From:
To: City Council
Cc: Diana Rich
Subject: Draft Resolution on Gaza and Israel
Date: Saturday, February 17, 2024 9:46:52 AM
As a member of Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa, I was very distressed by the draft content of this resolution. This resolution is completely one-sided and divisive and should be pulled from the consent calendar. It should be open to debate and careful consideration.
In an effort to insert facts into the dialogue, instead of repeating the story that the Hamas terrorist group tells the media, this resolution should be considered with more facts and dialogue. Shouting, threats, antisemitism, harassment and intimidation has been the hallmark of the so-called "pro-Palestinian" protestors against Jews and the supporters of Israel, rather than civil debate based on facts.
What is desperately needed is for the world to remember WHY Israel is in this war. Israel is fighting a vicious, bloodthirsty terrorist organization. Hamas’ stated aim is NOT a two-state solution, but the extinction of the state of Israel and murder of Jews.
On October 7th, Hamas and Jihad raped, mutilated and murdered innocent people without provocation from Israel. They have also used sexual violence as a tactic on October 7th and the testimony of freed women hostages confirms they do this against the captive women. There are still 130 hostages in their hands. The 2 male hostages that the IDF freed in a raid on Rafah this last week were emaciated and never given the medication that Israel transferred for the hostages through the Red Cross. Some of the civilians they murdered on October 7th -- their bodies were taken back to Gaza. The IDF has intelligence that they would find bodies of hostages killed by the terrorists in the Nassar Hospital in Gaza where Hamas held hostages.
The IDF has found in Gaza the following that has been confirmed by journalists and intelligence bodies, including the US. Under the ground are hundreds of miles of tunnels used to build, train, and launch attacks on Israel. Mosques, schools, hospitals, residences, and even cemeteries have been used as military installations by the terrorists. Much of the aid the world has sent them for civilian use has been diverted to Hamas and its sophisticated underground arsenal of rockets, etc. The funding for this also came from Iran and Qatar, among others.
What do you think the US would do if a neighboring terrorist state committed the acts of October 7th? Would we leave them power to do it again?
Anyone who is really concerned about humanitarianism should first insist that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad immediately release ALL hostages. As to ceasefires, Hamas has broken every single past ceasefire, a total of 12 since Hamas took power in Gaza. And the 13th – and last – ceasefire has been broken as well by Hamas (by reneging on the hostage deal). During the 2014 Gaza war, Hamas used these ceasefires to attack, murder and kidnap Israelis and launch barrages of missiles at Israel. Leaving Hamas in place as rulers of Gaza with a ceasefire is what Hamas has “offered”. Also, they want the release of Palestinians who have convicted of murdering Israelis. This approach simply invites another terrible October 7th again and again and again.
The “pro-Hamas” protestors claim genocide by the IDF against Palestinians. Nations engaged in genocide do not go to great lengths to reduce civilian casualties, including placing their own soldiers at heightened risk by employing ground forces instead of relying exclusively on air and sea bombardments. Additionally, claims that Israel is intentionally targeting civilians in Gaza have been refuted by a plethora of reliable US intelligence sources, notably White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.
Regrettably while the death toll in Gaza is high, the Hamas controlled and manipulated Gaza Health Authority has never confirmed what percentage are terrorists. At this time, at least 10,000-12000 were terrorists killed in battle. Instead, they issue totally unsubstantiated statements that tens of thousands of women and children have been killed. And keeping civilians at gunpoint in targeted areas for use as human shields is a standard procedure by Hamas to create despicable world-wide publicity, at the cost of its own citizens' lives. This claim of genocide is flatly antisemitic and warps the truth of the Holocaust of Jews.
When Israel became a nation in 1948, the Arab world reacted in fury. 350,000 Jews who lived for many, many centuries in peace in the Middle East became targets in these Arab states. All of them had to emigrate to Israel. Israel itself is a diverse population of Jews, Arabs, Druze, Christians, and Bedouins. Fundamentally what is under the specious claims of the protestors is the denial of the right of Jews to their own homeland. where they can find a life safe from persecution. Israel has the right to exist!
Consider this action carefully and certainly don't allow it to be simply consented to. Many municipalities have rejected this kind of resolution. on the basis of it being completely slanted and creating a hostile environment in the community.
Thank you for what you do in public service.
Regards,
Emily Freeman