Easthampton, Massachusetts passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on April 3, 2024

WHEREAS, all life is precious, the Easthampton City Council calls on all Massachusetts state and federal elected leaders and residents alike to protect life, stand united against violence, and advocate for the safety, dignity, freedom, and collective humanity of all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or nationality; and

WHEREAS, this Council is horrified by Hamas' attack on civilians and Israeli military that resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths and around 250 people taken hostage on October, 7 2023; and

WHEREAS, since October 7, 2023, the Israeli government's offensive in Gaza including heavy bombardment of, and military incursions into, hospitals, schools, residential buildings, religious sites, and cultural institutions has killed over 32,490 people as of March 27, 2024-of which approximately two-thirds are women and children-and more than 74,889 have been wounded; and

WHEREAS, the City of Easthampton condemns the recent rise of antisemitic and Islamophobic attacks in our state, including Western Massachusetts and across the nation, including by taking actions such as passing a Resolution Against Antisemitism on November 15, 2023; and

WHEREAS, the International Court of Justice, of which the U.S. is a member state, has ruled that Israel must take steps to prevent genocide in Gaza, including indiscriminate killing of Palestinians and "deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;" and

WHEREAS, Gaza is in a dire humanitarian crisis with 1.8 million being displaced; food, clean water, medicine and medical care severely lacking; and U.N. agencies and international organizations reporting that hunger, disease, and malnutrition are widespread; and

WHEREAS, the Israeli military is threatening a ground campaign in Rafah, where 1.5 million Palestinians (mostly displaced and living in tents) have nowhere safe left to flee to; and

WHEREAS, U.S. tax dollars fund Israeli military operations, including $3.8 billion annually (in FY23 Easthampton taxpayers contributed $154,134 of that total according to the National Priorities Project) and an additional $14.1 billion is being proposed (at a cost to Easthampton taxpayers of an estimated $571,919 according to NPP); and

WHEREAS, sixty-six percent of American voters support a ceasefire, and want to see the U.S. leverage its diplomatic relationships "to prevent further violence and civilian deaths" according to an October Data For Progress poll; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Easthampton City Council calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; the provision of lifesaving humanitarian aid in Gaza; the release of all hostages and detainees on both sides; and an end to unconditional U.S. aid to the Israeli government.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Council urges the Biden Administration and the United States Congress to call for the same actions of an immediate and permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; the provision of lifesaving humanitarian aid in Gaza; the release of all hostages and detainees on both sides; and an end to unconditional U.S. aid to the Israeli government; and as a first step to a negotiated and lasting peaceful future for all Israelis and Palestinians.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to Congressman Richard Neal, Senator Edward Markey, and Senator Elizabeth Warren urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end the violence.