This City Council backs resolution calling for Israel-Hamas cease-fire. Here's what we know
The city of South Tucson has called for a cease-fire and immediate de-escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The City Council of South Tucson, which is an independent, incorporated city and an enclave within the city of Tucson, on March 5 voted 5-0 in favor of a cease-fire motion.
Mayor Paul Diaz and acting Mayor Rita Rogers abstained from the vote.
"I feel like we're a part of something bigger. Even though South Tucson is small, we have mighty voices. It feels good to represent my community right now," Councilmember Roxanna Valenzuela told The Arizona Republic.
It was believed to be the first city in Arizona to support such a resolution, according to its supporters.
Arizona politics: Rep. Ruben Gallego sides with White House in calling for cease-fire in Gaza
A rally by advocates supporting the cease-fire motion and Palestinian liberation was held at South Tucson City Hall before the council meeting. Activists with Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance, the Tucson Palestine Coalition and local chapters for Party for Socialism & Liberation and Jewish Voice for Peace promoted the event.
According to the city's meeting notice, the resolution requested that Arizona's congressional delegation support U.S. House Resolution 786, which calls for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.
The House resolution also calls for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.
"All human life is precious, and the targeting of civilians, no matter their faith or ethnicity, is a violation of international humanitarian law," the resolution introduced by Rep. Cory Bush, D-Mo., stated. "... between October 7 and October 16, 2023, armed violence has claimed the lives of over 2,700 Palestinians and over 1,400 Israelis, including Americans, and wounded thousands more."
As of Jan. 10, Israel Defense Forces reported 1,391 Israelis had been killed since the Oct. 7 attack. Hamas terrorists killed approximately 1,200 people that day, wounding thousands more and taking hostages — making it the deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust.
As of Feb. 29, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported that 30,035 Palestinians have been killed and 70,457 wounded in Israel's offensive since Oct. 7. The ministry's figures do not differentiate between combatants and civilians but said women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed.
None of the co-sponsors in the House resolution is from Arizona's delegation.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva's name is missing from the sponsor list, but the Arizona Democrat has long been critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, including voting against funding for Israel’s air rocket defense system in 2021, and he had raised humanitarian concerns about Israel’s plan to cut off most food, water, and fuel from the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.
Grijalva joined 23 other Democrats in a Nov. 15 letter addressed to President Joe Biden calling for a cease-fire and saying the U.S. needs a clearer strategy to de-escalate the conflict.
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Grijalva told The Arizona Republic that while he hadn't signed onto HR 876, he believes appealing directly to the Biden administration is a better approach.
Senate candidate and U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., joined the Biden administration’s call for an immediate cease-fire and called on Israel to facilitate swifter humanitarian aid to the Palestinians there.
“When it comes to Gaza, I of course want a cease-fire,” Gallego said Monday at a news conference at the state Capitol in Phoenix. “I’m heartened by what’s happening right now in terms of some of the conditions. I hope that Hamas will actually come to the table now and do that cease-fire.
In a social media post later that day, Gallego wrote that any cease-fire in Gaza must come with the release of hostages, a deal that hinges on Hamas accepting it.
According to an Instagram post celebrating South Tucson's resolution passing, the same advocacy groups plan to hold a similar rally outside Tucson City Hall and speak at an upcoming council meeting. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for March 19.
Republic reporters Ronald J. Hansen and Laura Gersony contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: South Tucson approves resolution for Israel-Hamas cease-fire