Houston People’s Resolution introduced on May 1, 2024
Author(s): Houston for Palestinian Liberation
People’s Resolution For an End to Israel’s Genocide of the Palestinian People
Whereas, on October 11th, 2023, the City of Houston expressed firm solidarity and commiseration with the State and People of Israel, failing to acknowledge Israel’s ongoing and current status as a settler colonial and apartheid state, illegally occupying Palestinian land since 1947.
Whereas, Israel is waging a genocidal campaign and in the last six months, has murdered over 34,535 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, injured 77,704, forcibly displaced 1.7 million Palestinians, and completely destroyed Gaza civilian infrastructure, with damages estimated to be at least $18.5bn.
Whereas, Israel’s current genocide against Palestine is an acceleration of its 75+ year project of ethnic cleansing and forced expulsion of the Palestinian people, with the aim of colonizing the whole of Palestine.
Whereas, Israel was created through the forced expulsion of over 750,000+ Palestinians in 1948 (aka an-Nakba) from over 400 towns and villages, creating one of the largest refugee crises in human history.
Whereas, Israel illegally occupied the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza Strip, alongside the Egyptian Sinai and Syrian Golan Heights in 1967, forcing 250,000+ Palestinians into exile while establishing a military rule over Palestine.
Whereas, Israel administers its illegal military occupation of the West Bank through a system of apartheid in which Palestinians are forced to walk on separate roads, denied access to basic freedoms, and are subject to illegal military check-points where they are humiliated, beaten, stripped, and tortured.
Whereas, the United States government provides the Israeli government with unconditional diplomatic, political, financial, and material support as it executes its colonization and genocide of the Palestinan people. This support extends beyond mere political rhetoric; the US contributes significantly through its intelligence apparatus, providing Israel with strategic intelligence, surveillance technologies, and military aid that further bolster Israel's efforts in the occupied territories. This intelligence collaboration reinforces Israel's military dominance and facilitates its control over Palestinian territories, perpetuating the cycle of oppression and dispossession endured by the Palestinian people.
Whereas, for the last 17 years, Israel has imposed an illegal land, air, and sea siege and blockade of the Gaza Strip, denying Palestinians access to food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities, while regularly initiating bombing campaigns that claim the lives of thousands of Palestinians.
Whereas, Israel has taken thousands of Palestinians captive since October 7. Currently, the number of Palestinians arrested in the occupied West Bank exceeds 8,515 people, according to the Addameer monitor in Ramallah. Israel continues to hold tens of thousands of Palestinians as political prisoners under inhumane conditions, including thousands held without due process or trial. This number does not include the thousands of adults and children the Israeli army has reportedly detained, tortured and interrogated in makeshift prisons across Gaza, outside any legal oversight.
Whereas, hundreds of children, some as young as 7 years old, are unjustly detained by Israel as political prisoners. Graphic videos obtained by Military Court Watch show Israeli soldiers beating, abusing and tormenting these children.
Whereas, since the founding of Israel, which was recognized first by the United States in 1948, the U.S. has provided over $300 billion dollars in economic and military support. This number has been adjusted for inflation. The U.S. continues to give at least $3.8 billion each year to Israel, with $32,155,947 coming from Houston households.
Whereas, the City of Houston is also complicit in genocide and has invested an additional $10 million dollars in Israel since August 2021. On November 29th, 2023, City Council approved the most recent investment policy resolution, well after the start of Israel’s latest brutal assault on Gaza.
Whereas, the $32 million taken from Houston taxpayers could otherwise fund 4,000 Houstonians with public housing, 11,000 children with free healthcare, and 351 new elementary school teachers for Houston schools each year.
Whereas, the City of Houston Mayor, John Whitmire ,has failed to express any public opposition to the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, despite public outcry and direct engagement for 24 weeks at City Council.
Whereas, the Houston City Council has failed to heed the call by constituents to issue a resolution or public statement in support of a ceasefire.
Whereas, the Houston representatives in the United States House of Representatives and Senate continue to oppose an immediate, permanent ceasefire.
Whereas, The citizens of Houston are deeply troubled by the stance taken by our elected representatives, who endorse the ongoing tragedy unfolding in Israel. We vehemently reject any complicity in the use of our tax dollars to support the bombardment of the resilient people of Gaza.
Whereas, the Palestinian people deserve to live with freedom and dignity, and the people of Houston stand firmly and resolutely with them.
Therefore, be it Resolved by the People of Houston:
The People of Houston call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire to end Israel’s current genocide against the Palestinian people, an end to Israel’s 17-year land, air, and sea siege on Gaza, an end to all U.S. aid to Israel and an end to Israel’s illegal occupation and colonization of Palestine.
Be it further resolved, the People of Houston call for an end to all current and future partnerships between the City of Houston and Israel, including Houston Police Department trainings conducted by the Israeli Occupation Forces, as well as for the financial withdrawal of all stocks, bonds, or financial support for countries that violate international law. We demand our taxpayer dollars be reinvested into Houston.
Be it further resolved, The people of Houston steadfastly oppose the purported "democratic institutions" that prioritize profit and self-interest over the genuine will of the people. Instead, we embrace the power and unified aspirations of our community as the true guiding force in our political landscape.
Be it further resolved, the People of Houston reject any action taken or delay that does not result in a call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire, an end to Israel’s siege on Gaza, an end to all U.S. aid to Israel and an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
Be it further resolved, the People of Houston will not rest until Palestine is free.