CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GRACEY VAN DER MARK, MAYOR PRO TEM
DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2023
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023‐50 IN SUPPORT OF ISRAEL AND CONDEMNING THE ATTACKS ON ISRAEL BY HAMAS
ISSUE STATEMENT
On October 7, 2023, the known middle‐east terrorist group, Hamas, launched a significant unprovoked surprise attack against the state of Israel. Israel is a long‐time ally of the United States and in recent years has engaged neighboring countries in the Middle East to work to establish peace and ongoing working relations.
It has been widely reported that the Hamas attack on Israel has so far resulted in approximately 2,000 people being killed, nearly 3,000 others being injured, and hundreds taken hostage by Hamas. Over 50 children have been killed, some were beheaded. Among the dead are at least 14 American citizens and
an undetermined number of people who have been taken hostage by Hamas.
According to ABCNews reports, as Israelis were wrapping up the seven‐day‐long Jewish festival of Sukkot on Saturday, sirens echoed across the country just before dawn, and citizens soon realized it was not a
false alarm. A full‐fledged surprise attack was being waged from the air, sea and ground by hordes of Hamas militants. Thousands of missiles fired from Gaza streaked through the sky and began raining down on indiscriminate targets in Israel, sparking terror and leaving hundreds of bodies in the streets of cities and buildings decimated. Simultaneously, hundreds of armed fighters of the terrorist group, many on motorcycles, followed bulldozers that breached fences separating Israel from Gaza and charged into cities, taking Israeli soldiers off guard and gunning down citizens.
This barbaric attack on Israel and the intolerable death and destruction by Hamas should be condemned by every person, every country, and every government around the world. To that end, this City Council too should make the City's position known.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
The City Council adopt the attached Resolution stating that the City publicly declares support for Israel, condemns the barbaric attacks on Israel by Hamas, publicly expresses sympathy for those Israelis who are suffering and dying at the hands of Hamas, and that
the City publicly calls for an immediate end to the
war.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Not Applicable