Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009
Resolution on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

 
  The following resolution on the Humanitarian Crisis  in Gaza came out of a discussion in the PSC
  Executive Council and represents the view of a  majority of EC members.  The EC held a discussion
  of a resolution on Gaza submitted by the  International Committee and decided not to support
  it.  The EC did, however, ask Steve London,  Jonathan Buchsbaum, and Mike Fabricant to craft a
  resolution that reflected the majority sentiment  arising out of that discussion.  Consequently,
  Mike, Jonathan, and I offer the following resolution which has been signed onto by a number of EC
  members.

  Steve London
  PSC First Vice President
 
             

Resolution On The  Humanitarian Crisis In Gaza
 
  Whereas, many members of the Professional Staff
  Congress have strongly  felt and divergent opinions about the current
  conflict in Gaza; and
 
  Whereas, as an academic union, the Professional  Staff Congress supports
  and affirms the right of its members to engage in  open and free debate
  about this and other controversial topics without  intimidation or fear;
  and
 
  Whereas, tenuous cease fires have been declared by  both Hamas and the
  Israeli government and Israeli military forces have  withdrawn from Gaza; and
 
  Whereas, there is a severe humanitarian crisis in  Gaza resulting from the
  present conflict with the deaths of hundreds of  civilians, including
  hundreds of non-combatant women, men, and children;  the wounding of
  hundreds of civilians who are in desperate need of  medical attention; and
  the population as a whole that is in need of basic  necessities such as
  food, potable water, and housing; and
 
  Whereas, the Professional Staff Congress has  expressed the will of its
  members in responding to humanitarian crises in the  past; therefore be it
 
  Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress calls  on the US government
  to pursue all diplomatic means to maintain the cease  fire and pursue a
  just peace between the Israeli government and the  Palestinian authority;
  and be it further
 
  Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress calls  on the US government
  to pursue all means to alleviate the humanitarian  crisis in Gaza including
  calling on the Israeli government to allow immediate  and free entry into
  Gaza of all international and non-governmental aid  organizations to assist
  in the distribution and provision of essential  supplies and medical care;
  and be it further
 
  Resolved, that the Professional Staff Congress calls  on the US government
  to call on the Israeli government to allow immediate  entry into Gaza of
  all international and independent media to report on   the condition and
  needs of the people of Gaza; and be it further
 
  Resolved, that this resolution be communicated to  the American Federation
  of Teachers and to the US Department of State.