During a recent Palm Springs City Council meeting, a series of impassioned public comments called for the council to rescind its statement of support for Israel, issued on October 12, 2023. Speakers, including military family members and local residents, expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing it as a genocide marked by daily massacres and severe deprivation of basic needs.

One speaker, an associate member of Veterans For Peace, urged the council to oppose U.S. involvement in what they termed Israel's \"genocide in Gaza,\" highlighting the dire conditions faced by civilians, including deliberate starvation and bombings of residential areas. They emphasized that U.S. military support for Israel contradicts American laws regarding arms transfers and foreign assistance.

Another speaker detailed the impact of the conflict on children, citing reports of targeted killings of minors and the overwhelming death toll among Palestinians, particularly women and children. They criticized the council's resolution as perpetuating a narrative that silences dissent and equates criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

The meeting also featured testimonies from individuals with personal ties to the Palestinian experience, recounting historical injustices and the current humanitarian crisis. They called for the council to recognize the suffering of Palestinians and reconsider its stance, arguing that U.S. tax dollars are being used to support actions that many international observers label as genocidal.

As the meeting concluded, speakers urged the council to take a stand against what they described as complicity in violence and oppression, advocating for a reevaluation of the city's position on international affairs and a commitment to human rights. The council did not respond to the comments during the meeting, leaving the future of its resolution uncertain.