Lemon Grove, California passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on March 5, 2024

RESOLUTION NO. 2024

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LEMON GROVE, CALIFORNIA, CALLING FOR A CEASEFIRE AND IMMEDIATE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO THE ONGOING CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS AFFECTING GAZA AND ISRAEL

WHEREAS, the City of Lemon Grove pursues a responsibility to uphold the values of inclusion, diversity and equity; and

WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict in The Middle East has resulted in the tragic loss of many thousands of innocent civilian Israeli and Palestinian lives, and increasing reports of Anti-Semitic, Islamophobia, Anti-Jewish, Anti-Palestinian, and Anti-Arab incidents; and

WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a terrorist attack causing the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of innocent civilians as hostages; and

WHEREAS, in response, the State of Israel has engaged in a bombing campaign targeting Hamas terrorists operating within civilian populations including hospitals, schools, etc. of the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over thirty thousand innocent Palestinians, the damage to 85% of the infrastructure, and the displacement of 1.9 million Palestinians; and

WHEREAS, many of our community members have suffered from an alarming rise in Antisemitism and Islamophobia; and

WHEREAS, the City of Lemon Grove stands firmly on the foundations of peace, unity, respect, understanding, and the universal value and preciousness of all lives: and

WHEREAS, the City of Lemon Grove as a local government organization can contribute to the collective efforts of a global society to promote a culture of peace, understanding, and cooperation, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond local borders;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Lemon Grove as follows:

SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Lemon Grove hereby unequivocally and without prejudice, condemns: terrorist acts; every form of avoidable, unnecessary, unlawful violence that results in the death, injury, displacement, or mortal endangerment of innocent civilians; intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Anti-Arab, Anti- Palestinian and Anti- Jewish sentiments, rhetoric, and attacks in our region, nation and across the world; and specifically the terrorist actions of Hamas of October 7, 2023 and the violent acts committed by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank.

SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Lemon Grove hereby supports Congressional Resolution H.R. 786, and joins other cities in calling on Congress and the Biden administration to demand: an immediate ceasefire; an immediate release of all hostages Hamas took on October 7, 2023; urgent safe passage and delivery of substantial and sufficient humanitarian aid to Gaza; the restoration of food and utilities; and a lasting political resolution that protects the lives, health, and security of all innocent civilians.

SECTION 3. The City Council requests that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the City's delegation of federal representatives and disseminated to any requesting interested parties.