The Multnomah County Democratic Central Committee (Oregon) passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on January 11, 2024

Multnomah Democrats Resolution 2024-01: A Call for Peace   

WHEREAS the Democratic Party of Multnomah County acts to advance peace, justice, and freedom for all peoples; and

WHEREAS we are heartbroken over the deaths, suffering, and captivity of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians and all others caught up in the current conflict between Israel and Hamas: we mourn for all of them; and

WHEREAS every country has a right to defend itself, but harming innocents is tragic and intolerable; and

WHEREAS Israel has a right to hold Hamas accountable for the assault on civilians in Israel on October 7, 2023, yet negotiations with Hamas for the return of the remaining hostages must continue until all are free; and

WHEREAS a terrible tragedy is unfolding in Gaza, as civilians caught between Israeli and Hamas forces have been bombed, displaced from their homes, and have had their infrastructure destroyed; and

WHEREAS humanitarian efforts to aid affected civilians in Gaza have been paralyzed by the ongoing war, with severe shortages of food, water, and medical aid contributing to the ongoing misery and suffering of innocents; and 

WHEREAS this conflict has a devastating and divisive impact on Jewish and Palestinian communities both in the Middle East and elsewhere, including here in Oregon and  Multnomah County, and has fueled increasing Islamophobia and antisemitism; and

WHEREAS the Palestinian people also have a right to a free and independent state, self-governed by duly-elected leaders; and

WHEREAS the United States, as a long-standing ally and supporter of Israel, has the opportunity to influence actions of Israel’s government;       

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

1. We call on Hamas and Israel for an immediate halt to the active hostilities to allow the free access of humanitarian aid organizations to provide medical aid, food, water, clothing, shelter, fuel, and heating oil to Gazan civilians;

2.  We call for the International Red Cross and other aid workers to be given immediate access to all hostages being held in Gaza,  and we call for the immediate return of all hostages;   

3. We call for international oversight at the end of the conflict to facilitate the rebuilding of Gaza;

 4. We call for a two-state solution that will enable both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and safety; and

5. In addition, as Multnomah County Democratic PCPs we take responsibility individually and collectively to educate and intervene when we encounter antisemitism or Islamophobia in our families, workplaces, communities and social media;

6. We call for an immediate ceasefire. 

On passage, this resolution will be sent to our US Senators Wyden and Merkley; our US Representatives Blumenauer, Bonamici, and Chavez-DeRemer; President Biden; Senate Majority Leader Schumer; and House Minority Leader Jeffries.

ADOPTED by the Multnomah County Democratic Party on the 12th day of January, 2024