Iowa City, Iowa CEASEFIRE resolution passed on January 2, 2024

Resolution supporting a permanent ceasefire in Palestine and Israel, the return of all captives, and the delivery of humanitarian aid; and affirming opposition to antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab bigotry with the aim of achieving a just and lasting political solution.

Whereas, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law; and

Whereas, over 1,200 Israelis were killed on October 7th, over 20,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 7th 2023, as of January 2, 2024, and people of other nationalities have been killed; and

Whereas, continued hostilities have forced 85% of Palestinians in Gaza and 5-10% of Israelis to flee their homes; and

Whereas, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk without an immediate permanent ceasefire, restoration of basic necessities, and delivery of adequate and unconditional humanitarian aid without delay to the Palestinian people; and

Whereas, more than one hundred Israeli captives are held by Hamas and more than 7,000 Palestinian captives are held without due process under Israeli martial law; and

Whereas, the United States government and our elected leaders hold immense diplomatic power to save Palestinian and Israeli lives, and US law requires that foreign military aid not be used in the contravention of international law; and

Whereas, the United States provides ongoing military aid to Israel, of which approximately $748,000 annually came from taxpayers in Iowa City, as well as humanitarian aid to Palestine, of which approximately $31,000 annually came from Iowa City taxpayers during the period from 2017 to 2022; and

Whereas, the majority of nations in the UN have voted in favor of a ceasefire resolution, and millions of people worldwide, including residents of Iowa City, have joined in peaceful protests since October 7 to amplify this call; and

Whereas, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry, and antisemitism have risen significantly across the United States, and around the world, with direct impacts on communities – from synagogues and mosques to schools, universities, homes, offices, and places where communities gather, as well as at protests and rallies; and

Whereas, all of these forms of bigotry, violence, and oppression serve to divide our communities and weaken our efforts to achieve collective safety, justice, and true multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious democracy here and everywhere.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of the City of Iowa City that:

  1. The City of Iowa City unequivocally condemns both the attack on October 7, 2023 by Hamas, and the killing of civilians in Gaza and West Bank by the state of Israel; and

  2. The City of Iowa City affirms its commitment to combat anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab bigotry, antisemitism, and Islamophobia; and

  3. The City of Iowa City affirms its support for all people in Palestine and Israel to live in peace, justice, and security; and

  4. The City of Iowa City affirms its support for the rights of all people, including residents of Iowa City, to live, learn, work, play, worship, and engage in peaceful protest, all without intimidation, coercion, or the threat of violence; and

  5. The City of Iowa City asks our congressional delegation to support all resolutions and legislation that match the values stated throughout this Iowa City resolution, especially those that aim to alleviate the urgent humanitarian disaster in Gaza, such as US House Resolution No. 786; and

  6. The City of Iowa City affirms first-amendment rights of citizens to criticize government or government policy, and affirms that criticism of governments in Israel and Palestine is not inherently antisemitic or anti-Arab; and

  7. The City of Iowa City supports the delivery of immediate, unconditional, and sufficient humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza; and

  8. The City of Iowa City affirms its commitment to US laws requiring that arms transfers be used in accordance with international law; and

  9. The City of Iowa City resolves that the Iowa City Clerk's Office will provide a copy of this resolution to the members of the Iowa State legislature, the Iowa State Governor, and the United States Congressional delegations from Iowa.