Wellfleet, Massachusetts passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on May 20, 2024
ARTICLE NO. 28 – PETITIONED ARTILCE – IN SUPPORT OF ENDURING CEASEFIRE IN GAZA:
WHEREAS, The Town of Wellfleet recognizes that all human life is precious, regardless of race, religion, or nationality; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Wellfleet advocates for the safety, dignity, freedom, and equality of all people, regardless of religion, race, or nationality; and
WHEREAS, Since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 240 taken hostage, Israel's war on Gaza has killed over 29,000 Palestinians, including over 13,000 children, and wounded nearly 70,000; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing military campaign and blockade of Gaza has caused a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, including the displacement of approximately 1.9 million people (85% of Gaza's population) and the near destruction of the healthcare system and civilian infrastructure, with the World Health Organization reporting that all Gazan hospitals have been destroyed or seriously damaged, and nearly 2.2 million people at "imminent risk of famine," according to the United Nations; and
WHEREAS, On January 26, 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a preliminary ruling finding that Palestinians of Gaza are a protected group under the genocide law and ordered Israel to prevent genocidal acts, including the killing of members of the group, and to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance; and
WHEREAS, International organizations such as Amnesty International, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the International Rescue Committee, and many others, have made a call for a ceasefire to prevent the further loss of life of civilians and to be in accordance with international humanitarian law; and
WHEREAS, Members of the Wellfleet community, including Muslims, Arabs, Jews, and others, are experiencing trauma, grief, shock, and fear, compounded by increased incidents of Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian racism, both nationally and locally;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Town of Wellfleet supports an enduring ceasefire, the unrestricted entry of life-saving humanitarian aid in Gaza, the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; and the release of allhostages, detainees, and political prisoners on all sides;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Town of Wellfleet condemns antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, Islamophobic, and all 'xenophobic rhetoric and attacks,
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Town of Wellfleet urges the Biden Administration, Senate, and Congress, to uphold the United States' obligations under the Genocide Convention and international law and work towards an enduring ceasefire, the restoration of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages, detainees, and political prisoners;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to each member of our federal delegation and to President Biden, urging them to use their position to enact a sustained ceasefire.
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Summary presented to the Town Council-
SUMMARY: Since the horrific Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, more than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, over 13,000 of these being children. The death toll continues to be over one hundred people daily, nearly half of them children. More than 1.8 million people have lost their homes and are now displaced and living in tents in Rafah, an area about 70 percent the size of Wellfleet. Starvation and disease are rampant. According to Oxfam, the people in Gaza are facing mass starvation on an unprecedented scale. Convoys of vehicles laden with humanitarian aid are waiting just across the border in Egypt, but their entry has been severely restricted by Israel. The Ceasefire Resolution joins other municipalities across Massachusetts in calling for an immediate and enduring ceasefire that would stop the killing and facilitate the safe passage of critical humanitarian aid, thereby averting death by bombing, starvation, and disease on a massive scale. For more information related to the Ceasefire Resolution please see http://tiny.cc/CeasefireOnePager.
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Organizers in Wellfleet put together the following Google Doc in order to support their organizing:
