Statements On Violence in Israel & Palestine - Resources Available
Community Resources - Response to International Violence
Scroll down for Official Statements from Supervisor Otto Lee
Click HERE for October 11 Statement; Click HERE for October 17 Statement
Click HERE for Palestinian Day Remarks; Click HERE for May 28 Moment of Silence
Resources & Support
Violence and conflict create real trauma for our families - especially our children. Please see the following list of resources to help support our community or address any questions or concerns for our children during these horrific events - We want to ensure a safe community where we may all peacefully address our needs - Thank you.
◆ The County of Santa Clara’s Office of Immigrant Relations, OIR, is a great resource for a wide array of services and resources - Click HERE to visit OIR
◆ The Santa Clara County Office of Education, SCCOE, also has several resources for ensuring safe learning spaces for our youth - Click HERE to visit SCCOE
◆ The Superior Court has information and application to help prevent violence or self-harm with a gun violence restraining order, GVRO - Click HERE to learn more
RESOURCE LINKS ➞
◆ The 5Ds of Bystander Intervention Training (Right To Be)
◆ How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War: Resources for Educators (Education Week)
◆ Handle with Care: Supporting Young People During Crises (Learning for Justice)
◆ How to Talk to Kids About What's Happening in Israel Right Now This article shares conversations parents and family members can have with their children based on their age range.
◆ How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
◆ Talking to Your Kids About War VeryWell Family explores ways families can speak with young people about war, including tips on sharing information and restricting media coverage.
◆ How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War UNICEF’s guide offers eight tips to support and comfort your children.
Local Groups and Organizations:
Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley - LINK
Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR California San Francisco Bay Area - LINK
Jewish Silicon Valley - LINK
South Bay Islamic Association - LINK
Hillel Silicon Valley - LINK
Muslim Community Association - LINK
Temple Emanu-El - LINK
SABA Islamic Center - LINK
Official Statements from Supervisor Otto Lee
Moment of Silence for Rafah Attacks - FGOC Meeting, May 28, 2024
Before the close of the May 28, 2024 Finance and Government Operations Committee, which I Chair, I asked for a moment of silence in recognition of the recent bombings in the City of Rafah in Gaza. I shared the following:
“For It was reported yesterday that there was a bombing on a densely populated Rafah refugee tent camp that killed at least 45 people, and hundreds more injured. More than half of those were women, children and elderly people according to health officials.
Israel’s military noted that it was investigating reports that a strike it carried out against Hamas militant commanders in Rafah had caused the fire, and there has been worldwide condemnation of this tragedy. The Prime Minister of Israel noted that the strike was a 'mistake' or 'error' depending on the translations.
Regardless whether it’s a mistake or error, this is beyond tragic, and I would like to take a moment of silence to honor those who are suffering and have fallen before we adjourn. [Moment of silence] Thank you."
NEWS LINK:
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/27/nx-s1-4982690/rafah-encampment-israeli-airstrike-hamas
Response to continued conflict
October 17, 2023
"We stand in strong solidarity with our Jewish and Palestinian Americans having loved ones suffering from afar. All kidnapped hostages must be released now, and Gazan civilians must have access to clean water, electricity, humanitarian aid, and safe passage. Having survived multiple mortar and bomb attacks in Iraq, and one by only 30 yards, I mourn the families’ trauma and loss suffered during these horrific times. Indiscriminate bombings, destruction, and bloodshed targeted against civilians, schools, and hospitals are war crimes that must end.
Silicon Valley is blessed to be a diverse community with talented people from all over the world for decades. We strongly condemn all violence, abuse, or bullying here in our communities, especially those targeted against children of different ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds - THIS MUST STOP!
We thank our interfaith leaders for spreading the message of unity and non-violence, and for maintaining peace during these challenging times. Our public safety partners are fully aware, and they are stepping up efforts to ensure our families and communities are safe from hate including from antisemitism or Islamophobia - and will pursue actions against anyone promoting threats and committing hate crimes.
Hate and violence have no place in Santa Clara County, in California or in America, and the perpetrators will be held fully accountable under the law. Our children and families must feel safe and welcome, and justice upheld."
LINK
Statement on the October 7, 2023 attacks
October 11, 2023
"There are no good words at a time like this. The inhumane acts of indiscriminate bombing, shooting, kidnapping, and killing of civilians including women, children, elderly, and terror on Simchat Torah were utterly barbaric and have no place in the modern world.
We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ unjustifiable and vile attack this weekend, and I fear for those now caught in a war zone. Instead of helping, Hamas’ unspeakable atrocities exacerbates the sufferings of millions of Gaza residents.
We are deeply saddened that thousands of innocent Israelis and Palestinians continue to be slain. Violence only begets more violence at a time where our world needs more tolerance and understanding instead of hate.
We must be the generation that brings lasting peace for the Middle East - until then, we call for compassion, humanity and empathy during this extremely difficult time, and provide humanitarian aid and safe passages to Gaza civilians."
LINK
23rd Annual Palestinian Cultural Day & Flag Raising
Supervisor Lee's 23rd Palestinian Day Remarks:
Good afternoon, As-Salaam-Alaikum. My name is Otto Lee, and I’m truly honored to be here today with everyone to celebrate the 23rd Annual Palestinian Cultural Day right here in the County of Santa Clara.
Of course, special thanks to Samir Laymoun, who needs no further introduction for all he has been doing for 23 years, and to my predecessors Pete McHugh and Dave Cortese.
This year, as you understand, is a little different. Often, when we celebrate these things, we come together joyously, enjoying the food and festivities. But this year is very different considering what is happening in Gaza.
I have been advised, ‘maybe this year we need to postpone it, maybe there is a risk of protesters and safety concerns, and how about not doing it?’
And you know what I said? I'm a Navy guy - I like John Paul Jones who said, “Damn the torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!” - We are doing it!
Along with me, I would like to introduce elected officials here in support. Introductions of Pattie Cortese, Ash Kalra, Javed Ellahie, Omar Din, Tara Sreekrishnan, Raeena Lari, Patrick Ahrens, Sam Liccardo, Johnny Khamis, Sally Lieber, and a representative from Aisha Wahab. Thank you for being here and thank you for being brave and speaking for a community that needs to be heard.
Again, I am proud to continue showing support for the Palestinian American community and join in celebrating this history and heritage. As we are raising the flag today, proudly, thousands of Palestinians are dying and starving in Gaza. I don’t need to say more.
When we call for a ceasefire, some say, ‘That’s not defending Israel.’ I disagree strongly, and let's not conflate or be confused about what is happening. Shooting down 300 missiles from Iran raining down on Israel, that’s defending Israel.
But...
Restricting humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and even water to seniors, women, and children is not defending Israel.
Killing hundreds of journalists and aid workers is not defending Israel.
Killing over twenty thousand innocent women and children is not defending Israel.
Bombing hospitals and killing nurses, doctors, and patients is not defending Israel.
Building more illegal settlements in occupied territories is not defending Israel.
Those are violations of international laws, humanitarian laws, and laws of human rights.
And calling out these atrocities of humanity is not antisemitic, so let's not conflate these terms.
I've also heard all the blame for our President. In all fairness, I think he's trying, but he took a little too long, but has finally come to the right place slowly. Most importantly, I think it's important that we stop sending bombs and weapons.
Instead, we should airdrop food, medicine, and humanitarian aid, build more piers, open more entrances to let more aid flow in, draw the red line of no invasion of Rafah, and demand the release of hostages and a ceasefire now!
Of course, there's also regional conflict that we’re worried about against Iran, and shooting down 99% of those Iranian missiles was no small feat, avoiding a huge catastrophe afterward. I have to say I give our President a lot of credit for that. While Trump still calls for more bombs, and allowing the IDF to do whatever it wants in Gaza. If he were the President, I don’t want to think about how things would be unfolding now.
I’ve seen the horrors of wars and bombs myself. I am a survivor of bomb and mortar attacks. One mortar round landed ninety feet from me when I was serving in Baghdad, working to draw down our troops and bring them home. I was lucky, but thousands have not been so lucky in the last six months. Therefore, we absolutely need to stop this madness now.
Let’s stop this war, release the hostages, and bring aid and humanity back to Gaza - that is the peace we need now.
Back to our County - We are here today to honor the Palestinian American community locally. I would like to read from the Proclamation of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors - signed by all five Supervisors.
WHEREAS, Palestinians now number approximately 30,000, having made major contributions to our County in the fields of business, engineering, law, medicine, as well as through their cultural talents in the areas of poetry, literature, dance, and music.
I just want to say thank you for being here and we will continue to sponsor this every year, rain or shine! Thank you for all of your invaluable contributions. It’s an honor to represent you here today.
May 11, 2024 - James P. McEntee Plaza, County of Santa Clara, San José, California
Click HERE more photos and information
