Yellow Springs, Ohio CEASEFIRE resolution passed on February 5, 2024

VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO RESOLUTION 2024-12

SUPPORTING THE CONGRESSIONAL AND WORLDWIDE CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA AND THE RELEASE OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS

WHEREAS, the Village of Yellow Springs advocates for the dignity and the right to self- determination of all human beings in every community in the Great State of Ohio, The United States, and around the world regardless of religion, race, class, or nationality; and,

WHEREAS, the Village of Yellow Springs values and actively advocates for democracy, freedom, equity, diversity, and peace for all people and strongly supports Palestinians and the integrity of their culture; and,

WHEREAS, local community members have, in our village's long-standing tradition, organized marches and facilitated opportunities for our youth to participate in the democratic process through walk-outs and nonviolent resistance and,

WHEREAS, community members have expressed struggling with mental and emotional health issues due to a feeling of hopelessness while witnessing a humanitarian crisis unfold. We believe a permanent ceasefire alleviates these difficulties with a permanent ceasefire, and

WHEREAS, we condemn the loss of innocent lives in Israel and Palestine where over one thousand people in Israel and an escalating number --currently over twenty-five-thousand Palestinians in Gaza killed in a matter of one hundred twenty days, of whom over ten thousand are children; and,

WHEREAS, while we celebrate the release of some Palestinian and Israeli hostages and political prisoners, we recognize that there are still approximately one-hundred-thirty-eight Israeli hostages held in Gaza and over seven thousand Palestinian men, children, and women being held captive without being charged with any crime in Israel; and,

WHEREAS, Gaza remains in a dire humanitarian crisis that is getting insurmountably worse each passing day, with the last five remaining hospitals now only partially functional at best, as fuel and medical supplies near depletion, and with over one and a half million Palestinians facing displacement, homelessness, and starvation; and,

WHEREAS, international humanitarian organizations like 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 calls for a ceasefire to prevent further civilian loss of life, following international humanitarian law; and,

WHEREAS, according to the United States Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Yellow Springs residents' federal tax dollars have, since November 2023, contributed $68,965 to Israel's weapons, and use of these weapons against Palestinian civilians is entirely unacceptable and a violation of our humanitarian principles and international law; and,

WHEREAS, Our federal government holds immense diplomatic power to save Palestinian and Israeli lives, and local governments play a role in our democracy to urge needed legislative and policy changes at all levels,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT;

Section 1. Council for the Village of Yellow Springs at this moment urges the Ohio delegation, including Senators J.D. Vance, Representative Michael Turner, and Governor Mike Dewine, to join Senator Sherrod Brown in his support of House Resolution 786, which calls for an immediate de-escalation and permanent ceasefire in occupied Palestine and Israel, as put forward by Michigan Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and others.

Section 2. Council for the Village of Yellow Springs calls for an end to United States funding of wars and military activity across the globe so we can focus our shared resources on addressing issues experienced by the people of the United States who hail from all over the world and who call this country home.

Signed: _______________________________ Kevin Stokes, Council President

Passed: 2-5-2024

Attest: ____________________________ Judy Kintner, Clerk of Council

ROLL CALL

Kevin Stokes__Y_ Gavin Devore Leonard__Y_ Brian Housh_Y__ Carmen Brown__Y__ Trish Gustafson_Y__