CONDEMNING TERRORISM

WHEREAS, for more than two decades The U.S. Conference of Mayors in association with the American Jewish Congress has sponsored the annual Jerusalem International Conference of Mayors; and

WHEREAS, over the years U.S. mayors have observed with admiration and respect how the Mayor of Jerusalem has provided leadership and direction to his multi-faceted, ancient-modern city even amidst religious-ethnic turmoil and nationalist conflict; and

WHEREAS, U.S. mayors have learned of and appreciated the efforts of the Mayor of Jerusalem to serve his constituents (Israelis and Palestinians; Jews, Christians, and Muslims; veterans of five wars and recent arrivals from Ethiopia and the former Soviet Union) while facing challenges that under ordinary circumstances would sorely tax the ingenuity and resources of any municipality; and

WHEREAS, what is beyond reason and belief is the unspeakable burden imposed on the Mayor of Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert, and the citizens of Jerusalem by the mindless acts of terror which indiscriminately have killed and maimed scores of people innocently going about their everyday lives,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that U.S. mayors extend their sympathies and heartfelt support to the Mayor and people of Jerusalem, to the mayors and people of all of the cities and towns in Israel which have suffered similar attacks and to all of the victims of violence on both sides of the conflict; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that terrorism aimed at the deliberate killing of civilians, whether it strikes in Oklahoma City or New York or Jerusalem or Rishon Le=Zion is an abomination and cannot be rationalized or justified as the result of any situation or circumstance; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors condemns these acts of terrorism, calls upon the Palestinian leadership to act aggressively to prevent terrorism, and calls on both parties to return to the negotiation table as the way to resolve this tragic conflict.