From:
To: City Council
Subject: From West County resident
Date: Friday, March 29, 2024 3:31:05 PM
To the City Council:
I am writing to once again oppose the resolution you have drafted regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
A permanent ceasefire which you call for will allow Hamas to retain control over Gaza, and to carry out their promises to repeat their atrocities again and again. Whether this is your intent or not, this is what you are endorsing in passing this resolution, because there was a permanent ceasefire in place on October 6. Hamas welcomed the American failure to veto a very similar resolution in the Security Council last week. Remember that what matters to minority communities is not the intent of language, but rather the impact felt by that community. (What also matters to minority communities is listening to those who represent the mainstream of their community, rather than tokenizing fringe extremist voices.) If you would simply remove the words "and permanent" regarding a ceasefire, note that such a ceasefire would require release of all hostages held by Hamas, and condemn Hamas' targeted attacks on civilians and widespread sexual violence, I would be happy to endorse such a resolution. And the response to those changes (from those who have been loudly demanding that you pass such a resolution) will be highly revealing as to the true agenda which many of them are promoting.
While I will be unable to make these comments during the meeting as I will be traveling, I hope that you consider them as carrying the same weight as if I were able to be present.
Michael Harris