Hastings, Minnesota CEASEFIRE resolution passed on January 16, 2024

RESOLUTION FOR CEASE FIRE AND HUMANITARIAN AID IN GAZA WHEREAS, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law;

WHEREAS, on October 26th, the United Nations General Assembly, in a near unanimous vote, called for an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk if a ceasefire is not achieved, and humanitarian aid is not delivered without delay; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government of the United States holds immense diplomatic and appropriations powers to save Palestinian and Israeli lives;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hastings, Minnesota calls upon our U.S. Congressional delegation, both in the Senate and House of Representatives, to join us in –

1) urging the Biden administration to immediately call for and facilitate de-escalation and a ceasefire to urgently end the current violence; and

2) calling upon the Biden administration to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance -at the scale needed- into Gaza.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Hastings, Minnesota supports all of its residents and condemns all forms of racism, bigotry, and discrimination.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hastings City Council asks city staff to quickly send copies of this resolution to the President of the United States Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith and Congresswoman Angie Craig.