Daly City, California passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on June 3, 2024

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PEACE AND AN END TO THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA

WHEREAS, the City of Daly City acknowledges the suffering of the peoples of the Middle East and affirms our shared humanity; and

WHEREAS, the City of Daly City recognizes that the current crisis takes place within a long and complex history and affirms that, for a pathway to lasting peace to be developed, the root causes of the crisis will need to be addressed; and

WHEREAS, all human life is precious, and the City of Daly City has a long and proud history of standing on the side of peace, affirming our commitment to speak against injustice, and supporting collaborative dialogue; and

WHEREAS, the loss of life and displacement of people in Israel and Palestine has directly impacted our community through both our direct connections to friends and loved ones in Israel and Gaza and our shared suffering in the face of the ongoing crisis and its ripples; and

WHEREAS, the United Nations reported more than 35,000 fatalities since the war broke out between Israel and Hamas on October 7; and

WHEREAS, the City of Daly City condemns the killing of all innocents before, during, and after October 7, and calls for the release of all hostages; and

WHEREAS, the City of Daly City recognizes the fear, anxiety, and grief of Palestinians, Gazans, and Daly City residents whose friends and loved ones have perished since October 7 or have survived with physical and psychological injuries; and

WHEREAS, millions of lives are at imminent risk from the continued hostilities and due to a lack of food and medical care; and

WHEREAS, international organizations like Amnesty International, the United Nations, the European Parliament, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Rescue Committee, the International Court of Justice, and many others have made calls for an end to the hostilities to prevent the further loss of civilian lives, allow entry of humanitarian aid, and comply with international humanitarian law; and

WHEREAS, on January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a ruling stating that Israel takes all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians and to facilitate the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid. The ICJ remains deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering, and it is committed to promoting a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict; and

WHEREAS, our nation and our leaders are uniquely situated to help end the current violence peacefully.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City of Daly City condemns the recent rise in Antisemitic, anti-Israeli, Islamophobic, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, racist, and xenophobic hatred in our community and across the nation, including efforts to target, harass, and intimidate students, journalists, community leaders, elected officials and others who have spoken for what they believe in; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City of Daly City reaffirms the right to gather and protest peacefully and to do so without fear of intimidation, harassment, or retribution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Daly City City Council does hereby urge our community to develop and participate in activities that foster tolerance, empathy, education, understanding of people of all backgrounds and religious faiths and promote peaceful conflict resolution among all parties and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Daly City joins other cities in calling for our national government for an immediate and permanent bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, unconditional release of all hostages and civilian prisoners, the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the full restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza, and negotiation of a permanent, just solution to the conflict that results in lasting prosperity for all by affirming all parties right to self-determination and peaceful coexistence; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the offices of U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. President Joe Biden, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, urging our leaders to communicate with the leaders of Israel and Gaza to take immediate action to negotiate an end to the violence in Gaza and Israel.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Daly City that it hereby approves the proposed Resolution as shown above.