Resolution 2023-02 – Ceasefire

WHEREAS, on October 7th 2023, Hamas brutally attacked Israeli civilians, including children, without warning. 

WHEREAS, all parties to a non-international armed conflict are bound by customary international law in the conduct of hostilities, including the prohibition on indiscriminate attacks, the principle of proportionality, the principle of precaution, the principle of distinction between civilians and combatants, the principle of distinction between civilian objects and military objectives, and adequate provision of humanitarian relief,

WHEREAS, one party’s wrong acts in a conflict do not justify another party’s violations of International Humanitarian Law, 

WHEREAS, the United States purports to uphold the value of human rights and non-discrimination both at home and abroad,

WHEREAS, the platforms of the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Oregon also proclaim the Party’s commitment to the strengthening of and respect for human rights and recognize that compliance with International Humanitarian Law by all parties to a conflict is paramount,

WHEREAS, the platform of the Democratic Party of Oregon pledges and reaffirms support for the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which criminalizes war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, 

WHEREAS, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court is currently investigating the situation in Palestine and Israel for possible crimes committed by both sides,

WHEREAS, as of November 23, 2023, over 14,800 people, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, have been murdered in Gaza by the Israeli military since the start of Operation Swords of Iron, 

WHEREAS, 234,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged in Gaza, and 80% of the population of Gaza, over 1.8 million people, have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to the violence,

WHEREAS, Hamas uses Palestinian civilians including children as human shields in violation of International Humanitarian Law and denies civilians the full benefit of aid given to Gaza, 

WHEREAS, the United States has given over $130 billion in military assistance to Israel since 1948, averaging almost $4 billion per year, and the Biden administration is requesting another $14 billion in unfettered military aid to Israel, which includes 155mm artillery shells designed to be used offensively in bombs, inherently raising concerns that large numbers of civilians will be killed or injured when used in densely populated urban areas like the Gaza Strip,

WHEREAS, these actions by Israel violate fundamental principles of human rights and the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which the United States is founded upon,

WHEREAS, the United States has rightfully condemned the crimes committed by Hamas on October 7, 2023, including the taking of hostages, but has failed to condemn the equally unacceptable actions of Israel since then,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT that the Yamhill County Democrats 

CALL on both parties to this conflict to abide by and uphold International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.

CALL on the Democratic National Committee and the Democratic Party of Oregon to condemn the crimes committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians along with condemning the indiscriminate killings of civilians by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank following the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023,

CALL on the United States government, the Democratic National Committee, and the Democratic Party of Oregon to support a permanent ceasefire in the conflict, the immediate and safe return of all hostages, and the immediate provision of adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and

CALL on the United States government, the Democratic National Committee, and the Democratic Party of Oregon to support only peaceful, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Adopted November 30, 2023