Texas Democratic Party resolution unanimously passed on December 2nd, 2023
Title: Resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian Issue, the War in Gaza, Civilians, Hostages, and the Call for a Humanitarian Ceasefire
Whereas, the longstanding and deeply complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a source of immense suffering for both Israeli and Palestinian people;
Whereas, the recent hostilities in Gaza have created tragic consequences, leading to the loss of innocent civilian lives, extensive destruction, and suffering among both Israelis and Palestinians;
Whereas, the tragic loss of Israeli lives on October 7, 2023, was the deadliest attack against Jewish people since the Holocaust;
Whereas, Democrats have an unwavering commitment to the principles of human rights, international law, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts;
Whereas, it is important to protect the rights, dignity, and security of all individuals, including those in West Bank, Gaza and Israel;
Whereas, international law forbids the intentional targeting of civilians, hostage-taking, use of human shields, collective punishment, forced displacement, cutting off water and electricity to civilians, and denying immediate humanitarian aid;
Whereas, the civilian casualties and the plight of hostages in Gaza has caused deep concern the world over;
Whereas, antisemitism and Islamophobia are rising in America, including numerous incidents on college campuses across the nation that threaten the well-being and safety of Jewish and Muslim students, resulting in bomb threats against Jewish institutions and the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American Muslim child and the attempted murder of his mother in Illinois, and the shooting of two Palestinian-American students and their Palestinian friend in Vermont;
Whereas, the Texas Democratic Party platform states its support of policies and programs that restore our moral status in the world by promoting human rights and democracy;
Whereas, the Texas Democratic Party platform states its commitment to restoring U.S. leadership in international institutions such as the United Nations and other alliances;
Whereas, the International Labour Organization (ILO) released a statement on October 27, 2023, expressing the ILO Director-General’s “support for the UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of the hostages”;
Whereas, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement on October 28, 2023, stating “WHO reiterates its calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and reminds all parties to the conflict to take all precautions to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure”;
Whereas, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in a briefing on October 31, 2023, with the Security Council, stated “A humanitarian ceasefire, coupled of course with substantive delivery of humanitarian aid inside Gaza, can at least stop this spiral of death, and I hope that you will overcome your divisions and exercise your authority in demanding one. The world is waiting for you to do so”;
Whereas, the World Food Programme (WFP) released a statement on November 5, 2023, stating “We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”;
Whereas, President Biden and his administration have taken the lead in establishing a humanitarian pause in the conflict, resulting in the release of some Israeli and international hostages, some Palestinian prisoners and the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza,
Whereas, President Biden and his administration have secured an extension of that humanitarian pause, resulting in the release of additional Israeli and international hostages and Palestinian prisoners and additional badly needed deliveries of humanitarian aid; and
Whereas, hostages are still held and the need for additional aid for the civilians of Gaza is substantial; Now, Therefore, Be It
Resolved that the Texas Democratic Party:
expresses its immense sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and the suffering endured by civilians in Gaza, Israel, and the broader region;
calls for an immediate ceasefire, encouraging all parties to cease hostilities and prioritize the protection of civilian lives;
calls for the immediate release of all hostages;
urges the international community, including the United States, to actively support and
engage in diplomatic efforts to remove from power and bring to justice those who perpetrated the October 7 massacre, support fundamental principles of human rights, and bring about a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict;
stands in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine, who are suffering from the violence and hostilities;
supports equality, and self-determination for the Palestinian people who do not have a state of their own;
calls upon the United States and international governments to facilitate a two-state solution, through “direct negotiations between willing and responsible partners”, as called for in our Platform, where all parties recognize the State of Israel and the State of Palestine;
calls on Texas Democrats to recognize the humanity of both Palestinians and Israelis when commenting on the crisis and condemns the rhetoric that leads to violence here and overseas;
calls on the Texas congressional delegation to advocate for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that respects the rights and aspirations of all parties;
commits itself to raising awareness about the Israeli-Palestinian issue and fostering dialogue and understanding within our own party and among our constituents;
condemns any and all acts of terrorism perpetrated by Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the US Government, as of October 8th, 1997, as designated by the US Secretary of State in accordance with Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended; and
supports President Biden’s efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
************************** Submitted by: SDEC Resolutions Committee
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Press release:
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued a statement following the unanimous passage of the resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC):
“There is no difference between the cries of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and the senseless killings of innocent lives must come to an end. Texas Democratic Party leaders representing a broad and diverse network of coalitions and communities affected by all sides of this conflict are calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Israel and the broader region – encouraging all parties to cease hostilities and prioritize the protection of civilian lives and the immediate release of all hostages following the Hamas-sponsored terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7th, 2023.
“It is without question that the Texas Democratic Party condemns all forms of terrorism – and Hamas is a chief perpetrator of terrorism in the Middle East. Every Texas Democrat mourns with the world in the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks in Israel and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. As a result of these attacks, it is imperative that the Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, Sikh, Arab, South Asian, and all impacted communities of Texas are offered enhanced security protections due to the rise of antisemitic and Islamophobic hate crimes in the United States.
“I am calling on Governor Greg Abbott to implement the following measures to further combat the rise of antisemitic and Islamophobic violence in Texas: Fully fund tangible initiatives to counter antisemitism and Islamophobia in all Texas public schools, places of worship, government agencies, and workplaces; and increase staff capacity within the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Counter-Terrorism Unit to monitor and deter domestic terroristic threats against impacted communities. The State of Texas must not sit idly by as our communities suffer from hate speech and the ever-present threat of violence.
“Additionally, the Texas Democratic Party unequivocally supports President Biden’s efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and commend the Administration’s diplomatic efforts to release hostages, allow more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, and combat the rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia here in the United States.
“Texas is the most diverse state in the country, which means that the big-tent Texas Democratic Party is one of the most diverse state parties in the country – and we’re proud to be the first State Democratic Party to deliver this comprehensive resolution that our SDEC unanimously rallied behind. Unfortunately, this conflict is far from over, and the Texas Democratic Party will continue to work with our SDEC members, elected officials, activists, and community leaders to meet the moment as the conflict unfolds.”
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