TAKE ACTION: City Council Meeting 5/8/24 takes up ceasefire resolution

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TAKE ACTION:

The Santa Fe City Council, in a misguided attempt to pass a “feel good” resolution, has proposed a ceasefire resolution (reproduced at the end of this posting) that will be discussed tomorrow night, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

  1. Attend the City Council meeting tomorrow, starting at 5:00 pm.  The JCRC will gather at 4:30 at the corner of Marcy and Lincoln to move to the Council chambers.
  2. Write to the Mayor and City Councilors in opposition to a Ceasefire resolution associated with foreign policy, and especially this resolution that is deficient in so many ways (see below).  “Talking points” are below.  You can find your councilors’ contact information (email and phone) here.  The Mayor can be reached at 505-955-6590 or mayor@santafenm.gov.

Background / Talking Points:

The resolution is deficient in many ways.  Here is how the Jewish Community Relations Coalition critiqued the resolution and expressed its opposition to the City Council on May 1:

  • Per NMSA § 3-17-1 (1978), the War between the State of Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza is not a municipal issue for the city council to address. It will take time and energy away from the conduct of the city’s business and the many significant needs of Santa Fe residents.

  • Throughout the country, these essenLally performaLve local government ceasefire resolutions relating to a war thousands of miles away, have been a magnet for hate and division. These resolutions ignore that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was in place on October 6th and that this ceasefire was unilaterally violated by Hamas. These resolutions refuse to condemn or even mention Hamas, whitewash the worst atrocities against Jews since the Holocaust and have fueled the normalization of antisemitism. They have made Jews and Jewish communities less safe while having no actual impact on the resolution of the conflict.

  • The proposed resolution creates a false moral equivalency between Hamas’ intentional and systematic massacre, rape and abduction of innocent civilians on October 7th and Israel’s military response to that terrorist organization’s largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.

  • The resolution’s equation of the civilian hostages abducted on October 7th to Hamas militants captured during the war is another example of this false moral equivalency. The resoluVon also fails to disVnguish between Hamas militants and innocent Gazans.

  • The resolution fails to support a negotiated ceasefire that ensures the release of the Israeli, American and other foreign nationals taken hostage on October 7th and the return of the remains of deceased hostages to their families.

  • According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), New Mexico experienced a nearly 280% increase in anL-Jewish incidents from 2022 to 2023. ADL projects yet another record increase this year. As such, it is imperaLve that opinions on Israel or its government not be used as justification for hate, harassment or violence against Jews. We believe that the resolution as currently written fails to adequately address this critically important principle and will further demonize Israel and her supporters in the Jewish community of Santa Fe.

These are all important points.  We’d also add:

  1. No one on the City Council has any foreign policy experience.  They have no standing to pontificate on the Hamas’ caused war.
  2. The City Council in the past has passed “feel good” resolutions against the Iraq War and against possible war with Iran that did nothing to change the course of either of the conflicts, and was cause for ridicule around the nation.
  3. Finally, the resolution was not negotiated with the mainstream Jewish community.  This is deeply disappointing given that our Mayor is a member of that community.

Here’s the resolution:

CITY OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO RESOLUTION NO. 2024-__ INTRODUCED BY:

Councilor Alma Castro, Councilor Pilar Faulkner, Councilor Jamie Cassutt, Mayor Alan Webber

A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE NEW MEXICO CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ADVOCATE FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE AND AN END TO VIOLENCE IN GAZA AND ISRAEL, FOR THE SAFE AND IMMEDIATE RETURN OF ALL INNOCENT HOSTAGES AND UNJUSTLY HELD PRISONERS, FOR THE IMMEDIATE INCREASE AND DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO GAZA; CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION, INCLUDING ISLAMOPHOBIA, ANTI-SEMITISM, ANTI-PALESTINIAN, AND ANTI-ISRAELI BIGOTRY; ENCOURAGING ALL RESIDENTS TO SEEK, INVITE, AND PRACTICE CIVIL DISCOURSE; EXPRESSING SORROW OVER THE LOSS OF LIVES AND OVER THE SUFFERING ENDURED BY CIVILIANS IN GAZA AND ISRAEL; AND EXTENDING SYMPATHIES TO SANTA FE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE ON-GOING VIOLENCE.

WHEREAS, The City of Santa Fe stands committed to the universal truth that all human life is precious, no matter a person’s faith, ethnicity, culture, ability, or political or religious affiliations, and that every human being deserves to live a life of peace and dignity; and

WHEREAS, recent and ongoing armed violence against the Palestinian and Israeli people has resulted in the tragic loss of life of Palestinians and Israelis and injuries to many more innocent people on all sides; and

WHEREAS, Palestine and Israel both have a right to nationhood, and both peoples should have all the rights and responsibilities of an independent nation, including full democratic and equal rights and religious freedoms; and

WHEREAS, there are a growing number of people on all sides of this tragic conflict who are calling for a ceasefire and new direction, engagement, and negotiations to lead to peace; and

WHEREAS, the United States Government holds immense diplomatic power that could save Palestinian and Israeli lives; and

WHEREAS, the continued violence against the Palestinian and Israeli people and the rising Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and bigotry across the United States and the world deeply impacts the people in our culturally diverse community in Santa Fe, many of whom have direct ties to the Israeli and Palestinian region and peoples; and

WHEREAS, Santa Fe is the City of Holy Faith and strives to uphold the pursuit of peace and dignity for all people, both within our community and across the world; and

WHEREAS, the Governing Body is united in protecting city of Santa Fe residents against acts of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, as well as against hate crimes toward people of all faiths and religions, including our Arab, Jewish, and Muslim residents; and

WHEREAS, the City of Santa Fe (“City”) recognizes the importance of the First Amendment and the fundamental tenets of respect, dignity, and thoughtful civil discourse that are hallmarks of this community, upholding the value of our residents expressing and listening to differing opinions and points of view, especially on subjects where there is disagreement; and

WHEREAS, conflict among ourselves and among our community members can either exacerbate divisions or, if we are willing to engage with each other in difficult and important dialogues, can open doors to opportunities to find solutions that allow us to move forward as one community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF SANTA FE calls on the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to advocate for the following actions with regard to the conflict in Gaza and Israel:

(1) Call urgently for an immediate ceasefire and an end to violence in the region, and the safe and immediate return of all innocent hostages and unjustly held prisoners; and

(2) Immediately increasing and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance, including fuel, water, food, medical supplies, and medical personnel into Gaza to alleviate the massive suffering there quickly and effectively.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Santa Fe condemns all forms of discrimination, including Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and anti-Palestinian and anti-Israeli bigotry.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governing Body, comprised of leaders of this community, encourages all residents to embody the values of this City, by seeking, inviting, and practicing civil discourse, especially when we disagree, to strengthen our ties as a diverse, multicultural, and welcoming community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon adoption, the City Clerk shall forward this Resolution to the Office of the United States President and the New Mexico Congressional delegation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, on behalf of the City, the Governing Body expresses its immense sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and the suffering endured by civilians in Gaza, Israel, and the broader region, and extends deepest sympathies to Santa Fe residents who have been directly impacted by the ongoing violence in any way, including the loss of loved ones.

PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED this ______day of ___________, 2024.

________________________ ALAN WEBBER, MAYOR

ATTEST:

_______________________________ GERALYN F. CARDENAS, INTERIM CITY CLERK

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Erin McSherry

Erin McSherry (Apr 19, 2024 13:34 EDT) _________________________________ ERIN K. McSHERRY, CITY ATTORNEY

Legislation/2024/Resolutions/Ceasefire in Gaza