Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee passed a CEASEFIRE resolution on March 2, 2024
WHEREAS, the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee recognizes that all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians is a violation of international humanitarian law; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2023 “Hamas and other armed groups present in the Gaza Strip carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,200 persons, injuring thousands, and abducting some 240 people, many of whom continue to be held hostage. Following this attack, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza, by land, air, and sea, which is causing massive civilian casualties, extensive destruction of civilian infrastructure and the displacement of the overwhelming majority of the population in Gaza…. While figures relating to the Gaza Strip cannot be independently verified, recent information indicates that 25,700 Palestinians have been killed, over 63,000 injuries have been reported, over 360,000 housing units have been destroyed or partially damaged and approximately 1.7 million have been internally displaced …. ”; (International Court of Justice, 26 January, 2024, Order);
WHEREAS, Article Ⅱ of the Genocide Convention provides that “genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group….” and, further, Article Ⅲ of the Convention that provides that “complicity in genocide” is prohibited and punishable;
WHEREAS, section 502B(c) of the United States Foreign Assistance Act prohibits security assistance to any government, “which engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights”;
WHEREAS, the International Court of Justice in its Order on January 26, 2024 concluded “that at least some of the rights claimed by South Africa and for which it is seeking protection are plausible… [including] the right of the Palestinians in Gaza to be protected from acts of genocide and related prohibited acts identified in Article Ⅲ, and the right of South Africa to seek Israel’s compliance with the latter’s obligations under the Convention”;
WHEREAS, the International Court of Justice in its Order on January 26, 2024 “considers that the civilian population in the Gaza Strip remains extremely vulnerable…. And that the Prime Minister of Israel announced on 18 January, 2024 that the war “will take many more long months”. At present, many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have no access to the most basic foodstuffs, potable water, electricity, essential medicines or heating”;
WHEREAS, hostilities in the region have fueled a rise in bigotry and hate crimes against Arab, Muslim, Palestinian and Jewish residents in California and the U.S., and related hostilities are being escalated in other countries in the region, making us all increasingly unsafe; and
WHEREAS, the “human catastrophic situation” in Gaza is causing an expansion and escalation of regional war and could ultimately lead to a world war;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee formally demands Congress and the US President take urgent action to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza strip;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee stands for the United States to act decisively in calling for the unrestricted supply of food, water, fuel and medicine into the Gaza strip;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Humboldt County Democratic Central Committee calls for the US President to resume negotiations for the release of all hostages, both Israeli and Palestinian;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, we urge policymakers and the White House to take all measures to avoid complicity in acts of genocide and hereby halt all US military aid to Israel until
Israel submits a report on all measures as required by the International Criminal Court, and
Congress makes a determination that we are in compliance with section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler, U.S. President Joe Biden, and U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, urging them to take immediate action to use their position and influence to end violence.