Olympia, Washington CEASEFIRE resolution passed on December 12, 2023

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE IN ISRAEL AND OCCUPIED PALESTINE

WHEREAS, Palestinian and Israeli people have a shared future that is inseparable, and we affirm the right to exist for both Palestine and Israel; and

WHEREAS, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no mater their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, armed violence has caused the loss of a staggering number of lives and has wounded thousands in Israel and Palestine, and we urge the prevention of any further loss of life or harm; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk if an immediate, sustainable, and agreed upon cease-fire and end to this war is not achieved and humanitarian life-saving aid is not delivered without delay; and

WHEREAS, the release of all Israeli hostages and all Palestinian prisoners who are unlawfully detained without due process must be prioritized; and

WHEREAS, this global violence may result in increased violence, antisemitism, islamophobia, xenophobia, and anti-Arab bigotry in Olympia; and

WHEREAS, the City of Olympia is committed to the safe and humane treatment of all of its residents; and

NOW, THEREFORE, THE OLYMPIA CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE:

Section 1. To call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Israel and Occupied Palestine to end the current violence, for humanitarian aid to be given to those in Gaza, and for the release of all unlawfully detained civilians.

Section 2. To commit city resources in preventing and responding to hate crimes, such as acts of antisemitism, islamophobia, xenophobia, and anti-Arab bigotry, as outlined in our Reimagining Public Safety Plan.

Section 3. A commitment to partner with local community, faith, educational, and cultural leaders to:

a. Begin conversations and develop actions to reduce antisemitism, islamophobia, xenophobia, and anti-Arab bigotry.

b. Engage the broader community together around understanding our shared values.

Section 4. A copy of this resolution will be transmited to members of Washington’s Delegation to Congress and add our support for HR 786 and HR 3103 to our federal legislative agenda.