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CITY ATTORNEY <br />Sonia R. Carvalho <br />INTERIM CITY MANAGER <br />Tom Hatch <br />CITY CLERK <br />Jennifer L. Hall <br />20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 <br />TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org <br />Councilmember-Requested Item Report <br />DATE <br />March 5, 2024 <br />TOPIC <br />Ceasefire Resolution <br />COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE <br />Santa Ana City Council to call in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. <br />DISCUSSION <br />In light of the recent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, this resolution calls for the City Council of <br />Santa Ana to voice their humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza, where we have seen the <br />death toll reach record numbers. On October 7, we witnessed an unprecedented attack from <br />Hamas, killing over 1,200 Israeli citizens. Since then, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed over <br />25,000 innocent Palestinian civilians, more than half of them children, and humanitarian aid is <br />running low, including food, water, electricity, and medical supplies. <br /> <br />We want to voice our support for an immediate ceasefire resolution, where the state of Israel <br />declares a permanent ceasefire over Gaza, letting Palestinian civilians grieve, mourn, and <br />rebuild what they have lost over the past 121 days and counting. <br /> <br />International affairs impact families locally. California is home to over 29,000 people of <br />Palestinian descent; Palestinian history is part of the fabric of our city. Alex Odeh, a Palestinian <br />social justice activist, was assassinated in 1985 at his office in Santa Ana. The FBI classified the <br />bombing as an act of domestic terrorism, yet over 30 years later, no justice has been served for <br />his case. Mr. Odeh fought tirelessly to build inter-faith unity between Jews, Muslims, and <br />Christians in Southern California. <br />The City of Santa Ana condemns the recent rise of anti-Arab, Islamophobic, Antisemitic, racist, <br />homophobic, and xenophobic attacks in our city and across the nation. It will identify programs <br />to combat hate, create healing spaces, and foster understanding. <br />As public servants and champions of public policy, we stand for liberation for all people and in <br />solidarity with our Palestinian community. We are responsible for calling out all acts of injustice <br />in all communities. We join four cities in Southern California, Cudahy, Long Beach, Pomona, <br />and Montebello, calling for support for an immediate ceasefire. <br />SUBMITTED BY <br />Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez