FAIRFAX TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT
AGENDA ITEM #15
MEETING DATE June 5, 2024
PREPARED FOR Town Council
PREPARED BY Council Subcommittee: Councilmember Hellman, Councilmember Cutrano SUBJECT Adopt Proclamation of Peace
Consideration of topics of regional, national, and international interest was officially adopted as policy of the Town of Fairfax in 2008 with Town ordinance 733 which is codified in Fairfax Town Code Section
2.08.090 (B) as follows:
"The Town Council, recognizing that the health and welfare of the town is inextricably intertwined with that of regional, state, national and international communities and economies, hereby adopts an agenda policy which encourages discussion of a broad range of proposed resolutions on public issues, including those of regional, state, national and international concern..." During the April regular monthly Fairfax Town Council meeting, the town council established a subcommittee to develop a resolution or proclamation concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict and humanitarian crisis. Since then, many hours have been spent listening to community members and researching this difficult and delicate situation that is the source of tremendous pain and distress locally and globally. The Town of Fairfax Proclamation for Commitment to and Support for IsraeliPalestinian Peace was informed by community and developed with care upholding Fairfax’s longstanding commitment to Peace, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
ATTACHMENTS
Proclamation
TOWN OF FAIRFAX PROCLAMATION
Commitment to and Support for Israeli–Palestinian Peace WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax, with a population of 7,500 residents who value and prioritize diverse community perspectives and advocate for the health, safety, dignity, freedom, and equality of all people, regardless of religion, race, or nationality; and
WHEREAS, Town Code 2.08.090 specifies that the Town may make proclamations regarding any issues of public concern, including those of regional, state, national or international concern presented to the Town Council, and WHEREAS, the Town has a history of making such proclamations, for example, on May 3, 2023 for Peace in Ukraine, and
WHEREAS, to solve world problems and live in peace, all people must share global responsibility for international cooperation and extend their citizenship responsibilities beyond state and nation; and WHEREAS, the State of Israel, established in 1948, is recognized as a legitimate and sovereign nation, with a right to exist in peace and security within internationally recognized borders, and its historical and cultural significance is acknowledged and affirmed; and
WHEREAS, 146 countries have formally recognized the State of Palestine as a sovereign nation, reflecting growing international support for Palestinian self-determination and the aspirations of the Palestinian people for an independent and viable state living in peace and security alongside Israel; WHEREAS, Hamas is an Islamist militant movement that has controlled the Gaza Strip for nearly two decades, explicitly calls for the destruction of the State of Israel thereby undermining peace efforts and contributing to ongoing instability and conflict in the region;
WHEREAS, the town of Fairfax recognizes the magnitude of history, complexities and nuance in IsraeliPalestinian relations; and WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax recognizes the fear, anxiety, and grief of Israelis and Fairfax residents whose friends and loved ones perished, were taken hostage or survived the October 7, 2023 attack with physical and psychological injuries, and the continuing pain for the suffering of those who are being held hostage; and WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax recognizes the fear, anxiety, and grief of Palestinians, Gazans, and Fairfax residents whose friends and loved ones have perished since October 7, 2023 or have survived with physical and psychological injuries; and
WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions of civilians and children, and placed millions of lives in imminent risk danger due to continued hostilities, lack of food and water, and inadequate medical care; and
WHEREAS, over the last several months, Fairfax community members have reached out to council members through written communications, phone calls, meetings, and a presence at Town Council meetings expressing concerns about the mass and rapid loss of human life; and that this has impacted their own lives, through connections and painful stories of loved ones, friends, and family members who have been personally impacted, as well as discrimination and hate incidents experienced at home in Fairfax; and WHEREAS, many community members have called upon city leaders to adopt a resolution that calls for peace by and for all parties to protect the safety and security of innocent civilians; the release of all hostages; the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, including the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies; and the respect for international humanitarian law; and WHEREAS, some community members have also expressed fear that any action taken by the Town Council may exacerbate existing divisions within our community and potentially lead to an increase in incidents of racism and hate speech or behavior; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax condemns the recent rise in Antisemitic, anti-Israeli, Islamophobic, anti-arab, anti-Palestinian, racist, and xenophobic hatred in our community and across the nation, including efforts to target, harass, and intimidate students, journalists, community leaders, elected officials and others who have spoken for what they believe in; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Fairfax recognizes that members of our community are feeling grief, trauma, anxiety, pain, and fear about the impacts both in Palestine and Israel and within local communities around the world; and WHEREAS, despite differences within our community, all express a shared desire to prevent further violence and deaths of civilians and children, some of whom are connected to community members right here in Fairfax; and WHEREAS, in alignment with other national and international leaders and organizations, we must do all we can to encourage all parties to find a pathway to creating a lasting sustainable peace; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Fairfax:
1. Acknowledges the mass suffering of the peoples of Palestine and Israel, and the direct impacts to the people of Fairfax.
2. Stands united against violence and affirms our shared humanity and wish for peace.
3. Supports all efforts to establish a collaborative monitored agreement to end violence and support peaceful dialogue among all parties.
4. Calls for an immediate, permanent, sustainable end to violent conflict by all parties such that a future can be created where Palestinians and Israelis can live together with dignity in peace, equality, and justice.
5. Urges the release of all hostages, and immediate entry of humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza, including the restoration of food, water, electricity, and medical supplies, and the respect for international humanitarian law.
6. Encourages our community to continue to develop and participate in activities that bring us together, foster tolerance, empathy, education, and understanding of each other and people of all backgrounds and religious faiths.
Proclaimed this 5th day of June 2024, by the Town Council of Fairfax, California. ________________________________________
Barbara Coler, Mayor of Fairfax