Title
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AND PEACE, AND RECOGNIZING CIVILIAN SUFFERING
Body
WHEREAS, the Village of Orland Park is home to a diverse community, including many residents with deep familial and cultural ties to both Palestine and Israel, and
WHEREAS, the Village values compassion, human dignity, and the safety and protection of innocent civilians in all circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Orland Park is committed to supporting its residents impacted by these events and fostering understanding, solidarity, and unity within our community; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Orland Park is home to one of the largest Palestinian and Arab communities in Cook County and the United States, and
WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has resulted in widespread civilian suffering, including hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries in Palestine and thousands of deaths in Israel, along with the destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and essential infrastructure, leaving millions of Gazans without access to food, clean water, or medical care; and
WHEREAS, the majority of those affected in this conflict are women and children; and
WHEREAS, like the rest of the world, the Village of Orland Park recognizes the urgent need for humanitarian relief and the prevention of further civilian harm, and supports peaceful solutions that protect human life and dignity; and
WHEREAS, the people of Orland Park recognize the urgency of expressing our concerns to our national government to do all it can to end the impacts on civilian populations and end this humanitarian crisis, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Orland Park that we:
-Urge the U.S. government and international authorities to take decisive diplomatic action that ends military operations and supports a just and lasting peace that ensures safety, freedom, and dignity for Palestinians and Israelis.
-Urge immediate humanitarian aid through the safe, sustained, and unconditional delivery of food, water, medical supplies, and other necessities to all affected civilians in Gaza in order to prevent further loss of life.
-Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
-Call for an immediate end to hostilities to prevent further loss of life and suffering while a lasting solution can be found.
-Direct that copies of this resolution be sent to the President and the Orland Park representatives in the US Congress.