As dozens of Carrboro residents spoke of their concern for the safety of children in Gaza, Carrboro Town Council calls on Congresswoman Valerie Foushee to sign a resolution calling for ceasefire.
CARRBORO, NC (November 15, 2023) — On Tuesday evening, the Carrboro Town Council became the first municipality in North Carolina and one of the first in the country to call for a ceasefire in Israel/Palestine.
As the Israeli siege of Gaza enters its fifth week, Carrboro Town Council resolved, “whereas the Federal Government holds immense diplomatic and appropriations powers to save Israeli and Palestinian lives… the Town of Carrboro calls upon our US 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 cease-fire 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 north and south Gaza.”
“I’m so proud of my neighbors in Carrboro who came to Town Council and spoke in support of a ceasefire. It was deeply moving as well as a beautiful expression of solidarity to hear neighbors speak about the many ways the liberation of Palestine intersects with their own identities as Jewish, disabled, or queer; as medical providers, veterans, or parents— the list goes on and on,” said Harry Hoy, a resident of Carrboro. “I’m grateful and proud that Carrboro did its part in making a ripple that will hopefully soon be a wave of support for a ceasefire.”
Representative Valerie Foushee, who represents Orange County in US Congress, has stated that Israel “must [defend itself] without violating humanitarian law by targeting innocent civilians as a part of any military campaign.” Yet she has thus far refused to sign on to HR 786, “Calling for an immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.” As pressure is mounting across the country for the US to intervene, Representative Alma Adams of North Carolina’s 12th district has signed on to the resolution.
Since October 7th, the Israeli military has bombed Gaza indiscriminately, targeting hospitals, homes, and places of worship while Gaza remains under total siege. This week, Palestinian doctors and nurses rushed to save patients on ventilators and babies in incubators as the Israeli military launched an assault on Al-Shifa Hospital. At this point, the Gaza Health Ministry has reported that over 11,300 Palestinians have been killed, and over 1 million Gazans have been displaced, with the average age of those killed just 5 years old. These numbers continue to rise as the Israeli ground offensive unfolds. Meanwhile, the United States continues to send military aid and troops to the area.
Israel has openly stated an intention to commit mass atrocities and even genocide, with Prime Minister Netanyahu saying the Israeli offensive will “reverberate for generations.” President Biden has committed unwavering support for Israel’s war crimes.
Many of the Carrboro residents who showed up to speak in favor of ceasefire were members of Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle NC Chapter. The attendees wore T-shirts reading “Not in Our Name” and “Jews say Ceasefire Now!”
“Carrboro and the Triangle are home to a thriving Jewish community that is deeply rooted in North Carolina,” said Ace Turch, a resident of Carrboro. “We welcome babies into this community, observe Jewish holidays, and hold regular spiritual and social gatherings – all in the name of a Judaism that calls for justice for all people, in all lands. Right now, our community is calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.”
We as American Jews believe that never again means never again for anyone, and that includes Palestinians. Never again is this very moment.
Full text of the resolution passed:
Resolution calling for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and 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, between October 7 and November 13, 2023, armed violence has claimed the lives of over 11,000 Palestinians and over 1,400 Israelis, including Americans, and wounded thousands more;
WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of lives are at imminent risk if a cease-fire is not achieved and humanitarian aid is not delivered without delay; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Government holds immense diplomatic and appropriations powers to save Israeli and Palestinian lives;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Carrboro calls upon our US 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 cease-fire 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 north and south Gaza.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Town of Carrboro supports all of its Muslim and Jewish residents and condemns islamophobia and antisemitism.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Carrboro Town Council asks the Town Clerk that copies of this resolution be quickly forwarded to the President of the United States and Carrboro’s congressional delegation.
Visuals attached include: photographs of 11/14 Carrboro city council meeting
Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle NC 