A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF: A Call for the Immediate End to the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and a Boycott of goods and services that maintain business relations with Israel.

Whereas from December 27, 2008 to January 22, 2009 attacks launched by the Israeli government on Gaza have resulted in over 1,300 deaths and 5,300 injuries, with more than 60 percent of the victims consisting of women and children;

Whereas schools, mosques, hospitals, ambulances, civilian infrastructure, and UN compounds have been targeted;

Whereas this recent act of blatant violence contributes to the 18-month blockade enforced by the Israeli government on the Gaza strip through strict patrol of its borders. The aforementioned act has resulted in the devastation of Gaza”s infrastructure up to and including the collapse of its economy, causing 80 percent of the population to rely on international aid for the basic means of survival;

Whereas Israeli occupation forces have demolished electricity, gas, and water resources of the region, leaving half of the Gaza population consisting of children in an open-air prison with no option of becoming refugees;

Whereas Israel”s continuous denial of medical supplies in the region constitutes a violation of their signatory obligation to the First Geneva Convention, and causes an inability to treat the wounded, resulting in otherwise preventable deaths;

Whereas Human Rights Watch has found that the Israeli government has used the controversial chemical weapon white phosphorus which “sticks to human skin and will burn right through to the bone” in areas of high civilian density;

Whereas the Fourth Geneva convention renders Israel”s actions a war crime based on its intent and grotesque disproportionate use of military action;

Whereas arbitrary damage of property, denial of rest areas (shelters), and discrimination based on political ideology and other actions put the Israeli Government in direct violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 5, 12, 13, 15, 17, 21 and 24;

Be it resolved that Associated Students of California State University, Long Beach stand in solidarity to condemn all violence against civilians in the region and demand the removal of the blockade on Gaza, including the opening of its borders, while condemning Israel”s disproportionate aggression toward the Palestinian people;

Be it further resolved, ASI participates in a boycott of companies that have any economic ties to the Israeli state. (For more information, please refer to Fact Sheet)

Be it further resolved, that ASI urges California State University, Long Beach, its foundation and its auxiliary to end all business action, including investments, and procurement with companies that maintain business with the state of Israel.

1. Aljazeera.net

2. Saree Makdisi “Gaza and Human Rights” 21 January 2009 http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=103719

3. Lisa Hajjar “Gaza and Human Rights” 21 January 2009

4. Geneva Conventions. “International Humanitarian Law.” http://www.redcross.lv/en/conventions.htm

5. http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/01/10/israel-stop-unlawful-use-white-phosphorus-gaza

6. Saree Makdisi “Gaza and Human Rights” 21 January 2009