As Fairfax County residents, we are calling on our County Board of Supervisors to pass the following Ceasefire Resolution, calling for a full ceasefire in Gaza and release of all hostages in Palestine and Israel. Each day that passes brings unprecedented destruction to Gaza, with the Israeli military killing tens of thousands of Palestinians including children, and endangering the lives of the Israeli hostages.

Our county holds a unique position as a human rights leader in our state and as a neighbor to Washington, D.C. 

We want our county to hold true to the One Fairfax policy, a declaration that all residents deserve an equitable opportunity to succeed regardless of their race, color, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, income or location of residence. 

This resolution is endorsed by:

Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN)

Irish Americans for Palestine

Jewish Voice for Peace - DC Metro

Jews Against White Supremacy DMV

Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) NoVA

Swing States for Peace

The resolution is as follows:

RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE and AN END TO VIOLENCE IN PALESTINE and ISRAEL

WHEREAS, the people of Fairfax County recognize that all human life is precious, and that the targeting of any civilian under any circumstance is a violation of international human-rights law; and

WHEREAS, we condemn the tragic loss of Israeli life on October 7th, and we also denounce the indiscriminate retaliation by the state of Israel, enacting collective punishment on the people of Gaza; and

WHEREAS, Palestine and Israel have already experienced tremendous loss of life, displacement, and violence, and hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk;

WHEREAS, Fairfax County celebrates all of our residents including our Arab, Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian residents and has a longstanding tradition of being a welcoming county for refugees and understanding the challenges faced by those displaced by conflict,

WHEREAS, on October 26th, the United Nations General Assembly, in a near unanimous vote, called for an immediate and sustained humanitarian ceasefire and hostage release; and

WHEREAS, the United States Federal Government holds immense diplomatic and appropriations powers to save Palestinian and Israeli lives; and

WHEREAS, to date, over 100 U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Durham, Harrisonburg, San Francisco, Seattle, and Charlottesville, VA have adopted resolutions urgently calling for a ceasefire in Palestine and Israel; and

WHEREAS, the billions spent in United States funding for this conflict could be allocated toward mitigating crises in our own community, including the funding of affordable housing, public health, job training, healthcare, and education;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Fairfax County urges the Biden administration and all elected officials in the United States Senate and House of Representatives who represent this community to call for and make all efforts to facilitate:

1. an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Palestine and Israel;

2. the immediate and safe release of all Palestinian and Israeli hostages in Palestine and Israel; and

3. the immediate entry and provision of humanitarian aid needed for the people of Gaza, at the scale required to save the maximum number of lives.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Fairfax County values the harmony that exists in our diverse community, and advocates for the dignity and safety of all residents, regardless of religion, race, or nation of origin; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Fairfax County asks the county Clerk that copies of this Resolution be quickly forwarded to the President of the United States, Joe Biden; Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner; Representative Gerry Connelly, Representative Don Beyer, and Representative Jennifer Wexton.