 innocent Israeli civilians [1], and the taking of 253 hostages by Hamas during that attack [2]; and
WHEREAS, we condemn the widespread killing of innocent civilians by the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attack and note that, as of March 24, 2024, more than 32,226 Palestinians (civilians and combatants) have been killed [3], with about two-thirds comprising women and children [4]; and
WHEREAS, we oppose all violence that leads to the loss of innocent civilian lives and ongoing human suffering in both Palestine and Israel; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza lack access to food, water, medicine and other basic necessities of life, with the World Health Organization reporting widespread child malnutrition, lack of potable water, and rampant levels of disease5as well as imminent famine [5][6];
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLOOMINGTON, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA, THAT:
SECTION 1. The City of Bloomington Common Council hereby urges our national leaders to work urgently and diligently toward:
A cessation of hostilities directed to innocent civilians, especially children;
A lasting, bilateral ceasefire in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to the civilian population;
Significant financial support for said humanitarian aid;
The immediate release of all hostages; and
A sustainable, peaceful solution to the conflict between Palestinians and the State of Israel.
SECTION 2. The Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution, duly adopted, to the Indiana Congressional delegation and to the President of the United States.
1 “Israel social security data reveals true picture of Oct 7 deaths,” France 24, updated December 15, 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231215-israel-social-security-data-reveals-true-picture-of-oct-7-deaths
2 “Hamas hostages: Stories of the people taken from Israel,” BBC, accessed April 2, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67053011
3 Rebecca Hall, “Middle East Crisis Live: Latest Updates Israel-Gaza War,” The Guardian, March 24, 2024,https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/mar/24/middle-east-crisis-live-latest-updates-israel-gaza. Regarding the death toll figures from the Gaza health ministry, see also Aya Batrawy, “Gaza’s Death Toll Now Exceeds 30,000. Here’s Why It’s an Incomplete Count,” npr.org, February 29, 2024, https://www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1234159514/gaza-death-toll-30000-palestinians-israel-hamas-war.
4 Wafaa Shurafa, Kareem Chehayeb, & Melanie Lidman, “Palestinians Say Israeli Troops Fired at People Seeking Food. Israel Says Scene Was Deadly Stampede,” The Associated Press, updated February 29, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-02-29-2024-f9b5a62a80d8b83eac4946d3c85af58b.
5 Joint News Release, “Children’s Lives Threatened by Rising Malnutrition in the Gaza Strip,” World Health Organization, February 19, 2024, https://www.who.int/news/item/19-02-2024-children-s-lives-threatened-by-rising- malnutrition-in-the-gaza-strip.
6 Statement, “Famine in Gaza is Imminent, with Immediate and Long-Term Health Consequences,” World Health Organization, March 18, 2024, https://www.who.int/news/item/18-03-2024-famine-in-gaza-is-imminent--with- immediate-and-long-term-health-consequences.