Resolution No. 2024-71 Supporting Peace and Security for Israelis and Palestinians - October 1, 2024 CITY OF AVENTURA RESOLUTION NO. 2024-71
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
AVENTURA, FLORIDA; SUPPORTING PEACE AND SECURITY FOR
ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS; SUPPORTING THE INDICTMENT,
CAPTURE AND PROSECUTION OF HAMAS LEADERSHIP; AND
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Hamas was founded with the stated goal of destroying the State of
Israel and has been designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist
Organization; and
WHEREAS, the Hamas terrorist organization launched a brutal, highly organized,
and unprecedented attack upon Israel and its citizens in the early morning hours of
October 7, 2023, making it the deadliest day worldwide for the Jewish community since
the Holocaust; and
WHEREAS, in its attack, Hamas killed thousands of innocent civilians, including
more than 40 Americans, and took hundreds of Israeli children, women, elderly, and
infirm civilians hostage; and
WHEREAS, the brutal execution of six hostages by Hamas in late August 2024,
one of whom was an Israeli-American, has heightened the urgency to free the 100+
hostages still held captive by Hamas, including eight American citizens, and should be
prioritized as a worldwide humanitarian imperative; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice charged the
leader of Hamas and five other senior members of the group, with orchestrating years
of terrorist attacks in Israel. According to U.S Attorney General Merrick Garland: "We
are investigating Hersch's (the American hostage killed in late August) murder and each
and every one of Hamas' brutal murders of Americans as an act of terrorism. The
charges unsealed on September 3rd are just one part of our effort to target every aspect
of Hamas' operations. This action will not be our last." and
WHEREAS, while acknowledging the challenges of capturing these leaders, the
U.S. Department of Justice has brought forward charges that include conspiracy to
murder U.S. citizens and support terrorism, underscoring Hamas' long-standing objective
to destroy Israel and retaliate against the United States for its support of Israel; and
WHEREAS, Hamas continues to purposefully locate key elements of its terrorist
infrastructure and operate from within civilian population centers, including schools,
hospitals, and UN facilities, in order to use civilians as human shields and maximize
casualties among Palestinians; and
City of Aventura Resolution No. 2024-71
WHEREAS, the City previously expressed its solidarity and unwavering support
for the State of Israel through its passage of Resolution No. 2023-56; and
WHEREAS, Israel stands as a mirror image of American Democracy in the Middle
East, that reflects shared values and mutual interests, underscoring the importance of
supporting its sovereignty and security; and
WHEREAS, Hamas leaders have openly stated their intent to repeat similar
attacks until the State of Israel is "annihilated" Hamas, Iran, and all Iranian terror proxies
not only call for the elimination of Israel, but also the United States. This heinous war
has been waged not only against Israel, but also America and all who adhere to
democratic values.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Recitals Incorporated. That each of the above stated recitals are
hereby adopted and confirmed.
Section 2. Support. That the City Commission recognizes that the Hamas
terrorist organization must be defeated in order for there to be peace and security for
Israelis and Palestinians; commends the extraordinary measures Israel has taken to
minimize casualties among innocent Palestinians in Gaza; expresses its support for
actions of the U.S. Department of Justice to indict, prosecute and capture Hamas
leaders and supports Israel's right to pursue without interference or condemnation the
elimination of Hamas until Hamas is permanently eradicated and the hostages are
released immediately and returned home safely.
Section 3. Effective Date. That this Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was offered by Commissioner Kruss, who moved its
adoption. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Bloom, and upon being put to a
vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Amit Bloom Yes
Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland Yes
Commissioner Billy Joel Yes
Commissioner Paul A. Kruss Yes
Vice Mayor Dr. Linda Marks Yes
Mayor Howard S. Weinberg Yes
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City of Aventura Resolution No. 2024-71
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1 st day of October 2024.
HOWARD S. WEINBERG, E Q.
G� MAYOR
ATTEST:
ELLISA L. HORVATH, MMC
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
P 51 L'A___.
ROBERT MEYERS�
CITY ATTORNEY
WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN, P.L.
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