From:
To: City Council
Subject: Remove ceasefire resolution from consent calendar and do not approve it Date: Sunday, February 18, 2024 2:06:40 PM
Dear Sebastopol City Council,
Ceasefire resolutions/letters divert valuable time and resources that could be better utilized addressing real issues impacting the local community. Why are resolutions on this issue being considered but not on Russia’s unprovoked attacks on Ukraine that have caused homelessness and a great loss of human life? Hamas has siphoned foreign aid intended for its residents to build tunnels under homes and hospitals and intentionally puts the residents of Gaza in harm’s way. It has broken five previous ceasefires, including the one that was in place when it made the horrific attacks on October 7, and its leaders have publicly stated that it plans to break the next one and any that follow.
While supporters of such a resolution may believe they are acting in the best interests of the Palestinians, a ceasefire without guaranteeing the release of the hostages and a dismantling of the Hamas leadership condemns the Palestinians to more years of abuse by Hamas and the Israelis to continuing threats from an organization that calls for its destruction and murders its civilians.
I mourn for the loss of life and injuries in all of Israel and Gaza, but calling for a ceasefire without a full understanding of the issues only inflames the community. We must bring our community together – not pull ourselves apart.
Please reject any resolution calling for a ceasefire.
Betty Boyd