Israel: Ceasefire and Arms Embargo

Adopted October 21, 2024, by a vote of 57 in favor, 3 opposed, and 2 abstentions.

WHEREAS, as healthcare workers, we mourn the loss of life everywhere, regardless of nationality; and

WHEREAS, Palestinian trade unions have issued a statement (https://merip.org/2023/10/palestinian-trade-unions-call-for-an-end-to-arming-israel/) calling for unionists worldwide to pressure governments to stop military funding for Israel, to take action against companies involved in Israel’s brutal and illegal siege, and to pass motions in our unions to this effect;

WHEREAS, our union’s mission directs us to stand, unequivocally, against oppression, discrimination, prejudice, and bias of all forms through education and action; and

WHEREAS, we recognize the Islamophobia and antisemitism that exist in our own communities; recent abhorrent examples being the shootings of three Palestinian men, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid and Tahseen Ali Ahmad in Burlington on November 25th, 2023, and antisemitic graffiti and stickers in Brattleboro, Montpelier, Brownington, in Vermont.

WHEREAS, the Gaza Strip has had a healthcare system near the breaking point for decades. Home to millions of displaced Palestinians – half of whom are under 18 years old, the UN has long recognized the humanitarian crisis stemming from Israel’s occupation and siege of Gaza; and

WHEREAS, healthcare workers including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other medical and mental health personnel, have been disproportionately impacted by violence and have endured injury and death in the course of fulfilling their duties to patients and each other; and

WHEREAS, before the spring 2024 escalation in Gaza the UNICEF reported that more than 500,000 children already needed mental health and psychosocial support in the Gaza strip, and it now estimates this number has risen to more than a million, and

WHEREAS, according to reports provided by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and CNN, there have been over 300 attacks on healthcare facilities by Israeli bombers, and all 6 public community mental health centers have been forced to close. Already under severe pressure with the number of injured, hospitals are now being told to evacuate all of their patients, or face additional violence; and,

WHEREAS, we believe it is imperative that U.S. policymakers take measures to immediately de-escalate the violence to prevent the further loss of civilian life; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Howard Center Workers Union AFSCME 1674 calls for a CEASEFIRE and ARMS EMBARGO to prevent the further loss of life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFSCME 1674 denounces and resolves to stand against all acts of Islamophobia, anti-semitism and racism in our workplaces, our relationships and our communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFSCME 1674 calls for Vermont congressional delegation members to vote No on additional military aid to Israel on top of the billions in military aid to Israel that the House has already approved. Our congressional delegation must instead work to put funding towards the healthcare, housing, childcare, mental health care and resources our communities so desperately need, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFSCME 1674 calls on all parties to prioritize the protection of all civilians, including by restoring food, water, electricity, and internet in the Gaza strip, and urgently securing the safe entrance of humanitarian aid into Gaza in order to make possible the preservation of life and liberation of everyone held captive; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFSCME 1674 urges all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that AFSCME 1674 will send a copy of this resolution to AFSCME and AFL-CIO leadership, encouraging them to join the many union internationals who have already called for a ceasefire.

* * *

This proposal took inspiration from the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP) AFT Local 5017 Ceasefire Resolution (https://ofnhp.aft.org/news/ofnhp-endorses-ceasefire-gaza) as well as the UAW 2325 Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (ALAA) Ceasefire Resolution (https://www.alaa.org/media-releases/resolution-calling-for-a-ceasefire-in-gaza-an-end-to-the-israeli-occupation-of-palestine-and-support-for-workers-political-speech)

Other AFSCME statements & resolutions:
AFSCME 3578 (https://local3758.org)

AFSCME 88 (https://x.com/jamiep72061/status/1730300177863602234)

AFSCME 397 (https://dc47.org/local397/)

AFSCME DC 47 (https://dc47.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AFSCMEDC47-Ceasefire-Now-2024.pdf)

AFSCME 526 (https://fightbacknews.org/articles/milwaukee-AFSCME-local-526-stands-with-the-palestinian-people-against-genocide)

AFSCME 3299 (https://twitter.com/AFSCME3299/status/1729901333115707434)

AFSCME Council 28
(https://AFSCMEatwork.org/system/files/rsolution_2276_as_amended.pdf)

AFSCME 768 (https://www.local768.net/ceasefire)

AFSCME local 1215 (https://www.reddit.com/r/OrganizingLibraries/comments/185e8ss/AFSCME_local_1215_chicago_public_library_employee/)

AFSCME local 590 (https://dc47.org/local590/)