From:
Subject: Jewish resident pleading for a ceasefire resolution! Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024 3:52:05 PM
Esteemed City Council Members,
My name is Aviva Lipkowitz, and I am one of your Jewish constituents in Sebastopol. I am emailing in support of the proposed ceasefire resolution, and implore you to vote YES! I am devastated by this war, and I am tired of begging my representatives to stand up against US funding and support for Israeli military atrocities, only to be ignored. Your Jewish constituents have been organizing since October 7th, and even before, in support of the safety, dignity, and liberty of Palestinians. Meanwhile our tax dollars have gone toward unspeakable horrors. I know not everyone’s social media feed looks like mine, but what I have seen is a nightmare. I have no doubt we will collectively look back at this time, and wonder how we let this happen.
I have no doubt we will recognize it as extermination.
People ask why a small town should have anything to say about international politics. First, there are Palestinians in our small town who are watching their families and communities be decimated—that makes it a local issue. Second, we, your constituents, and you yourself, are funding the atrocities. Our literal money is paying for those literal bombs and aircraft. That makes it a local issue. Third, our national representatives aren’t listening to us! We are begging you to be our voice! Please stand up for peace, for humanity, for dignity, for protecting children. Please.
We can’t do this on our own.
I recognize that this is a difficult decision. Many people are in opposition to this resolution. There is a lot of fear in the air, and I feel empathy for those residents who are caught in the middle of that, especially other Jewish residents who also live in the shadow of their family’s trauma. But this resolution does not endanger or promote violence towards anybody, internationally or locally. This resolution promotes peace. Peace unites us, it doesn't divide us.
War divides us.
I implore you to do the right thing and take a stand for the peace and dignity of all innocent civilians, in both Israel and Palestine. Please consider voting in support of this resolution at the next meeting.
Sincerely,
Aviva Lipkowitz