We, the undersigned residents and concerned individuals of Portland call upon the City Council to take immediate and decisive action in addressing the ongoing crisis in Occupied Palestine. Building upon the admirable example set by other progressive cities, we urgently seek your support in advocating for a ceasefire and an end to the grave human rights violations occurring in Gaza.

Background:

The urgency of our plea is underscored by recognizing the historical backdrop of the Nakba, which refers to the forced displacement and dispossession of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians during and after the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. As we advocate for the immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid, we also call for the acknowledgment of the longstanding trauma endured by the Palestinian people.

The situation in Occupied Palestine demands urgent attention and intervention. Israeli Occupying Forces have engaged in a relentless assault since October 7, 2023, resulting in the death and injury of tens of thousands of Palestinians, including a significant number of women and children. The unabated bombing of hospitals, residences, UN refugee centers, schools, places of worship, and escape routes by Israeli forces has led to a humanitarian catastrophe.

South Africa's ICJ Complaint:

South Africa has taken a bold step by filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) under the Genocide Convention, highlighting the genocidal character of Israel's actions. We commend this initiative and believe it sets a crucial precedent for international accountability.

Our Call to Action:

We implore the Portland City Council to follow in the footsteps of other cities and take a principled stance on this humanitarian crisis. We urge you to:

1) Publicly Declare Support for a Ceasefire: Issue a resolution affirming the City of Portland's support and solidarity with the Palestinian people and calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

2) Condemn Genocidal Actions: Denounce the acts of state terrorism committed by the Israeli government and assert the fundamental right of every individual to live in peace and security.

3) Oppose U.S. Military Aid to Israel: Publicly express opposition to all U.S. military aid to Israel, emphasizing that such aid contributes to the perpetuation of the conflict.

4) Call for Congressional Action: Urge local federal senators and representatives, including Senator Jeff Merkley (who has called for a cease-fire), Senator Ron Wyden, Representative Earl Blumenauer, Representative Suzanne Bonamici, Representative Andrea Salinas, and Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer, to support a permanent ceasefire and take a stand against further funding for the Israeli military.

5) Express Solidarity with Palestinians: Affirm solidarity with the Palestinian people who have endured decades of oppression under apartheid, occupation, and settler-colonialism. Commit to listening openly and honestly to the experiences of native Palestinians and Palestinian-Americans.

6) Sever Sister City Status with Ashkelon, Israel: Sister city relationships are established to foster industrial, economic, educational, and cultural exchanges. Our discontinuation of resources to Ashkelon supports the Palestinian fight for liberation and communicates our alignment with the end of settler colonialism. Portlanders do not consent to tax dollar support to the state of Israel. 

Conclusion:

In the spirit of justice and human rights, we request the Portland City Council take these urgent steps to address the crisis in Occupied Palestine. As constituents and concerned citizens, we believe that our city has a moral obligation to stand against injustice and promote a world rooted in radical compassion, equality, and respect for human rights. As our representatives, we urge you to stand with us.

Please sign this petition to demonstrate your support for immediate action by the Portland City Council and to join Richmond, Oakland, San Francisco, Long Beach, Seattle, and Detroit.

*** Are you a micro/small business owner interested in joining forces? If any business expresses interest in doing more than signing, we want to build a collective effort for a greater impact. 

Sign up with this link> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetqlcN5ZbotMzW3fXA8Ni5ORIkGvV27KiqUPyte5ADEpl1Bg/viewform