Agenda Item #11.1 Emma Hartug Received 02 22 2024.pdf1
Beth Minor
From:Emma Hartung <emmahartung@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, February 21, 2024 5:53 PM
To:Public Comments; All Council Members
Subject:EXTERNAL - Approve Item #11.1 Resolution Calling For A Permanent Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine
Public Comment (February 26)
Dear Gilroy City Councilmembers,
I'm writing as a local Jewish resident urging you to support Item 11.1, the Resolution Calling For A Permanent Ceasefire
in Israel and Palestine (Community Version).
I see it as my duty as a Jewish American and as an educator (formerly middle school, now college) to stand up
against genocide. I’ve spent the past five years working with undergraduates at Stanford, and like so many other
community members across the county, our students are not okay and will not be okay until a permanent ceasefire is
established. We have teenage students desperately fundraising to get their entire families out of Gaza. We have students
facing terrifying Islamophobic and anti-Palestinian anti-Arab anti-Muslim threats: I had one Palestinian student tell me that
they’ve switched from wearing hijab to wearing hoodies as a hair covering because they’re afraid of being targeted and
attacked. We have an Arab student deliberately targeted in a hate crime by a hit and run driver who is still recovering from
his injuries. We had a truck parked on campus with a sign in Arabic-only saying “we will shoot you if you approach.” These
students all have the support of their peers including Jewish students, but they cannot be students right now – they need
an immediate and permanent ceasefire to both save their family members’ lives and de-escalate this Islamophobic
rhetoric we’re seeing on the news and social media.
I have heard too many stories through friends and colleagues of bullying and harassment among younger students as
well. For example, at Christopher High School just a few weeks ago, students and residents are experiencing a rise in
targeted antisemitism and Islamophobia hate. Gilroy children and community are looking to our council members to show
true leadership and "Stand United Against Hate". What occurs internationally has a direct impact here.
A ceasefire resolution would demonstrate that our Gilroy city leaders recognize the horrific atrocities occurring in Gaza,
the extensive killing of innocent civilians, and the heartbreaking impact on local families. It sends a clear message to all
children and families in Gilroy that their leaders advocate for peace and against the killings of any innocent civilians rather
than remaining silent while mass killings continue to occur.
Please show the leadership we need by passing a ceasefire resolution to advocate for sustainable peace and an
immediate end to the killings of all innocent civilians and the release of all Palestinian and Israeli hostages. Please
immediately pass the Resolution Calling For A Permanent Ceasefire in Israel and Palestine (Community Version).
Sincerely,
Emma Hartung
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2/26/2024 Regular Meeting AGENDA ITEM #11.1