Exhibit 20
Proposed by the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission on December 4, 2003
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ENDING U.S. MILITARY SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
Whereas, the United States, by providing Israel with virtually unlimited diplomatic, economic, and military support, has made itself complicit in Israel’s 36-year old military occupation of Palestinian lands;
Whereas, the State of Israel’s building of a 25-foot Separation Wall that cuts through Palestinian communities, is further undermining chances for a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict;
Whereas, construction of the Separation Wall deprives a significant proportion of the Palestinian people of all means for self governance, movement, commerce, and education on all levels, and makes the prospect of a viable independent Palestinian state unfeasible;
Whereas, the United States government has expressed its official opposition to the construction of the Separation Wall (President George W. Bush, London, November 19, 2003) while at the same time refusing to use its unquestionable influence to prevent the Israeli government from proceeding with its construction;
Whereas, a majority of Jewish Americans support ending the occupation of Palestinian lands and dismantling of the Settlements (US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, September 23, 2003); and
Whereas, the City of Ann Arbor has in recent months witnessed dozens of vigils, peaceful protests, teach-ins, lectures, and debates on behalf of the beleaguered Palestinian population;
RESOLVED, That the City of Ann Arbor urge the United States Federal Government to stop military aid to the State of Israel until such time that Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian lands; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator send copies of this resolution to our U.S. Congressional and Senate representatives and the President of the United States.
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