HomeMy WebLinkAboutX-E-02 Cease Fire and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
City Council Memorandum
To: Mayor Fasbender & City Councilmembers
From: City Administrator Dan Wietecha
Date: January 16, 2024
Item: Cease Fire and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
Council Action Requested:
Consider a Resolution for Cease Fire and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza.
Background Information:
On January 5, 2024, we received a proposed resolution calling for a cease fire and humanitarian aid in
Gaza along with a list of names who supported a “change.org” petition. Per City Code section 31.03,
Councilmember Haus asked that this be included on the City Council agenda.
In its lobbying efforts, the City Council has generally utilized the legislative priorities set by the League
of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities (both organizations which the City is a member), as well as
supported its own applications for state bonding bill funding.
On October 2, 2023, the City Council held a workshop and discussed its approach to legislative support.
During the workshop, the City Council proposed a more active role in lobbying than in the past, to be
based in part on the LMC priorities of local interest, to include a written communications piece for talking
points with legislators, to attend the LMC City Day on the Hill (coming March 7, 2024). The City
Council also discussed the importance of linking legislative priorities to support the City’s strategic plan.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable
Commission Discussion:
Not applicable
Attachments:
Resolution: Cease Fire and Humanitarian Aid in Gaza
X-E-02
RESOLUTION FOR CEASE FIRE AND HUMANITARIAN AID IN GAZA
WHEREAS, all human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is
a violation of international humanitarian law;
WHEREAS, on October 26th, the United Nations General Assembly, in a near unanimous vote, called
for an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk if a ceasefire is not achieved, and
humanitarian aid is not delivered without delay; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government of the United States holds immense diplomatic and appropriations
powers to save Palestinian and Israeli lives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hastings, Minnesota calls upon our U.S.
Congressional delegation, both in the Senate and House of Representatives, to join us in –
1) urging the Biden administration to immediately call for and facilitate de-escalation and a ceasefire to
urgently end the current violence; and
2) calling upon the Biden administration to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian
assistance -at the scale needed- into Gaza.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Hastings, Minnesota supports all of its residents and
condemns all forms of racism, bigotry, and discrimination.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Hastings City Council asks city staff to quickly send copies of
this resolution to the President of the United States Joe Biden, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina
Smith and Congresswoman Angie Craig.
X-E-02