From:
To: City Council
Subject: Ceasefire resolution amendment
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024 8:00:45 PM
I strongly support the Sebastopol City Council adopting a ceasefire resolution. However, the ceasefire resolution in its present form is counterproductive, and actively hinders humanitarian efforts as well as peacemaking actions.
Please correct the critical omissions in the proposed resolution by adding the following:
1)Hamas must immediately free all hostages. Credible evidence, including testimony from freed hostages as well as captured Hamas operatives, has left no doubt that Israeli captives are being beaten, and sexually assaulted on a regular basis. Old men, women, children, and babies are being terrorized underground in a seemingly perpetual darkness that has lasted for months. To not insist that Palestinians stop their violence against their Israeli captives, while demanding that Israel stop its attacks against Palestinians, makes a mockery of the compassionate instincts that must guide any plea for peace. 2) Hamas must disarm. Hamas has initiated 5 wars against Israel in the last 15 years. Its leaders have promised eternal warfare against Israel until every Israeli is dead. To leave Hamas in place is to condemn Palestinians and Israelis to an endless cycle of violence and misery. Qatari, Palestinian National Authority, European Union, United States, Japan, and other Arab countries have asked Hamas to disarm. We can do no less.
As Yitzhak Rabin once said, “Enough of blood and tears. Enough!” I look forward to you passing an amended version of the ceasefire resolution.
William Finn
Sonoma County Resident