On Oct. 16, the Amherst Town Council, like cities and towns across the country,  gave unanimous support to a resolution condemning the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that took nearly 1,200 lives and 250 hostages.

Since the day of that brutal attack, the Israeli military has unleashed tens of thousands of missiles on Gaza, killing over 27,000 people, with an estimated 8,600 being children. Nearly 2 million people have been displaced from their homes and are refugees.

The shelling has created a catastrophic human rights situation with widespread starvation, dehydration and lack of treatment for the many seriously wounded people. The weapons and money being used by the Israeli military to inflict this devastation have been supplied by the U.S. government under a presumption of “unconditional military aid.” 

At their meeting on Monday, Feb. 26, the Amherst Town Council, like cities and towns across the country,  will consider a resolution that calls for an immediate and sustained cease-fire in Gaza, an end to the Israeli military siege of the Gaza Strip, the release of the hostages and detainees on both sides, the removal of obstacles to urgently needed humanitarian aid entering Gaza, an end to unconditional U.S. military aid to the Israeli government, and a statement of support to all the broken-hearted and vulnerable members of our Amherst community who are directly affected by this ongoing crisis.

It is time for the Amherst Town Council to declare their and our allegiance to humanity for all people by passing this resolution.

Amherst residents who are concerned about the U.S. government’s role in this deepening humanitarian crisis and rapidly spreading regional conflict are encouraged to contact their district and at-large councilors to sign on as community sponsors of the resolution at tinyurl.com/SupportAmherst4Ceasefire.

Gerry Weiss

Amherst