AGENDA
ITEM
1 AGENDA
CALEXICO California ITEM
WHERE CALIFORNIA AND MEXICO MEET
1 CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 22, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
APPROVED BY:
PREPARED BY: Gilberto Manzanarez, Mayor Pro Tem
SUBJECT: Resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the blockade of critical humanitarian aid, release of all hostages, and condemning antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks. =======
Recommendation:
Resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the blockade of critical humanitarian aid, release of all hostages, and condemning antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks.
Background:
On April 3, 2024 Grassroots Community Organization Imperial Valley for Palestine advocated and requested for the City of Calexico to adopt a resolution calling for the cease fire in the Gaza region.
Fiscal Impact:
None
Coordinated With:
Grassroots Community Organization Imperial Valley
Attachments):
1. Resolution
Resolution No.
City _, State
Resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, an end to the blockade of critical humanitarian aid, release of all hostages, and condemning antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, and Islamophobic rhetoric and attacks.
WHEREAS, the City of Calexico is dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity, values all life, upholds the principles of equality and human rights; and WHEREAS, The City of Calexico condemns the October 7th, 2023 attack by Hamas, causing the deaths of 1,200 Israelis, and the taking of over 200 civilian hostages; and WHEREAS, The City of Calexico condemns the Netanyahu government's indiscriminate retaliation by the State of Israel which has resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 civilian Palestinians, including over 14,000 innocent children, and the displacement of 2 million Palestinian people; and WHEREAS, Recognized humanitarian organizations such as Amnesty International, United Nations, World Health Organization, Doctors Without Borders, and Human Rights Watch, along with over 120 countries have called for "a total ceasefire and unconditional supply of humanitarian aid, including access to food, fuel, and water" in order to prevent the further loss of life and be in accordance with international humanitarian law; and
WHEREAS, Incidents of anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-Semitic bigotry and violence are on the rise within our country, posing a significant threat to the well-being and safety of our diverse communities and all Americans; and
WHEREAS, The City of Calexico recognizes the current crisis is deeply rooted within a long history that affirms that for a pathway to lasting peace and justice to be developed, the root causes of the conflict need to be addressed and a ceasefire is essential to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and create conditions conducive to long-term resolution; and
WHEREAS, The City of Calexico supports and joins over one hundred other cities nationwide in calling on the United States Federal Government and Members of Congress to use their immense diplomatic power to save Palestinian and Israeli lives, and seek a lasting peace, in our time and for all time; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Calexico does hereby support:
(1) An immediate permanent ceasefire by all parties, an end to all hostilities, and to begin through diplomacy a reinvigorated effort that seeks a permanent, just solution to the conflict and lasting peace in the region, and;
(2) An immediate end to all acts of violence against civilians, and; (3) Unconditional release of all hostages, and;
(4) Ensure the release of all Palestinians, including children, held without charge or trial in Israeli prisons, and;
(5) An end to the siege and blockade of Gaza thus allowing an unrestricted delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid, and restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies, (6) Mutual respect for and adherence to international law and respect for all members of our community.
NOW, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of the City Clerk provide a copy of this resolution be sent to city councils in the Imperial County area, the offices of 36th District State Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, 18th District State Senator Steve Padilla, Governor of California Gavin Newsom, 25th District U.S. Representative Dr. Raul Ruiz, U.S. Senator Laphonza R. Butler, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. President Joe Biden, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Urging all elected officials to take immediate action.
PASSED AND ADOPTED as a resolution of the City Council of the City of _, State ot _at its regularly scheduled meeting held on