From: D Alwan
To: City Clerk
Subject: Subject line: Support for the Ceasefire Resolution Date: Sunday, February 25, 2024 10:37:25 PM
Dear City Council Members,
My name is Dunya Alwan. I am a part time resident of Fort Bragg and I did human rights work and supported Palestinian led nonviolent resistance in the West Bank between 2001- 2012.
Thank you for taking this step to bring this agenda item to the full Council.
I am in support of Fort Bragg adopting a resolution that demands Israel stop its assault on Gaza and implement a Permanent Cease Fire NOW.
Prior to October 7th, 2023, for decades Israel has persistently perpetrated at least five categories of major violations of international human rights and humanitarian law which have come to characterize their belligerent occupation.These violations against Palestinian people by Israel are: unlawful killings; forced displacement; abusive detentions; the closure of the Gaza Strip and other unjustified restrictions on movement; and land confiscation and the development of settlements on Palestinian lands.Along with these violations Israel perpetrates accompanying discriminatory policies that disadvantage Palestinians and are forms of collective punishment and Apartheid.These policies and practices are perpetrated against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza and extend beyond to Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians in diaspora all of whom are often separated from lands and loved ones and who are discriminated against and persecuted by Israel as well.Further, Israel has and continues to arrest, detain, brutalize and murder Palestinian Americans with no accountability whatsoever.
Over the last 4.5 months over 122 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza.
Still, we have see graphic images and heard first person accounts by Palestinian people of their own denial of medical care, food, water, homes destroyed.Over 70% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed and an 85 per cent of Gaza's population have been displaced across the Strip.
Israel has driven millions in what it described as safe zones only for them to be fired on there.
We continue seen first person accounts of privation, torture, and slaughter. Israel's attacks have killed an estimated 30,000 Palestinians, including at least 12,660 children and 8,570 women. Additionally, 69,465 others have been injured, with more than 70% of the wounded being women and children.Whole families have been wiped out.
Worse yet.Israel shows no sign of stopping.
The International Court of Justice agrees that Israel’s action since October 7th constitutes probable genocide.
And yet, Israel shows no sign of stopping.
Recently, a federal judge in Oakland stated that the Biden Administration is aiding and abetting Israeli genocidal.
And yet, the Biden administration continues to support Israel with aid, expertise, and weapons.
In the face of these crimes against humanity one thing local communities can do and are doing is take a stand and make collective statements.Cease Fire Resolutions are coming from San Francisco to Chicago from Seattle to Atlanta, from Detroit to Minneapolis and beyond.
The ethical thing to do is take a stand and demand a Permanent Cease Fire.We call on you, our electeds to support our community call and to send a message that Israeli Occupation, Apartheid, Genocide, and Immunity won’t be tolerated.Permanent Cease Fire NOW!
Sincerely,
D. Alwan