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Similarly, do not use the word "genocide" lightly and loosely, without evidence. It is a hideous — unfounded — <br />accusation. <br />The proposed Resolution raises the issue of increased violence in the West Bank. Again, it abrogates <br />responsibility in not mentioning Palestinian �Tiolence and the killing of Israelis in Israel. Nor does it mention <br />how many Palestinian deaths resulted from Palestinian -initiated firefights during legal arrests of suspected <br />terrorists. Nor does it place any responsibility on Hamas, only on Israel. <br />The proposed Resolution begins a turn toward a truly humanitarian vision when it affirms that "we mourn the <br />loss of all civilian lives...." However, it returns to unfounded one-sided blame: "throughout the decades of <br />displacement, occupation, oppression and blockade endured in Gaza and the West Bank." I have discussed the <br />blockade above. The rest of this assumes a bias which ignores history and international law in dismissing <br />decades of Israeli suffering from Palestinian aggression. At the very least, Gaza is not "occupied" (arguably, <br />neither is the West Bank). <br />Were this proposed Resolution aimed at peace, it would have my wholehearted support. Its rhetoric now <br />enflames the passions of hatred, and, in particular, of antisemitism. It will serve our communities — in need of <br />calm — with an influence to violence. Antisemitic incidents have been rising at alarming rates. The Santa Ana <br />City Council does not want to exacerbate this by contributing a public document voicing inaccuracies, using <br />extremely inflammatory rhetoric, creating misperceptions. The safety of myself and my family and my <br />community depend on your action. Yes, civil violence has increased in the West Bank and in Israel, 7500 miles <br />from Santa Ana. Let's make sure we don't contribute to that here. Let's contribute to peace. <br />Sincerely, <br />Martin Nakell <br />