Text of Proposed City of Santa Monica Resolution Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA

SUPPORTING THE RESUMPTION OF A NEGOTIATED BILATERAL CEASEFIRE IN

GAZA AND REITERATING ITS CONDEMNATION OF ALL ANTI-SEMITISM, ANTIARAB RACISM, ISLAMOPHOBIA, AND ALL FORMS OF HATE AND INCITEMENT TO

VIOLENCE

WHEREAS, the horrific slaughter of Israeli civilians perpetrated by Hamas on

October 7, 2023, was the largest mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust, and 240 Israeli civilians were taken as hostages; and

WHEREAS, in response, the ongoing war in Gaza has exacted a catastrophic toll of tens of thousands of civilian Palestinian deaths – including children, medical workers, and journalists; and

WHEREAS, Gaza’s widespread destruction has created an urgent humanitarian

crisis that must end; and

WHEREAS, further shedding of blood in Gaza and the infliction of more pain and anguish will not bring peace and security to either Palestinians or Israelis, and cycles ofviolence and retribution in Israel and the Palestinian territories for the better part of a

century cannot be broken with more of the same; and

WHEREAS, we support those forces in Israel and in Palestine that seek a different future for themselves—a democratic future where Israelis and Palestinians both can live in dignity and with self-determination and security for all; and

WHEREAS, more than 100 U.S. cities have called for a ceasefire, and President Biden and Vice President Harris are actively working towards a negotiated ceasefire.

2

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA

DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City of Santa Monica supports the resumption of a negotiated bilateral ceasefire, which must include humanitarian aid for the immediate provision of desperately needed food, water, medical care, clothing and emergency shelter to Palestinians, the end of Hamas’s rule in Gaza, due process for all prisoners, and the immediate release of the remaining 132 Israeli hostages taken by Hamas.

SECTION 2. The City of Santa Monica is appalled by the acts of violence, vandalism and intimidation against the Palestinian and Jewish diaspora in the United States, and reiterates its condemnation of all antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate and incitement to violence.

SECTION 3. A copy of this Resolution be sent to the offices of U.S. Representative Ted Lieu, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla.

SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution, and thenceforth and thereafter the same shall be in full force and effect.

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

_________________________

Doug Sloan, City Attorney