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Item # 18
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
March 5, 2024
TOPIC: Council Consideration of Ceasefire Resolution
AGENDA TITLE
Consideration of Ceasefire Resolution as Proposed Through Councilmember
Requested Item
POTENTIAL ACTION
Consideration of Ceasefire Resolution.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA AFFIRMING
SUPPORT FOR THE WORLDWIDE CALL FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
See Councilmember-Requested Item Report (Exhibit 1).
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Councilmember Requested Item Report
2. Resolution
Submitted By: Tom Hatch, Interim City Manager
Approved By: Tom Hatch, Interim City Manager
CITY ATTORNEY
Sonia R. Carvalho
INTERIM CITY MANAGER
Tom Hatch
CITY CLERK
Jennifer L. Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org
Councilmember-Requested Item Report
DATE
March 5, 2024
TOPIC
Ceasefire Resolution
COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE
Santa Ana City Council to call in support of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
DISCUSSION
In light of the recent humanitarian crisis in Gaza, this resolution calls for the City Council of
Santa Ana to voice their humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza, where we have seen the
death toll reach record numbers. On October 7, we witnessed an unprecedented attack from
Hamas, killing over 1,200 Israeli citizens. Since then, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed over
25,000 innocent Palestinian civilians, more than half of them children, and humanitarian aid is
running low, including food, water, electricity, and medical supplies.
We want to voice our support for an immediate ceasefire resolution, where the state of Israel
declares a permanent ceasefire over Gaza, letting Palestinian civilians grieve, mourn, and
rebuild what they have lost over the past 121 days and counting.
International affairs impact families locally. California is home to over 29,000 people of
Palestinian descent; Palestinian history is part of the fabric of our city. Alex Odeh, a Palestinian
social justice activist, was assassinated in 1985 at his office in Santa Ana. The FBI classified the
bombing as an act of domestic terrorism, yet over 30 years later, no justice has been served for
his case. Mr. Odeh fought tirelessly to build inter-faith unity between Jews, Muslims, and
Christians in Southern California.
The City of Santa Ana condemns the recent rise of anti-Arab, Islamophobic, Antisemitic, racist,
homophobic, and xenophobic attacks in our city and across the nation. It will identify programs
to combat hate, create healing spaces, and foster understanding.
As public servants and champions of public policy, we stand for liberation for all people and in
solidarity with our Palestinian community. We are responsible for calling out all acts of injustice
in all communities. We join four cities in Southern California, Cudahy, Long Beach, Pomona,
and Montebello, calling for support for an immediate ceasefire.
SUBMITTED BY
Councilmember Benjamin Vazquez
Resolution prepared by Councilmember Vazquez:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
AFFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE WORLDWIDE CALL FOR AN
IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana believes that all people regardless of race, color,
national origin, sex, and religion should be able to live in dignity, freedom, and equality
without fear of destruction; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana condemns the recent rise of Islamophobia,
Antisemitism, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic attacks in our city and across the
nation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana recognizes that a ceasefire, humanitarian aid and
good faith diplomacy must occur in order to save lives; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Ana stands for justice for all oppressed peoples.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, DETERMINED, AND ORDERED BY THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, AS FOLLOWS:
RESOLVED that the City of Santa Ana will identify and support local programs that
combat Islamophobia, Antisemitism, racism, homophobia and xenophobia; and
RESOLVED that the City of Santa Ana joins other cities in calling on our congress
members to demand: a permanent ceasefire; the release of all hostages and prisoners;
the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza; the restoration of food,
water, electricity, and medical supplies to Gaza; and respect for international law.