Hudson, New York passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on February 20, 2024

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE IN GAZA

WHEREAS, the City of Hudson believes that every human should live in an environment of safety, freedom, dignity and equality; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hudson is united against all forms of violence including antisemitism and Islamophobia in all its forms, and recognizes all life as precious; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hudson condemns the ongoing violence against Palestinian people in Gaza and occupied Palestine; and

WHEREAS, over 2,000,000 Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes in Gaza and risk being bombed, which has resulted in the death of over 27,200 civilians in Gaza, over 300 Palestinians in the West Bank, and injured thousands more since October 7th, the day of the violent Hamas attack on Israeli citizens.

WHEREAS, Palestinian people have lost access to almost all electricity, drinking water, food, medical care and humanitarian aid; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hudson recognizes our implicit support for this violence due to the enormous military aid provided to the state of Israel by the United States every year; and

WHEREAS, the City of Hudson recognizes that a lasting resolution that affirms human rights can only be achieved by peaceful and diplomatic means, as demonstrated by the diplomatic negotiations that resulted in the release of hostages and political prisoners in Gaza and Israel in November 2023; and

WHEREAS, sixty one percent of American voters support a ceasefire, according to a November 25th, 2023 Data for Progress poll, and want to see the U.S. leverage its diplomatic relationships “to prevent further violence and civilian deaths”; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hudson supports U.S. House Resolution H.R. 786 and calls upon our leaders in Albany and Washington to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire; the release of all hostages and political prisoners, the swift and unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza; the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; the protection of all journalists; the end to all U.S. military aid to Israel; and calls for a resolution based on peaceful diplomacy that protects the security of all innocent civilians and addresses the historical and on going injustices faced by Palestinians; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Hudson vows to protect the dignity and safety of residents in every community, and that peaceful diplomacy is the only way to achieve this safety and dignity; and

FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to President Joe Biden, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Representative Marcus Molinaro, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator Michelle Hinchey, State Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, and the city councils in the Hudson Valley, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end violence.