Monica Flores, center, and Salam Younis, left, and other concerned citizens hold a protest action calling for a ceasefire in Palestine at the San Jose intersection on Tuesday.
THE House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously adopted House Resolution 23-15, which calls for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and Palestine.
The resolution was authored by Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and co-sponsored by all 17 members present. Vice Speaker Joel Camacho, Reps. Ralph N. Yumul and John Paul Sablan were excused.
According to H.R. 23-15, the CNMI supports U.S. House Resolution 786, “and joins other cities in calling on our Congress members to demand an immediate ceasefire, release of all hostages, the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the restoration of food, water, electricity and medical supplies to Gaza, and the respect for international law, and calls for a resolution that protect the security of all innocent civilians.”
Introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush, D-Missouri, H.Res. 786 urges President Biden to immediately call for and to facilitate de-escalation and a ceasefire in Israel and Palestinian territories. The resolution also calls on the President to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
Some members of the local community testified in support of the CNMI House resolution.
Salam Castro Younis, whose voice trembled with emotion as he spoke, commended the House members for supporting the resolution. “You have shown true leadership by listening to the voices of the people and fighting for humanity.”
He urged other lawmakers “to be on the right side of the history and stand up against an evil that has killed more than 20,000 civilians including over 8,000 children.”
Monica Flores of Guam thanked the House members for adopting the resolution.
In contrast, she said, “our leaders in Guam are failing us.” She added that Guam lawmakers introduced “a problematic and racist resolution that we successfully campaigned against and did not pass.” Unfortunately, she said, Guam leaders “continue to stay silent in the face of this genocide and occupation which only grows worse each day.”
During the miscellaneous part of the session, House Floor Leader Edwin Propst said he was grateful that all House members supported the resolution.
He said some CNMI residents have families that are affected directly by the ongoing situation in Gaza. “We are all affected one way or another,” he added. “And I am very proud of the fact that we as a people champion peace and love…. We are people with big hearts. And I think today proves that. I know we will get criticisms no matter what, [but] we do know the value of life.”
