Hoboken City Council Ceasefire Resolution

Hoboken City Council

Residents of Hoboken,

PLEASE URGE HOBOKEN’S CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT AND PASS A CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION FOR GAZA

On February 14, Valentines Day, Hoboken stood up to call for a permanent ceasefire with 200 residents turning out to Rally for Peace in front of City Hall, joining the national calls of millions of others demanding an end to the U.S. funded destruction in Gaza and a cessation of hostilities to expedite the return of all hostages.  At a Public City Council meeting, on February 21st, numerous residents passionately spoke of the urgent need for our elected officials to take a stance on the illegal bombing of the Palestinian population and infrastructure, the indiscriminate killing and mass displacement of innocent civilians, the targeting of healthcare and aid workers, and the elimination of entire extended families, women and young children suffering the greatest losses and injuries. The response from our Mayor and City: SILENCE!

Finally, on March 5th, one day before the next Public Meeting date, the City Council responded by sending a tepid statement to the community at large, opposing the idea of adopting a ceasefire resolution and ignoring their constituents and the majority view across all demographics and parties.  Instead, they expressed the sentiment that they "want to ensure Hoboken remains a safe and welcoming place for all.” Certainly, this is a view that we are all committed to, yet it does nothing to stop the destruction being perpetrated in our names, or to free the hostages taken from Israel who are suffering greatly.

Following the City Council’s  March 5th statement that we as a city "embrace and celebrate our differences while fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding,” a large and diverse group of Hoboken residents of all ages and backgrounds addressed the City Council the next day, March 6, specifically asking how elected officials in this kind and inclusive environment could remain silent as Palestinians in Northern Gaza starve to death, and 1.5 million Gazans remain bottlenecked in Rafah with little to no food, shelter, healthcare, or clean water, under bombing campaigns both armed and funded directly by the US. In addition, the US has unjustly cut off all financial support to UNRWA

We want to ramp up the pressure on our elected officials so that we can amplify our voices to President Biden. Union City, Weehawken and North Bergen have adopted ceasefire resolutions.

Hoboken can too.

Please sign this petition which demands that our city council pass this permanent ceasefire resolution which calls for: a permanent ceasefire, a release of all hostages, a cessation of unconditional US military funding, an unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza and the reinstatement of US funding of UNRWA

Sponsored by
Ceasefirenownj
Ceasefire Now NJ
Jersey City, NJ

To: Hoboken City Council
From: [Your Name]

Council members,

Hoboken calls for peace.

Resolution of the City of Hoboken N.J.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES, A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE, PREVENTING ADDITIONAL LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE, AND REQUIRING THE UNINTERRUPTED ENTRY OF HUMANITARIAN AID INTO GAZA.

WHEREAS the Municipal Council of the City of Hoboken works to ensure the safety, health, dignity, and freedom of people every day; and

WHEREAS the Municipal Council of the City of Hoboken has historically commented on issues of national and international interest, especially when they impact constituents, and having observed the conflict for over more than five months, now recognizes its urgent duty to join other Hudson County municipalities who have called for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and immediate uninterrupted entry of humanitarian aid to the region; and

WHEREAS the Municipal Council of the City of Hoboken notes their role in influencing county, state, and federal leaders who currently make policy that impacts both the near and long-term wellbeing of Israeli and Palestinian citizens, especially those primarily endangered in the current conflict; and

WHEREAS: On October 7, 2023, over 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians, were brutally killed in an attack carried out by Hamas in Israel, and 240 hostages, including children, were taken and held captive by Hamas; and

WHEREAS: Since October 7th, more than 31,000 Palestinians, including over 12,300 children, have been killed in Gaza by Israeli military action, more than 72,600 Palestinians have been injured, and another 8,000 plus Palestinians are missing; and

WHEREAS, the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a source of immense suffering for both peoples; and

WHEREAS all human life is precious, and the recent hostilities in Gaza are resulting in a massive loss of innocent civilian life, extensive devastation to the majority of Gazan infrastructure, preventable famine threatening imminent, deadly impact for millions of Palestinians, roughly half of whom are children, with child starvation deaths already representing the bulk of rapidly increasing famine-related deaths thus far, the recent death by starvation of a 10-year-old boy with special needs serving as an example; and

WHEREAS Hundreds of thousands of lives remain at imminent risk due to the continued aggression and related deterioration of humanitarian conditions; and

WHEREAS it is important to protect the rights, safety, and security of all people, including those in Palestine and Israel, and the recent and ongoing hostilities in Gaza and the West Bank create conditions that endanger all in the region, and set hope for a lasting security and peace for Israelis and Palestinians back decades; and

WHEREAS at least 100 of the hostages taken by Hamas from Israel still remain in captivity in Gaza, their lives further endangered by the continued bombardment of areas where they may be held, and stalled negotiations complicated by the lack of a permanent ceasefire and continued aggression. Of gravest concern are the elderly, sick and injured, and the two remaining children being held captive, ages 1 and 4; and

WHEREAS If a ceasefire is not achieved and humanitarian aid is not delivered to Gaza without delay, and the risk of regional and global escalation increases daily, and will be detrimental to the security of both Israelis and Palestinians for years to come; and

WHEREAS we recognize the right to self-determination and peaceful, safe futures for both Palestinians and Israelis; and

WHEREAS the United States holds immense power through diplomatic, economic and political measures to save Israeli and Palestinian lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Municipal Council of the City of Hoboken that the Council:

(1) calls upon the US administration to immediately demand and facilitate de-escalation of the military conflict and a permanent ceasefire to end the current violence, including the cessation of unconditional military funding as well as the immediate release of all hostages; and

(2) calls upon the US administration to promptly send humanitarian assistance into Gaza, reinstate funding to UNWRA, and to facilitate the unimpeded entry of such assistance.