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East County News Service
November 4, 2023 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors, by a unanimous 4-0 vote, has approved a resolution asking President Biden to order U.S. flags flown at half-staff in remembrance of American lives lost at the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war. The resolution, introduced by Supervisor Joel Anderson at the Oct. 24 board meeting, has resulted in the County sending a letter to the White House requesting the half-staff order.
The letter, dated Oct. 30, states, “The acts of violence perpetrated by Hamas on Oct. 7th against Israelis shocked our community and the continued acts of violence bring with them great unease to so many here in San Diego. In remembrance of the innocent lives lost, the County would like to honor their memory by lowering our flags to half-staff. As local elected officials, we are unable to do so without direction from the White House or the Governor of California.”
Anderson’s motion said, “As the families and friends of these victims grieve for our fellow Americans whose lives were unnecessarily extinguished by terrorists, it is our solemn duty to express our nation’s solidarity with their loved ones. Flying the United States flag at half-staff is a traditional and powerful symbol of our nation’s collective grief and empathy. This act will serve as a reminder that the whole nation joins those who lost loved ones in their mourning.
“Throughout our nation’s history, Presidents have ordered that our flag be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds and naval vessels to recognize and honor the lives of notable individuals and events involving significant loss that results in a period of national mourning.”
Anderson stated in the motion, “I am recommending that the County of San Diego officially request that the President of the United States order the flying of our flag at half-staff in remembrance of the 32 American lives lost during the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel. This action will allow other jurisdictions, including the County of San Diego, to also fly the United State flag at half-staff to demonstrate to the families and friends of these victims that the nation shares their grief and mourns with them.”
Anderson said in a statement, “At least 32 American citizens were reportedly killed during the initial attacks, and there is concern that more American citizens are being held hostage by Hamas at this moment.”
Additionally, Anderson said he condemns the violent terrorist attacks by Hamas as “deplorable.”
“Now more than ever, Americans need to stand strong with Israel and speak out against anti-Semitism both locally and globally,” said Anderson. “The violence enacted by the terrorist organization Hamas against innocent Israeli lives is deplorable and I strongly condemn these violent actions.”
The United Nations estimates that 1,400 Israelis have died as a result of the Hamas attacks and some 220 people have been taken hostage by Hamas. An estimated 9,000 Gazans have died as a result of the Israeli military response, according to the United Nations.
Supervisors’ resolution calls for flags to be flown at half staff to honor Americans killed in the conflict, not Israeli or Gazan civilians whose lives were lost.
Anderson represents District 2 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.
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