Today, the City of Long Beach, California passed a proclamation urging permanent CEASE FIRE in Gaza, and support for Palestine. Other Cities are considering doing the same.

I am truly surprised that the government in San Francisco, whose elected officials praise themselves as human rights activists and for everything good and right, is silent. One San Francisco Supervisor had the guts to submit a Proclamation supporting CEASE FIRE, with enormous public support, but such an ordeal now is “awaiting” further research and discussion, as it was sent to one of the Committees. How convenient, there is recess and the matter won’t be discussed until who knows when –When this is “safe” actually. Just like the way we watch documentaries about the Holocaust many years later, and we all cry in the comfort of our sofa.

Meanwhile, day by day, minute by minute, civilians in Gaza and nearby are being bombed, massacred, and tested to the worst possible conditions. Mother Teresa’s convent/hospital/facility in Gaza was bombed Wednesday.

What is being done to Palestinians is barbaric, monstrous, and impious. It is also horrible what Jewish people and other humans went through on Oct 7 and beyond, including the recent killing of Jewish hostages by Israeli soldiers. Regardless of who started or how it started, this is not right. This is a slap to the soul of humanity, with a hand full of explosives and hatred. I wonder what hold Israel has on the U.S. or viceversa, to vote NO when the United Nations has demanded to intercede in favor of Cease Fire. I wonder why most of Europe is more or less silent.

City proclamations are more powerful than people realize.

May the courageous intent of the City of Long Beach ripple.

May we, the people, not be just silent witnesses to cruelty and injustice.

May the souls killed rest in peace.

May those left alive find healing and support.

May we not have to see the good, ethical people of this planet watch, years later, documentaries telling those horrific stories, while sipping a glass of red wine, organic tea, or whiskey.