HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-08-11 City Council EmailsDOCUMENTS IN THIS PACKET INCLUDE:
LETTERS FROM CITIZENS TO THE
MAYOR OR CITY COUNCIL
RESPONSES FROM STAFF TO LETTERS FROM CITIZENS
ITEMS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
ITEMS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES AND AGENCIES
ITEMS FROM CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
Prepared for: 8/11/2025
Document dates: 8/4/2025 - 8/11/2025
Note: Documents for every category may not have been received for packet reproduction
in a given week. 701-32
From:christie Posnak
To:Council, City; Switzer, Steven
Subject:Re: 25PLN-00130 - 332 Forest Avenue (“Forest Commons”)
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 12:00:23 PM
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Letter Opposing the rezoning of 332 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto
Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council and Mr Switzer,
I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to the proposed building
project at 332 Forest Avenue. This development would significantly impact the quality of lifeof every resident of our neighborhood, and on a personal note the health of my elderly mother,
who has Parkinson’s disease and lives at home under 24-hour care.
Our condo is directly across the fence from where the proposed eight-story “Forest Commons”would be built. My mother carefully planned her retirement to ensure she could enjoy her later
years in the comfort of her home and the proposed construction threatens her cognitive healthand overall well-being.
I am not sure if the Council is aware that approval of this project would mean cutting down
deeply rooted Redwoods protected by the Tree Ordinance Protection. If this plan is approvednot only would you be setting a precedent for overriding long-standing zoning protections, but
would remove protection of our Redwoods which provide environmental benefit and are asource of community pride.
Development must not come at the expense of the residents who are the foundation of this
community. I urge you to reject this proposal and uphold protections that preserve thecharacter, safety, and well-being of our neighborhood. Our community’s fragile peace and the
health of its most vulnerable residents should remain a priority over short-term monetary gainsfor builders.
Thank you for your careful and compassionate consideration. I trust you will make the
decision that best safeguards the spirit and health of our neighborhood.
Sincerely,Christie Posnak
707 Bryant St., Apt #303cposnak@gmail.com
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From:Clerk, City
To:Council, City
Subject:332 Forest Ave Public Comment
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 11:59:30 AM
Attachments:332 Forest Ave 1.pdf
332 Forest Ave 2.pdf
332 Forest Ave 3.pdf
332 Forest Ave 4.pdf
Hello City Councilmembers,
Please find the attached public comment letters.
Thank you,
City Clerk’s Office
1
Bissell, Nicole
From:Humphrey Yang <humphrey06@gmail.com>
Sent:Friday, August 8, 2025 5:09 PM
To:Switzer, Steven
Subject:332 Forest Avenue - Support Letter
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Steven,
I wanted to write a letter to voice my support of the development project at 332 Forest Avenue. As a
recent downtown Palo Alto resident, I was able to spend the majority of my day within walking distance
of everything I needed, including the Hasset Hardware, the Post Office, Stanford Campus, and plenty of
restaurants.
This project is a win for sustainable urban living. The building’s scale makes sense in its location, since it
is so close to everything Palo Alto has to offer in its downtown and near other bigger buildings. I urge you
to approve this development to enhance Palo Alto’s walkable, pedestrian-focused future.
thank you,
Humphrey
1
Bissell, Nicole
From:CARTER WILLIAMS <carterwilliams26@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, August 9, 2025 11:08 AM
To:Switzer, Steven
Subject:Item #2: 332 Forest Avenue project
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Dear Palo Alto City Council,
I'm a current resident of downtown Palo Alto and I’m writing in strong support of the proposed housing
project at 332 Forest Avenue.
I love being part of the downtown — everything's here and walkable (so nice!) — but actually finding a
place to live downtown was incredibly difficult. There just isn’t enough downtown housing.
I walk by 332 Forest often and have looked at the building illustration on the sign many times.
It looks like it belongs and fits in well with the neighborhood.
Thank you and I hope you’ll support this project.
Sincerely,
Carter Williams
1
Bissell, Nicole
From:Karen White <kwhite.karenl@gmail.com>
Sent:Saturday, August 9, 2025 4:09 PM
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for 332 Forest Ave. Development
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Hon. Members of the Palo Alto City Council:
My husband and I are writing to you in support of the proposed development at 332 Forest Ave. This
support comes with a strong caveat that the number of non-resident parking permits in zone 5 be
reduced by at least 50%.
First, the proposed structure would blend in well with the tall rental buildings that are very close to the
proposed development. We agree that we need more housinging in University South and appreciate
the number of parking spaces that the developers have provided.
However, to pay the very high rent in University South (we have been homeowners for 30+ years), you
usually need two jobs and two cars. The construction of these apartments and the new residents will
require dozens of additional parking spaces in the University South area.
Our home is within a few hundred yards of the development, and we have two cars and only one parking
space, so one must park on the street. It is usually hard to find a space, as the restaurant patrons and the
nonresident/employee permit holders park it all up.
So, please approve this building, but recommend that the authorities reduce the number of non-resident
parking permits in zone 5. There are lots of spaces a few more blocks away that are often unused. We
believe that property owners should have a better chance of finding a parking space in their own block.
Respectfully,
Karen White and Patrick Butler
700 Block of Ramona Street, University South
1
Bissell, Nicole
From:BPA membership <barronpark.paloalto@gmail.com>
Sent:Sunday, August 10, 2025 11:10 PM
To:Switzer, Steven
Subject:332 Forest
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Dear Steven Switzer,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 332 Forest Ave.
The City Packet for 332 Forest goes into detail how the proposed plan needs exemptions for many
codes. These exemptions are detrimental to the adjacent structures (ex. 707 Bryant - incorrectly
labeled 707 Forest in the City Packet).
There is no need to have the exemptions on such a large property. The owner/builder has space to
work within the expected guidelines.
Two parking entrances ( 707 Bryant & proposed 332 Forest) located close together and near the
Bryant corner are a danger for bikes, pedestrians & cars.
Since Giovannotto owns Casa Real & 332 Forest, there are many ways to make this project
compatible with neighboring structures.The project can be altered to limit adverse impact on the small
density neighbors & limit new safety issues.
Possible changes:
1. Lower level areas ( Lobby, community room, lounge, townhome units) can be placed on the
side of 707 Byrant. This has less adverse impact on 707 Byrant neighbors.
2. Locate driveway/parking entrance adjacent to the Casa Real Driveway ( not adjacent to 707
Bryant). This is safer for the Bryant Ave Bike Blvd. Also this has less adverse impact on 707
Bryant.
2
3. Locate areas of open space to be adjacent to 707 Bryant. Casa Real/ 332 Forest ( note pool
removed from Casa Real) have many areas of proposed open space.
Lisa Landers
707 Bryant
From:Serena Chen
To:Council, City
Cc:Mike Wang
Subject:Objection to 4256 El Camino Real Project – Legal and Community Concerns
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 11:24:30 AM
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Dear City of Palo Alto,
We are writing to reiterate and formally document our strong opposition to the proposeddevelopment at 4256 El Camino Real. This project raises serious legal, zoning, andcommunity-impact concerns that were also reported in the Palo Alto Online article (August5, 2025), City leans on once controversial zoning tool for new housing proposals.
Approving this project in its current form would set a dangerous precedent — effectivelyopening a backdoor for an unethical developer to bypass the City’s established planning
rules, to the detriment of our community.
Key Legal and Zoning Compliance Concerns
1. Required Zoning ExemptionsThe proposal seeks numerous deviations from standard zoning requirements, including:
Height increases far beyond the legal limit
Residential density greater than what is allowed by current zoning
Waivers eliminating the requirement for on-site retail space
Reductions in required parking and open space
Alterations to landscaping and other design standards
2. Housing Element Non-ComplianceThe site, formerly the Su Hong restaurant, is not included in Palo Alto’s official HousingElement — the state-mandated plan that outlines where new housing can be legally built. Assuch, it can only be counted as a “buffer” site, not a planned housing location. Approving itwould undermine the integrity of the City’s Housing Element and could open the door tofurther opportunistic developments outside the City’s stated strategy.
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Community Impacts
Granting such broad exemptions would directly harm neighboring residents by encouraging
over-scaled construction that threatens privacy, sunlight access, traffic safety, andneighborhood character. More importantly, it sends the message that developers can sidestep
planning law with enough political leverage — eroding public trust in the City’s zoningprocess.
We urge the City to reject any attempt to use controversial rezoning tools or specialexemptions to push this project forward. Doing so would reward unethical practices,weaken legal safeguards, and set a harmful precedent for future development acrossPalo Alto.
Sincerely,Serena Chen, Mike Wang, Palo Alto Residents
From:Aram James
To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; h.etzko@gmail.com; Gerry Gras; Greg Tanaka
Subject:Re: Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 10:05:15 AM
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Item # 11 on tonight’s consent calendar
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 11:23 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Will the city of Palo Alto face similar problems with their Homekey project?
Is our city staff and city council sufficiently overseeing the Palo Alto project to
ensure that our project will not be the lastest in a series of building boondoggles (
like our so-called Public Safety Building) ?
Source: San José Spotlight Palo Alto feuds with contractor over public
safety building - San José Spotlight
https://share.google/8NyzMtDc8tL2gkI9R
Homekey Palo Alto is a new modular interim housing shelter with the capacity to
serve over 200 individuals annually with on-site support services. The project is
being codeveloped by the City of Palo Alto and LifeMoves.
Located at 1237 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto near the Palo Alto Baylands,
Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy - San José Spotlighthttps://sanjosespotlight.com/residents-claim-san-jose-homeless-housing-site-unsafe-unhealthy/
From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Sean Allen; h.etzko@gmail.com; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; EPA Today; Braden Cartwright; editor@paweekly.com
Subject:Source: Findlaw
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:59:23 AM
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Further, the perceived storm of publicity SCERS posits seems overblown, or at least
misdirected. Most people will understand that if a pension seems too generous, it is
likely the responsibility of the public agency granting the pension, not the worker
earning it under the prescribed formula. Thus, although some neighbors or othersmay become envious upon learning of a particular pension, the fact of such pension
would not necessarily expose the member to public shame or abuse.
Source: Findlaw SACRAMENTO COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM v.Sacramento Bee et al., Real Parties in Interest. (2011) | FindLaw
https://share.google/dEXemPIhOehtEHk6o
From:Judith Swope
To:Council, City; Switzer, Steven
Subject:332 Forest Avenue
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:39:14 AM
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on links.
I am very concerned about proposed construction of an apartment building at 332 Forest Avenue. I live in a three
story condo next door to the proposed building. I met the developer (from New York) a few years ago when he was
trying to cut down the three large Redwood Trees that border our properties. He could care less about the concerns
of the residents of our beautiful city. Money was his only motivation.
We got the city involved and they denied his request.
The zoning standards should not be exempt on this project. Other projects in our downtown neighborhood have
obeyed the zoning standards. This is not NewYork City. The owners of our condos will be subjected to two plus
years of noise, dirt, and construction plus the loss of sunlight, views, and privacy.
I will be at the meeting tonight with many of the condo owners.
Thank you,
Judith Swope
707 Bryant Street, Unit 207
Sent from my iPad
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Moacir de Miranda Oliveira Júnior
Cc:Aram James; Rabii Outamha; Jeanne Fleming; Hannah Lu; Roberta Ahlquist; Rebecca Eisenberg; Laleh Raeisy;
Brian Good; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Ellen Fox; Avroh Shah; Christiane Gebhardt; Marty Wasserman; Winter
Dellenbach; Joe Penko; Christopher M Kwong; Devrim Göktepe Hultén; Jim Hersh; Josep Miquel Piqué Huerta;
mickie winkler; Lotus Fong; Bette Kiernan; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; annika steiber; Charlie Weidanz; Mark
Granovetter; Mariza Almeida; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gizem Sivri; Palo Post; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Helen
Lawton Lawton-Smith; Stephen Adams; Bette Kiernan; Michelle Baker; Willie Pearson; Grace Alele-williams;
Sarfraz Mian; Carol Kiparsky; Richard Horning; Riccardo Viale; Carol Kemelgor; Dorien Detombe; Online Palo
Alto; Sergio Gustavo Silveira da Costa; Ekaterina Albats; Lana Sabelfeld; Anna Uvarova; David Charles; Lewis
james
Subject:Re: Why aram would eliminate Israel
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:23:31 AM
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Ps ironically, there is an outward migration for family and other reasons including the pressureof living in an “anxiety society,” evidenced by reservists guilt and suicide. Of course, the
ultimate cause is the cycle of violence that can only be cured by negotiation and an eventualpeace, realizing the prayer. Once obstacles are overcome, there is much for Palestinians and
Israelis, two innovation adept peoples, to collaborate on. The Clinton draft treaty read like aninnovation agenda, attempting to attract engineer Arafat while the Eisenhower era Lowdermilk
plan attempted to build mutual confidence by focusing on projects to enhance limited waterresources
From our side, the International Triple Helix Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
community, the dream has long been a jointly led conference, leading to joint projects. I callupon the Association’s leadership to convene relevant persons, starting with Dr Morrer from
the Palestinian Authority Innovation Initiative and Professor Plonski, USP Brazil and Technion Board Member to initiate an organizing committee and start planning for an iconic
event
BestHenry
Founding President Triple Helix Association and
President Triple Helix Institute
644 Menlo Avenue Menlo Park CA 94205
Www.triple helix.net
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 11, 2025, at 2:43 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Shalom Aram,
Re your hypothetical migration thesis, you will recall inviting me to your home
where,at your initiative , we drafted a graphic design of the prayer for Peacebetween Israel and Palestine that I had mooted at Congregation Etz Chayim
Shabbos service that concluded, “May the two sister states live in peace. “
Aleikun SalaamHenry aka Hillel
“Cease Fire Now” Palo Alto City Council Candidate, 2024
Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice Www.triple helix.net
From:Sukhmani Purewal
To:Mark Turner; Palo Alto Daily Post; Yusra Hussain
Cc:Aram James; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gardener, Liz; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Vicki Veenker; Julie Lythcott-
Haims; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Rowena Chiu; board@pausd.org; Board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto;
Kaloma Smith; jessica@speiser.net; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; Lori
Meyers; Sheree Roth; Donna Wallach; Doug Minkler; Don Austin; Yolanda Conaway; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;
Supervisor Otto Lee; Seher Awan; Liz Kniss; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond;
vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Bryan Gobin; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Sameena
Usman; sammy@envirotekrestoration.com; Raymond Goins; Council, City; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green;
h.etzko@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; Bryan Gobin; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Michael Pati;
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Zalkin; ladoris cordell; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Michael Ybarra;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; Miguel Rodriguez; Marty Wasserman; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem
Sivri; Palo Alto Free Press; city.council@menlopark.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; CityCouncil;
CityCouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Figueroa, Eric; Cribbs, Anne;
Lotus Fong; Betsy Nash; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; Pat M; Seher Awan; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jay
Boyarsky; Cait James
Subject:RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:10:42 AM
Attachments:image001.png
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Please also remove me and the following email boardfeedback@smcgov.org from this email chain.
Best,
Sukhmani S. Purewal (he/him)
Assistant Clerk of the Board of SupervisorsSecretary to City Selection Committee
County Executive’s Office/Clerk of the Board
500 County Center, 5th Floor | Redwood City, CA 94063Tel. (650) 363-1802 | spurewal@smcgov.org
From: Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 6:44 AM
To: Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>; Yusra Hussain <Yusrahussainmd@gmail.com>
Cc: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Guilherme Ary Plonski <plonski2@usp.br>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Dana St. George
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<julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>; Nicole Chiu-Wang <votenicolecw@gmail.com>; Rowena Chiu
<rowena.chiu@gmail.com>; board@pausd.org; Board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto
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Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Starvation by Design
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Please remove me from this group.
Mark Turner
Mayor
City of Morgan Hill
17575 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
D: 408.310.4647 C: 408.221.6203
mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov
morganhill.ca.gov | facebook | twitter
From: Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 4:56 AM
To: Yusra Hussain <Yusrahussainmd@gmail.com>
Cc: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Guilherme Ary Plonski <plonski2@usp.br>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Vicki Veenker <vicki.veenker@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>; Nicole Chiu-Wang <votenicolecw@gmail.com>; Rowena Chiu
<rowena.chiu@gmail.com>; board@pausd.org; Board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto
<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>;
jessica@speiser.net; Dennis Upton <kathy8420@qq.com>; dennis burns
<dennis.r.burns@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; ParkRec Commission
<ParkRec.commission@cityofpaloalto.org>; Lori Meyers <meyers.lk@gmail.com>; Sheree Roth
<ssroth29@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Doug Minkler
<dminkler@dminkler.com>; Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Yolanda Conaway
<yconaway@pausd.org>; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg <supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org>;
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Wagner <april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>; ladoris cordell
<ladoris@judgecordell.com>; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Mila Zelkha
<mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Michael Ybarra <dr.michaelcybarra@gmail.com>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Marty Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>; Pnina Abir-am
<pninaga@brandeis.edu>; Gizem Sivri <gizems@stanford.edu>; Palo Alto Free Press
<paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; city.council@menlopark.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; CityCouncil
<CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; CityCouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow
<Michelle.Bigelow@morganhill.ca.gov>; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Bill Newell
<billnewell2850@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott-Haims <Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>;
eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Lotus Fong
<lyfong@pacbell.net>; Betsy Nash <bnash@menlopark.gov>; Andrew Binder
<andrew.binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; Josh Becker <becker.josh@gmail.com>; Pat M
<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Seher Awan <Seher.Awan@missioncollege.edu>; Jeff Conrad
<jeff_conrad@msn.com>; Jeff Rosen <info@jeffrosen.org>; Jay Boyarsky
<jboyarsky@dao.sccgov.org>; Cait James <caitlin.a.james@gmail.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Starvation by Design
I received this email by accident. Please remove me from future emails.
Dave Price
On Aug 9, 2025, at 11:16 PM, Yusra Hussain <Yusrahussainmd@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hi Justin,
Thank you for your email. I highly recommend a book called Christ In the Rubble in
Munther Isaac. It’s an excellent perspective and one that’s shared by many people
who truly care about peace in the region.
The author is a longtime Palestinian Christian who lives in the West Bank. I’m
Muslim, and I can tell you, his perspective is also shared by many Muslims, Arabs
and Palestinians. I make the distinction as many people don’t know that there are
many Arab Christians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Best regards!
Yusra
Yusra Hussain, MD
Adj. Clinical Assistant Professor
Stanford University School of Medicine
805 El Camino Real # A
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Office: 650-328-1676
Fax: 650-445-0911
Checkout: Protectmedicare.net
On Aug 4, 2025, at 1:24 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hi Justin, FYI: Here is a piece ( seebelow) I found online thatraises some provocativequestions that might assist inopening up the discussion youare looking for. I personallybelieve history will judgeHamas as quintessentialfreedom fighters -much likeNat Turner is viewed.
Nat Turner - Wikipediahttps://share.google/30FlrupfbpkbzMLdG
I believe history will ultimatelyjudge Israel as a terrorist state,an apartheid state, a genocidalrogue state that must beeliminated.
Avram “Eliminate Israel Now” Finkelstein.
P.S. A one-state solution is the only just remedy. Are Hezbollah and HamasTerrorists or FreedomFighters? Let’s Talk Nuance
In many Western discussions, groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are quicklylabeled as "terrorists," with little room for nuance or consideration ofcontext. But is it really that simple?
These groups operate in asymmetrical conflicts against vastly more powerfulstates, often framing themselves as resistance movements fighting forliberation. Hezbollah, for example, emerged as a response to Israel’sinvasion of Lebanon, and many in the region see them as defenders of theirland. Hamas claims to resist Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, afight many Palestinians feel is necessary for their survival and dignity.
Yes, their tactics—like targeting civilians—are condemned underinternational law, and those actions cannot be ignored. But at the sametime, we need to ask why these groups exist in the first place. Whatconditions of occupation, systemic oppression, and power imbalance giverise to them? Can we dismiss the context of ongoing displacement,blockades, and military aggression that fuels their support among oppressedpopulations?
International law acknowledges the right to resist occupation, yet non-stateactors in asymmetrical wars are held to standards that even powerful states
routinely violate. When the global community calls one side terrorists butexcuses or justifies state violence that kills far more civilians, it raisesuncomfortable questions about double standards.
So, are they terrorists, freedom fighters, or something in between? Whatdoes it mean to fight for liberation in an asymmetrical conflict, and howshould the world frame these struggles?
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM Roberta Ahlquist
<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
Hear Rashad Khalidi today on Democracy Now. Amy Goodman
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread
who have differing perspectives. For the folks who
think Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire,
what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do
you anticipate Hamas would most likely do with a
ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as
horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is that
a cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas
governing would not lead to a good long term outcome
for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who
have studied the conflict in more detail think would
most likely happen if Hamas were to continue
governing.
All the Best,
Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James
<abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the
Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine
total candidates, who had the courage to
unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I
attended the council meeting that night
and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and
starvation policy must stop, under UN
armed supervision, of course. Who is to
be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea
during he 1952 election campaign,
achieved a cease fire, that holds to this
day, despite lack of a formal peace
treaty.
Best,
Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin
Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>
wrote:
>
> Henry,
>
> One of my objections to “ceasefire
now” is that it places all of the onus on
Israel and demands nothing of Hamas,
and gives Hamas breathing space to
regroup and rearm so they can continue
their policy of killing Jews.
>
> Marty
>
>
>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Marty
>>
>> I have expressed my agreement in
heron to Council on their general policy
of excluding foreign policy issues
However, like the attorney for the
holocaust victim who successfully
asked the US Supreme for a narrow
exception to the statute of limitations, I
argued to Council that there are certain
issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto
citizens to take a stand: Gaza cease fire
now, is one! See council video of
several months ago for my full
statement.
>>
>> Best,
>> Hillel
>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin
Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>
wrote:
>>>
>>> There's no legitimate reason for city
government to weigh in on foreign policy
issues, especially in highly volatile areas
like the Middle East. Such controversial
resolutions change nothing in the
Middle East and only promote conflict
at home. Unless of course the goal is
precisely to create conflict at home.
>>>
>>> Martin Wasserman
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Ps
>>>> Upon reflection, accept your
critique: cease fire requires repetition ,
will include in writings this topic until
achieved
>>>> www.triplehelix.net
>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM,
Roberta Ahlquist
<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Ok!
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM,
Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and
permanent treaty above and beyond.
Aram, who was present, can assure
you that I requested each council
member individually and publicly to
commit Palo Alto to call for cease fire.
Video supposed to be available at city
website.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best
>>>>>> Henry
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM,
Roberta Ahlquist
<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Yes- and how about a
ceasefire? Less abstract, more
concrete...?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM,
Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s
Governmental bureaucracy under an
innocuous title, a “collective Eichmann”
is at work meticulously designing the
“crime of the new century” the
systematic destruction the civil
institutional environment of
universities, businesses, and housing,
with the intent and objective of
atomizing the citizens of GAZA
Palestine into a controllable mass.
Attendant nutrition deprivation is an
overlay on institutional and
organizational deprivation, conducted in
Mediterranean sunlight and
international, if not Israeli, full media
gaze. Rather than the inside pages of
the New York Times where v Germany’s
20th century holocaust was relegated,
this rolling, escalating genocide is on
the front pages of the newspaper of
record where all news that fits is
published, sometimes ironically
overshadowed by food recipes in the
Internet Edition. The international
community, led by Europe where the
Holocaust was originated, collaborated,
condoned and only sometimes resisted
in the last century, must mitigate its
indelible moral stain by heading off the
Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a
Jewish state founded on the ashes of
the holocaust could have been given
such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s
Cambodia. Who will be the future
Hannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquity
of evil?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely
>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz
>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow
>>>>>>>> University of London,
Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation
Management Research
>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for
Environmental and Social Justice, 644
Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025
>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs
Elon Musk et al Case number
24CV450485 Superior Court of
California County of California,
Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First
Street, San Jose CA 95113 civil division
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>
>
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From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Aram James
Cc:Sean Allen; Yusra Hussain; Doug Minkler; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Palo Alto Free Press; Donna Wallach;
jessica@speiser.net; board@pausd.org; Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Cribbs, Anne;
planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; Damon Silver;
Miguel Rodriguez; Pat M; james pitkin; Mark Turner; city.council@menlopark.gov; CityCouncil;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Binder, Andrew; Justin Zalkin; Reckdahl, Keith; Ed Lauing;
editor@almanacnews.com; editor@paweekly.com; Tom DuBois; Today EPA; bos@smcgov.org;
board@valleywater.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Diana Diamond; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Bill
Newell; Raymond Goins; Gardener, Liz; Lotus Fong; Rose Lynn; Rowena Chiu; Council, City; Office of the
Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Carol Kiparsky; Roberta Ahlquist; Brian Good; Dave Price; Vicki Veenker; Josh
Becker; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen
Subject:Re: immoral or Amoral United front?
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:02:07 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Takes both Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 7, 2025, at 11:58 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Henry,
You say things so poetically!! Me more like a bull dog or sledge hammer than apoet!!
Avram “End The Genocide Now!! Finkelstein
On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
Correct
Julie charter member Council “wall of silence”
Incumbents persisting will be too shamed and ashamed to seek reelection Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 7, 2025, at 10:02 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
wrote:
FYI: Brian—here is an exchange you may have missed. Was sentto most of the usual suspects.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM Aram James<abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
My dear brave friend Henry,
Julie came closest to breaking the silence, but to my knowledge,she has NEVER demanded of her colleagues that a ceasefire
resolution be placed on the council agenda for a robust publicdiscussion and a subsequent vote. Similarly, unless I missed it,
Julie has NEVER called out or spoken from the dais: "End theGenocide Now!"
As MLK said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Sleep well my friend,
Aram
P.S. Julie, if my recollection is wrong, I invite you to correct
the record.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz wrote:
dear Aram
Upon reflection, agree with your assessment. Despite minordifferences in progressiveness on other issues; there is an
implacable wall on Gaza cease Fire when implored insuccession, there was not a flicker of sympathy from the
impassive diased.
Sadly,Henry
Ps Marjorie Taylor Green is now cited as moral political role
modelSent from my iPhone
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:John Salois; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Rebecca Eisenberg; Brian Good; RoselineRasolovoahangy; Lotus Fong; Ellen Fox; Aram James; Avroh Shah; Hannah Lu
Cc:Council, City; Office of the Provost; Gennady Sheyner; Palo Alto Daily Post
Subject:Re: RAC QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:00:10 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.John,
Let them bill the dogs and/or their proxies! SR/Stanford removal of the animal ban at OakCreek has created an out of control human health risk, well documented.
rent strike looming?
Cheers HenryCOCR Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice (NESJ)www.triple helix.netPs n, pls forward to underground Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 8, 2025, at 7:43 AM, John Salois <amat721@outlook.com> wrote:All,
I have attached two documents; The first it the meeting minutes and the second (
Rent increase Cal) which shows the Max allowable increase for our area.
The rent increase will start next year in May as you can read in the minutes, they
are going to use amenities to justify any increase. Dog park, tennis court hours and
the children’s park as well as cross walks and speed limits were discussed.
Please pass this along to others whom may be interested and as usual just grab
me and let's chat for a while.
Get Outlook for Mac
<Q3 RAC Meeting July 31, 2025.pdf><Rent Increase cal.pdf>
From:John Salois
To:h.etzko@gmail.com; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Rebecca Eisenberg; Brian Good; RoselineRasolovoahangy; Lotus Fong; Ellen Fox; Aram James; Avroh Shah; Hannah Lu
Cc:Council, City; Office of the Provost; Gennady Sheyner; Palo Alto Daily Post
Subject:Re: RAC QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 9:00:10 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Ah Henry,
I agree they SR/Stanford have done the below two items in a rather clandestine manner. That
being said, can you share the data that you are writing about? I would like to share it with a
person who is directly impacted by the dog park. We also seem to have an explosion of
grandparents with new born; just seems odd as the reported purpose of the place is to house
POST DOCS!
Get Outlook for Mac
From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
To: John Salois <AMAT721@outlook.com>, Trudy Willis <trudysw@sbcglobal.net>, Charles
Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>, Chunyan Zhou <alice1082@hotmail.com>, Rebecca
Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>, Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>, Roseline
Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>, Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>,
Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>, Avroh Shah
<avrohshah@gmail.com>, Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>
Cc: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>, Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>, Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>, Palo Alto
Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Subject: Re: RAC QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
John,
Let them bill the dogs and/or their proxies! SR/Stanford removal of the animal ban at OakCreek has created an out of control human health risk, well documented.
This message needs your attention
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rent strike looming?
Cheers Henry
COCR Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice (NESJ)
www.triple helix.netPs n, pls forward to underground
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 8, 2025, at 7:43 AM, John Salois <amat721@outlook.com> wrote:All,
I have attached two documents; The first it the meeting minutes and the second (
Rent increase Cal) which shows the Max allowable increase for our area.
The rent increase will start next year in May as you can read in the minutes, they
are going to use amenities to justify any increase. Dog park, tennis court hours and
the children’s park as well as cross walks and speed limits were discussed.
Please pass this along to others whom may be interested and as usual just grab
me and let's chat for a while.
Get Outlook for Mac
<Q3 RAC Meeting July 31, 2025.pdf><Rent Increase cal.pdf>
From:Dr Eric
To:Council, City
Subject:OBJECTION: THE ONLY LEGAL PLAN FOR THE RED CROSS BUILDING: EITHER A SOLO VENTURE WITH GREAT
SPIRIT TRIBAL-U/THE-FRANKLIN-INSTITUTE OR A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN STANFORD U. AND GREAT
SPIRIT TRIBAL-U/THE-FRANKLIN-INSTITUTE....HOUSING THE DEFICIT ELIMINATIO...
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 8:49:08 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Stanford clears major hurdle in plan to repurpose former Red Cross building - Palo AltoOnline https://share.google/zr72XpQEd25dr2f7a
OBJECTION: THE ONLY LEGAL PLAN FOR THE RED CROSS BUILDING: EITHER A
SOLO VENTURE WITH GREAT SPIRIT TRIBAL-U./THE-FRANKLIN-INSTITUTE ORA JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN STANFORD U. AND GREAT SPIRIT TRIBAL-U/THE-
FRANKLIN-INSTITUTE....HOUSING "THE DEFICIT ELIMINATION INSTITUTE"(WITHOUT BENEFITS CUTS, NEW TAXES, OR DEBT/FOREIGN LOAN INCREASES)-
--WHICH ELIMINATED SOCIAL SECURITY'S DEFICITS FOR THE FIRST TIME INHISTORY WITHOUT BENEFITS CUTS, NEW TAXES, OR DEBT/ FOREIGN LOAN
INCREASES---AFDC BENEFITS ALREADY WEREN'T BEING PAID), BY ENFORCINGTHESE UNIFICATION SCIENCE DISCOVERIES/UPGRADES I'D WRITTEN THEN-
CANDIDATE-REAGAN ABOUT IN 1978-9 AND HE PASSED THE "U.S.BANKRUPTCY AND JUDICIARY REVISION ACT" IN 1984....AND, AFTER WRITING
THEM, SENATORS DODD-&- FRANK PASSED THE AMENDMENTS TO THE TRUTHIN LENDING ACT IN 2010....
BANNING INVOLUNTARY JURYLESS ARBITRATIONS IN RESIDENTIAL-MORTGAGES/"BELOW BANKRUPTCY PROPERTIES".... THE ONLY WAY TO
PRODUCE PEACE AND PROSPERITY/SOLVENCY, ANY/ALL ELSE CAN ONLYPRODUCE NET-CRIME-&-DEBT-EXPANSIONS (TO CIVIL/WORLD WAR).....THE
DEFICIT ELIMINATION INSTITUTE WILL REGIONALLY ENSURE PERSONAL ANDSOCIAL UPGRADES TO UNIFICATION SCIENCE, USING THE PERSONAL EXAM
(AT WWW.PRLog.Org/10439874) AND THE "PROPER GRAND JURY FUNCTIONCERTIFICATION STANDARDS EXAM" (BELOW); AS WELL AS OFFERING
UNIFICATION SCIENCE CHARTERS AND FRANCHISES FOR NEW AND EXISTINGBUSINESS UPGRADES TO UNIFICATION SCIENCE GRADE, THE NEW "U S.
GRADE"....GUARANTEEING PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOR THE COMMUNITYAND STATE, ASAP!!!
IN FURTHERANCE OF THE VALID LAW ON THE SUBJECTMATTER; THE ONLY
NON-DEBT-PRODUCING/NON-THEFT-OF-TAXES-&-TAX-PAID-DUE-PROCESS-JURY-TRIAL-BENEFITS....1984 U.S. BANKRUPTCY AND JUDICIARY REVISION ACT
AND THE 2010 DODD-FRANK AMENDMENTS TO THE TRUTH I. LENDING ACT (IN
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
FURTHERANCE OF ARTICLE 3, SECTION 2, CLAUSE 3 OF THE U.S.CONSTITUTION: BANNING/PROHIBITING INVOLUNTARY JURYLESS
ARBITRATIONS)....UPON A RULING/ORDER BEING OBJECTED TO (PROVING ITSNOT-VOLUNTARY/NO-LONGER-VOLUNTARY), ITS DUE REMANDATION TO THE
GRAND JURY, BY THE PRESIDING JUDGE, TO BE RESOLVEDDENOVO/ANEW....AS SUCH, IF THE "OPPOSING PARTIES" DO NOT AGREE TO
THIS "SHARED USAGE" (AT MINIMUM) OF THESE ONLY POSSIBLE PEACE ANDPROSPERITY/SOLVENCY PRODUCING UNIFICATION SCIENCE
UPGRADES/WARRANTS.......RESTORING THE "VOLUNTARY' QUALITY OF THESEPROCEEDINGS..... WE MUST SEEK AND LEGALLY-DEMAND SUCH LEGALLY-DUE
GRAND JURY REMANDATIONS AND DENOVO RESOLUTION...
If/when you're ready to get started doing it right (MAKING "REAL PROFITS"), instead of
more "FALSE PROFITS" (REAL DEBT, EVADING/OPPOSING JURY TRIALSBENEFITS, RIGHT HERE AT HOME).....INCLUDE US IN ANY/ALL EXPANSIONS
(THE PERSONAL EXAM AND "UNIFICATION SCIENCE GRADE PUBLIC HEALTHAND SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PROPER GRAND JURY FUNCTION"....AS WELL AS
OUR UNIFICATION SCIENCE GRADE NEW BUSINESSES/CHARTERS/FRANCHISESAND UPGRADES FOR EXISTING BUSINESSES)-----THE MATERIALS THAT
SHOULD'VE BEEN GOVERNMENTALLY PURCHASED AND PROVIDED VIA THESEC, FED, TREASURY, DEPT. OF EDU. AND OTHERS (AS 1905-RELATIVITY WAS,
BY TEDDY ROOSEVELT'S 1906 PF&D ACT., ETC, ETC, ETC.)..
DEMAND IT, IN WRITING, TO YOUR GRAND JURIES AND REPRESENTATIVES,FOR A "DUE REFUND" OF ANY COSTS YOU INCUR, UNTIL WE ARE
SOLVENT/DEFICIT-FREE (WITHOUT BENEFITS CUTS NEW TAXES OR DEBTFOREIGN LOAN INCREASES, FROM 1988 LEVELS)!!!
RCCFM ALWAYS C);
DR. ERIC DURANDWHO'S WHO RESEARCH PHYSICIAN AND LAW PROFESSOR
DrEricShow@Gmail.com
From:Clerk, City
To:Council, City
Subject:FW: Yes to 332 Forest Avenue
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 8:00:10 AM
Good morning City Council,
Please see the below public comment letter.
Thank you,
City Clerk’s Office
From: Melanie Bentley <melanielsbentley@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 4:01 PM
To: Switzer, Steven <Steven.Switzer@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Yes to 332 Forest Avenue
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Project Planner,The pressing need to support Palo Alto’s essential workers, particularly in healthcare, drives my enthusiastic endorsement of the proposed housing development at 332 Forest Avenue. As a nurse at Stanford Hospital, I work grueling shifts—often exceeding 80hou
i
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CGBANNERINDICATOR
Dear Project Planner,
The pressing need to support Palo Alto’s essential workers, particularly in healthcare, drives myenthusiastic endorsement of the proposed housing development at 332 Forest Avenue. As a nurse atStanford Hospital, I work grueling shifts—often exceeding 80 hours a week—with residents, fellows,and doctors-in-training alongside me, sometimes managing only 12 hours off between marathonschedules. Living in Redwood City, I rarely have the energy or time to enjoy Palo Alto’s vibrantdowntown, like grabbing a meal at Reposado or catching a yoga class at Yoga Source, both of whichare just blocks from the 332 Forest Avenue site. I noticed the development sign while parking to visit afriend, and it sparked hope that housing in this prime downtown location could be possible.
This project could allow so many people, including healthcare workers like myself and coworkers, tolive closer to Stanford, reducing punishing commutes and enabling us to enjoy Palo Alto morefrequently. I urge you to advance this initiative swiftly to address our critical housing shortage.
Sincerely,
Melanie Bentley
Powered by Mimecast
From:Clerk, City
To:Council, City
Subject:FW: Support for 332 Forest Avenue Development
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 7:54:34 AM
Good morning City Council,
Please see the below public comment.
Thank you,
City Clerk’s Office
From: Brad Ehikian <brad.ehikian@prprop.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:29 PM
To: Switzer, Steven <Steven.Switzer@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Support for 332 Forest Avenue Development
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Steven,I wanted to write an email to express my support for the 332 Forest Avenue Development. Palo Alto is a great place to work and live, and DOWNTOWN sites like 332 Forest Avenue, which have the scale to create meaningful housing units, are incredibly rare. As a city which
i
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CGBANNERINDICATORHi Steven,
I wanted to write an email to express my support for the 332 Forest Avenue Development.Palo Alto is a great place to work and live, and DOWNTOWN sites like 332 Forest Avenue,which have the scale to create meaningful housing units, are incredibly rare. As a city whichprides itself on being both pedestrian and bike friendly, 332 Forest Ave delivers. This projectwill be a great addition to Palo Alto. I hope you can recommend positive feedback for 332Forest Ave.
Thank you,
--
BRAD EHIKIAN Partnerdre license #01736391
539 ALMA ST PALO ALTO, CA 94301DIRECT: 650 / 618-3001MAIN: 650 / 618-3000FAX: 650 / 618-3009www.premierpaloalto.com
Nothing in this message (or any attachments thereto) should be interpreted as an offer to enter into a lease, contact, or other legally binding agreement nor shall thisemail (or any attachments thereto) constitute a digital or electronic signature that can be used to execute, accept or authenticate a document, contract, or offer.
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From:Clerk, City
To:Council, City
Subject:FW: Strong support- From a long term resident of Palo Alto
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 7:53:40 AM
Good morning City Council,
Please see the below public comment.
Best,
City Clerk’s Office
From: Patrick Foy <patrickfoy@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 11:44 AM
To: Switzer, Steven <Steven.Switzer@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Strong support- From a long term resident of Palo Alto
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious ofopening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor and City Council of Palo Alto,I encourage you to advance the project proposed at 332 Forest Avenue because we critically need it. I grew up in Palo Alto and I still live here, but I’m the exception – most of my classmates from Palo Alto now live in other cities. Theyt
i
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report
CGBANNERINDICATORDear Mayor and City Council of Palo Alto,
I encourage you to advance the project proposed at 332 Forest Avenue because we critically need it. I grewup in Palo Alto and I still live here, but I’m the exception – most of my classmates from Palo Alto now live inother cities. They tell me that lack of housing is almost always the reason, because they would prefer to livehere.
We keep losing the special Palo Alto culture when the people that grew up here are not able to raise theirown family here. It’s really important that this project keeps moving forward and gets built.
Thank you,
Patrick Foy
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From:Aram James
To:Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Cc:h.etzko@gmail.com; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com;
Stump, Molly
Subject:Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy - San José Spotlight
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 7:13:05 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Item # 12 on tonight’s consent calendar. Should it be pulled for discussion?
Prato said that LifeMoves investigated these concerns immediately and
found standing water in the water heaters was causing the smell. They have
flushed affected buildings and the water provider has told them the water
supply is “safe for drinking and bathing,” she said.
https://sanjosespotlight.com/residents-claim-san-jose-homeless-housing-site-unsafe-unhealthy/
From:Mark Turner
To:Palo Alto Daily Post; Yusra Hussain
Cc:Aram James; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gardener, Liz; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Vicki Veenker; Julie Lythcott-
Haims; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Rowena Chiu; board@pausd.org; Board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto;
Kaloma Smith; jessica@speiser.net; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; Lori
Meyers; Sheree Roth; Donna Wallach; Doug Minkler; Don Austin; Yolanda Conaway; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;
Supervisor Otto Lee; Seher Awan; Liz Kniss; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond;
vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Bryan Gobin; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Sameena
Usman; sammy@envirotekrestoration.com; Raymond Goins; Council, City; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green;
h.etzko@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; Bryan Gobin; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Michael Pati;
Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Patrice Ventresca; pat@patburt.org; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; Today
EPA; cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Vara Ramakrishnan; james pitkin; Gennady Sheyner;
Wagner, April; Justin Zalkin; ladoris cordell; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Michael
Ybarra; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; Miguel Rodriguez; Marty Wasserman; Pnina Abir-am;
Gizem Sivri; Palo Alto Free Press; city.council@menlopark.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; CityCouncil;
CityCouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie;
Figueroa, Eric; Cribbs, Anne; Lotus Fong; Betsy Nash; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; Pat M; Seher Awan; Jeff
Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Cait James
Subject:RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 6:44:17 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Please remove me from this group.
Mark Turner
Mayor
City of Morgan Hill
17575 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
D: 408.310.4647 C: 408.221.6203
mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov
morganhill.ca.gov | facebook | twitter
From: Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2025 4:56 AM
To: Yusra Hussain <Yusrahussainmd@gmail.com>
Cc: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Guilherme Ary Plonski <plonski2@usp.br>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Vicki Veenker <vicki.veenker@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<julieforpaloalto@gmail.com>; Nicole Chiu-Wang <votenicolecw@gmail.com>; Rowena Chiu
<rowena.chiu@gmail.com>; board@pausd.org; Board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto
<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>;
jessica@speiser.net; Dennis Upton <kathy8420@qq.com>; dennis burns
<dennis.r.burns@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; ParkRec Commission
<ParkRec.commission@cityofpaloalto.org>; Lori Meyers <meyers.lk@gmail.com>; Sheree Roth
<ssroth29@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Doug Minkler
<dminkler@dminkler.com>; Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Yolanda Conaway
<yconaway@pausd.org>; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg <supervisor.ellenberg@bos.sccgov.org>;
Supervisor Otto Lee <supervisor.lee@bos.sccgov.org>; Seher Awan <firebrand.dr@gmail.com>; Liz
Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond
<dianaLdiamond@gmail.com>; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Braden Cartwright <bcartwright@padailypost.com>; Bryan Gobin
<bryan.gobin@valueveracity.org>; Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Sameena Usman <susman@cair.com>;
sammy@envirotekrestoration.com; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; CityCouncil
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>; Relations Commission Human
<hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Bryan Gobin <appeal.bryan.gobin@gmail.com>;
frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Michael Pati <michael.pati@gmail.com>;
Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Patrice Ventresca <patriceventresca@gmail.com>; Pat Burt
<pat@patburt.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Tamara Jasso
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Vara Ramakrishnan <vara@acm.org>; james pitkin
<jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; April
Wagner <april.wagner@cityofpaloalto.org>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>; ladoris cordell
<ladoris@judgecordell.com>; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Mila Zelkha
<mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Michael Ybarra <dr.michaelcybarra@gmail.com>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Marty Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>; Pnina Abir-am
<pninaga@brandeis.edu>; Gizem Sivri <gizems@stanford.edu>; Palo Alto Free Press
<paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; city.council@menlopark.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; CityCouncil
<CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; CityCouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow
<Michelle.Bigelow@morganhill.ca.gov>; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Bill Newell
<billnewell2850@gmail.com>; Julie Lythcott-Haims <Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>;
eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Lotus Fong
<lyfong@pacbell.net>; Betsy Nash <bnash@menlopark.gov>; Andrew Binder
<andrew.binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; Josh Becker <becker.josh@gmail.com>; Pat M
<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Seher Awan <Seher.Awan@missioncollege.edu>; Jeff Conrad
<jeff_conrad@msn.com>; Jeff Rosen <info@jeffrosen.org>; Jay Boyarsky
<jboyarsky@dao.sccgov.org>; Cait James <caitlin.a.james@gmail.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Starvation by Design
I received this email by accident. Please remove me from future emails.
Dave Price
On Aug 9, 2025, at 11:16 PM, Yusra Hussain <Yusrahussainmd@gmail.com>
wrote:Hi Justin,
Thank you for your email. I highly recommend a book called Christ In the Rubble in
Munther Isaac. It’s an excellent perspective and one that’s shared by many people
who truly care about peace in the region.
The author is a longtime Palestinian Christian who lives in the West Bank. I’m
Muslim, and I can tell you, his perspective is also shared by many Muslims, Arabs
and Palestinians. I make the distinction as many people don’t know that there are
many Arab Christians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Best regards!
Yusra
Yusra Hussain, MD
Adj. Clinical Assistant Professor
Stanford University School of Medicine
805 El Camino Real # A
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Office: 650-328-1676
Fax: 650-445-0911
Checkout: Protectmedicare.net
On Aug 4, 2025, at 1:24 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hi Justin, FYI: Here is a piece ( seebelow) I found online thatraises some provocativequestions that might assist in
opening up the discussion youare looking for. I personallybelieve history will judgeHamas as quintessentialfreedom fighters -much likeNat Turner is viewed.
Nat Turner - Wikipediahttps://share.google/30FlrupfbpkbzMLdG I believe history will ultimatelyjudge Israel as a terrorist state,an apartheid state, a genocidalrogue state that must beeliminated.
Avram “Eliminate Israel Now” Finkelstein.
P.S. A one-state solution is the only just remedy. Are Hezbollah and HamasTerrorists or FreedomFighters? Let’s Talk Nuance
In many Western discussions, groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are quicklylabeled as "terrorists," with little room for nuance or consideration ofcontext. But is it really that simple?
These groups operate in asymmetrical conflicts against vastly more powerfulstates, often framing themselves as resistance movements fighting for
liberation. Hezbollah, for example, emerged as a response to Israel’sinvasion of Lebanon, and many in the region see them as defenders of theirland. Hamas claims to resist Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, afight many Palestinians feel is necessary for their survival and dignity.
Yes, their tactics—like targeting civilians—are condemned underinternational law, and those actions cannot be ignored. But at the sametime, we need to ask why these groups exist in the first place. Whatconditions of occupation, systemic oppression, and power imbalance giverise to them? Can we dismiss the context of ongoing displacement,blockades, and military aggression that fuels their support among oppressedpopulations?
International law acknowledges the right to resist occupation, yet non-stateactors in asymmetrical wars are held to standards that even powerful statesroutinely violate. When the global community calls one side terrorists butexcuses or justifies state violence that kills far more civilians, it raisesuncomfortable questions about double standards.
So, are they terrorists, freedom fighters, or something in between? Whatdoes it mean to fight for liberation in an asymmetrical conflict, and howshould the world frame these struggles?
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM Roberta Ahlquist
<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
Hear Rashad Khalidi today on Democracy Now. Amy Goodman
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread
who have differing perspectives. For the folks who
think Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire,
what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do
you anticipate Hamas would most likely do with a
ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as
horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is that
a cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas
governing would not lead to a good long term outcome
for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who
have studied the conflict in more detail think would
most likely happen if Hamas were to continue
governing.
All the Best,
Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James
<abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the
Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine
total candidates, who had the courage to
unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I
attended the council meeting that night
and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and
starvation policy must stop, under UN
armed supervision, of course. Who is to
be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea
during he 1952 election campaign,
achieved a cease fire, that holds to this
day, despite lack of a formal peace
treaty.
Best,
Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin
Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>
wrote:
>
> Henry,
>
> One of my objections to “ceasefire
now” is that it places all of the onus on
Israel and demands nothing of Hamas,
and gives Hamas breathing space to
regroup and rearm so they can continue
their policy of killing Jews.
>
> Marty
>
>
>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Marty
>>
>> I have expressed my agreement in
heron to Council on their general policy
of excluding foreign policy issues
However, like the attorney for the
holocaust victim who successfully
asked the US Supreme for a narrow
exception to the statute of limitations, I
argued to Council that there are certain
issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto
citizens to take a stand: Gaza cease fire
now, is one! See council video of
several months ago for my full
statement.
>>
>> Best,
>> Hillel
>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin
Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>
wrote:
>>>
>>> There's no legitimate reason for city
government to weigh in on foreign policy
issues, especially in highly volatile areas
like the Middle East. Such controversial
resolutions change nothing in the
Middle East and only promote conflict
at home. Unless of course the goal is
precisely to create conflict at home.
>>>
>>> Martin Wasserman
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Ps
>>>> Upon reflection, accept your
critique: cease fire requires repetition ,
will include in writings this topic until
achieved
>>>> www.triplehelix.net
>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM,
Roberta Ahlquist
<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Ok!
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM,
Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and
permanent treaty above and beyond.
Aram, who was present, can assure
you that I requested each council
member individually and publicly to
commit Palo Alto to call for cease fire.
Video supposed to be available at city
website.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best
>>>>>> Henry
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM,
Roberta Ahlquist
<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Yes- and how about a
ceasefire? Less abstract, more
concrete...?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM,
Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s
Governmental bureaucracy under an
innocuous title, a “collective Eichmann”
is at work meticulously designing the
“crime of the new century” the
systematic destruction the civil
institutional environment of
universities, businesses, and housing,
with the intent and objective of
atomizing the citizens of GAZA
Palestine into a controllable mass.
Attendant nutrition deprivation is an
overlay on institutional and
organizational deprivation, conducted in
Mediterranean sunlight and
international, if not Israeli, full media
gaze. Rather than the inside pages of
the New York Times where v Germany’s
20th century holocaust was relegated,
this rolling, escalating genocide is on
the front pages of the newspaper of
record where all news that fits is
published, sometimes ironically
overshadowed by food recipes in the
Internet Edition. The international
community, led by Europe where the
Holocaust was originated, collaborated,
condoned and only sometimes resisted
in the last century, must mitigate its
indelible moral stain by heading off the
Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a
Jewish state founded on the ashes of
the holocaust could have been given
such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s
Cambodia. Who will be the future
Hannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquity
of evil?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely
>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz
>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow
>>>>>>>> University of London,
Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation
Management Research
>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for
Environmental and Social Justice, 644
Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025
>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs
Elon Musk et al Case number
24CV450485 Superior Court of
California County of California,
Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First
Street, San Jose CA 95113 civil division
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>
>
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From:christiane.gebhardt@t-online.de
To:Aram James; Rabii Outamha; Jeanne Fleming; Hannah Lu; Roberta Ahlquist; Rebecca Eisenberg; Laleh Raeisy;Brian Good; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Ellen Fox; Avroh Shah; Marty Wasserman; Winter Dellenbach; Joe Penko;Christopher M Kwong; Devrim Göktepe Hultén; Jim Hersh; Josep Miquel Piqué Huerta; mickie winkler; LotusFong; Bette Kiernan; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; annika steiber; Charlie Weidanz; Mark Granovetter; MarizaAlmeida; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gizem Sivri; Palo Post; Shikada, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Helen LawtonLawton-Smith; Stephen Adams; Bette Kiernan; Michelle Baker; Willie Pearson; Grace Alele-williams; Sarfraz Mian;Carol Kiparsky; Richard Horning; Riccardo Viale; Carol Kemelgor; Dorien Detombe; Online Palo Alto; SergioGustavo Silveira da Costa; Ekaterina Albats; Lana Sabelfeld; Anna Uvarova; David Charles; h.etzko@gmail.com
Cc:Lewis james; Aram James
Subject:AW: Re: Why aram would eliminate Israel
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 2:44:43 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Please Henry- take me off this list
Thanks Christiane
Gesendet mit der Telekom Mail App
-----Original-Nachricht-----Von: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>Betreff: Re: Why aram would eliminate IsraelDatum: 11.08.2025, 11:43 UhrAn: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>, Rabii Outamha <outamha.rabii@gmail.com>,Jeanne Fleming <jfleming@right-thing.net>, Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>, RobertaAhlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com>, Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>,Laleh Raeisy <raeisylaleh@gmail.com>, Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>, RoselineRasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>, Ellen Fox<ellenfox787@gmail.com>, Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>, Christiane Gebhardt<christiane.gebhardt@t-online.de>, Marty Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>, WinterDellenbach <wintergery@earthlink.net>, Joe Penko <josephpenko@gmail.com>, ChristopherM Kwong <feedback@sutterhealth.org>, Devrim Göktepe Hultén<devrimgoktepe@gmail.com>, Jim Hersh <hershjim2@gmail.com>, Josep Miquel PiquéHuerta <jm.pique@salle.url.edu>, mickie winkler <mickie650@gmail.com>, Lotus Fong<lyfong@pacbell.net>, Bette Kiernan <betteuk@aol.com>, WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>, annika steiber <annika.steiber@gmail.com>, CharlieWeidanz <charlie@paloaltochamber.com>, Mark Granovetter <mgranovetter@gmail.com>,Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>, Guilherme Ary Plonski <plonski2@usp.br>,Gizem Sivri <gizems@stanford.edu>, Palo Post <price@padailypost.com>, Ed Shikada<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>, Ed Shikada <ed.shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>, CityCouncil <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>, Helen Lawton Lawton-Smith <h.lawton-smith@bbk.ac.uk>, Stephen Adams <SBADAMS@salisbury.edu>, Bette Kiernan<betteuk@icloud.com>, Michelle Baker <michellebaker16@gmail.com>, Willie Pearson<kingvassie@comcast.net>, Grace Alele-williams <williamsalele5@yahoo.co.uk>, SarfrazMian <sarfraz.mian@oswego.edu>, Carol Kiparsky <ckiparsky@gmail.com>, RichardHorning <Richard.Horning@globaltechlaw.co>, Riccardo Viale<viale.riccardo2@gmail.com>, Carol Kemelgor <ckemelgor@msn.com>, Dorien Detombe<doriendetombe@hotmail.com>, Online Palo Alto <email@paloaltoonline.com>, SergioGustavo Silveira da Costa <sergio.costa@fgv.br>, Ekaterina Albats<Ekaterina.Albats@lut.fi>, Lana Sabelfeld <lana.sabelfeld@handels.gu.se>, Anna Uvarova<au@3dbin.com>, David Charles <david.charles@northumbria.ac.uk>
CC: Lewis james <alphonse9947@gmail.com>, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Shalom Aram,
Re your hypothetical migration thesis, you will recall inviting me to your home where,at yourinitiative , we drafted a graphic design of the prayer for Peace between Israel and Palestine
that I had mooted at Congregation Etz Chayim Shabbos service that concluded, “May the twosister states live in peace. “
Aleikun Salaam
Henry aka Hillel “Cease Fire Now”
Palo Alto City Council Candidate, 2024Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
Www.triple helix.net
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Aram James; Rabii Outamha; Jeanne Fleming; Hannah Lu; Roberta Ahlquist; Rebecca Eisenberg; Laleh Raeisy;Brian Good; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Ellen Fox; Avroh Shah; Christiane Gebhardt; Marty Wasserman; WinterDellenbach; Joe Penko; Christopher M Kwong; Devrim Göktepe Hultén; Jim Hersh; Josep Miquel Piqué Huerta;mickie winkler; Lotus Fong; Bette Kiernan; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; annika steiber; Charlie Weidanz; MarkGranovetter; Mariza Almeida; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gizem Sivri; Palo Post; Shikada, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Council,City; Helen Lawton Lawton-Smith; Stephen Adams; Bette Kiernan; Michelle Baker; Willie Pearson; Grace Alele-williams; Sarfraz Mian; Carol Kiparsky; Richard Horning; Riccardo Viale; Carol Kemelgor; Dorien Detombe; OnlinePalo Alto; Sergio Gustavo Silveira da Costa; Ekaterina Albats; Lana Sabelfeld; Anna Uvarova; David Charles
Cc:Lewis james; Aram James
Subject:Re: Why aram would eliminate Israel
Date:Monday, August 11, 2025 2:43:29 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Shalom Aram,
Re your hypothetical migration thesis, you will recall inviting me to your home where,at yourinitiative , we drafted a graphic design of the prayer for Peace between Israel and Palestine
that I had mooted at Congregation Etz Chayim Shabbos service that concluded, “May the twosister states live in peace. “
Aleikun Salaam
Henry aka Hillel “Cease Fire Now”
Palo Alto City Council Candidate, 2024Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
Www.triple helix.net
From:BPA membership
To:Council, City
Subject:332 Forest Concerns
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 10:47:23 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Mayor Lauing and Council Members:
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 332 Forest Ave.
The City Packet for 332 Forest goes into detail how the proposed plan needs
exemptions for many codes. These exemptions are detrimental to the adjacent
structures (ex. 707 Bryant - incorrectly labeled 707 Forest in the City Packet).
There is no need to have the exemptions on such a large property. The owner/builder
has space to work within the expected guidelines.
Two parking entrances ( 707 Bryant & proposed 332 Forest) located close together
and near the Bryant corner are a danger for bikes, pedestrians & cars.
Since Giovannotto owns Casa Real & 332 Forest, there are many ways to make this
project compatible with neighboring structures.The project can be altered to limit
adverse impact on the small density neighbors & limit new safety issues.
Possible changes:
1. Lower level areas ( Lobby, community room, lounge, townhome units) can be
placed on the side of 707 Byrant. This has less adverse impact on 707 Byrant
neighbors.
2. Locate driveway/parking entrance adjacent to the Casa Real Driveway ( not
adjacent to 707 Bryant). This is safer for the Bryant Ave Bike Blvd. Also this
has less adverse impact on 707 Bryant.
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3. Locate areas of open space to be adjacent to 707 Bryant. Casa Real/ 332
Forest ( note pool removed from Casa Real) have many areas of proposed
open space.
Lisa Landers
707 Bryant
From:cherry@cherrylebrun.com
To:Council, City; Switzer, Steven
Subject:Proposal for 332 Forest Avenue
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 7:13:26 PM
Dear Palo Alto City Council and Planning Department,
I am writing to you regarding the proposal the City of Palo Alto is considering to
rezone the property at 332 Forest Avenue. I own a unit in the three-story adjacent
condominium building(707 Bryant Street).
The proposed plan would allow the construction of an 8-story, 82-unit apartment
complex.
I am very concerned that this project would dramatically change the character of our
residential neighborhood, block views from our building and others, and create
significant impacts in terms of traffic, noise, privacy, and parking congestion.
We want to ask that you do not allow a building that is taller than other apartment
buildings already on our block, such as the one at 360 Forest, the neighboring
property.
Sincerely,
Cherry LeBrun and Forrest Warthman707 Bryant Street, Unit 202
Palo Alto, CA 94301
From:Robin Farmanfarmaian
To:Council, City
Subject:Proposed building at 332 Forest Ave, Palo Alto
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 5:32:30 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am a resident of 360 Forest Ave, directly adjacent to the proposed development at 332 Forest
Ave. I strongly oppose this project due to the severe and lasting impact it will have on myhealth, my quality of life, and the livability of our neighborhood.
The proposed height and density are far outside the scale and character of this area. An 8-storystructure will:
1) Block sunlight entirely on one side of our building, depriving many apartments of naturallight and contributing to poorer physical and mental health for residents.
2) Eliminate long-standing views, replacing open space with a wall of concrete and glass.
3) Set a dangerous precedent for allowing oversized developments in established residential
neighborhoods.
4) As someone who works from home full-time, I am deeply concerned about the multi-yearconstruction process. The constant, high-decibel noise will make working from homenearly impossible. I don't have the choice to go to an office, because the company I work for
doesn't have a physical office. I don't know what I would do if I can't work from homeanymore.
5) Many residents here, including myself, are partially disabled or live with severe chronicillnesses. For us, prolonged exposure to loud noise, vibration, and dust is not just an
inconvenience, it is a serious health risk. My healthcare providers have cautioned me that thistype of long term construction could cause me to have multiple hospitalizations. I can have my
healthcare professionals write letters if that is helpful.
6) Our building is over 50 years old, with original windows that offer no sound insulation
and have large gaps that allow air (and dust) to pass through even when closed. Demolitionand construction will release toxins into the air, which will easily infiltrate our homes.
For those of us with respiratory and autoimmune conditions, this could triggerhospitalizations.
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7) Parking is already challenging in this area. During construction, the influx of largevehicles will make parking for residents and visitors, including my nurses and other vital
medical care providers, extremely difficult, potentially delaying time-sensitive medicaltreatments. To be clear, my life could be at risk.
8) Beyond the construction period, adding 82 new units in this location will overwhelmparking and increase traffic congestion on narrow neighborhood streets. This level of densitywill fundamentally change the character and safety of our community.
9) For those of us tenants with disabilities, cancer, and chronic diseases like myself, moving
would be an extreme hardship. Staying would also be an extreme hardship.
I urge you to reject this project to preserve the livability, safety, and health of the residents
who already call this neighborhood home.
Please help us keep the area habitable, healthy, and in harmony with the existing community
Thank you for considering everyone who lives and works in the area,
Robin Farmanfarmaian
15-year resident of (since 2010):360 Forest Ave, Apt 506
Palo Alto, CA 94301415-994-2138
From:Loran Harding
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; Shanetta Anderson; bballpod; BeckyVagim; David Balakian; bearwithme1016@att.net; boardmembers; beachrides; fred beyerlein; Leodies Buchanan;Council, City; Cathy Lewis; dallen1212@gmail.com; dennisbalakian; kdeem.electriclab@gmail.com; ScottWilkinson; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; IrvWeissman; Joel Stiner; jerry ruopoli; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; Mark Standriff; Mayor; margaret-sasaki@live.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; merazroofinginc@att.net; MY77FJ@gmail.com; newsdesk; nickyovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry; vallesR1969@att.net; yicui@stanford.edu
Subject:Fwd: More on silicon-photonic chips. One Co. is shipping
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 5:30:23 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Subject: Fwd: More on silicon-photonic chips. One Co. is shippingTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Sunday, August 10,, 2025
To all- I hope the networks will forward this email down to the WH. Trump should beaware of the progress being made in silicon photonic chips and what they will be able to do.
This is the second email I am sending in two days about silicon photonic chips. You hear of
huge progress being made by Nvidia and TSMC in the first vid. below. Then in the secondvid, you hear of big challenges that still exist from Dr. Lee Chee Wei. So you will have to
decide how close this tech is to being implemented. Both vids were included in my email ofFriday night.
First vid; Don't miss this. (872) NVIDIA’s New Photonic Technology Explained -
YouTube
Second vid.: Don't miss this either. Are Silicon Photonics the Only Way Forward inSemiconductors?
In the first of these two vids, she talks to Nvidia people, and we hear that Nvidia's Rubin
Ultra GPU will use TSMC's Coupe technology. Mass production in 2026 and it will ship at theend of 2026.
Then the Nvidia Feynman GPU will come in 2028.
Now watch again this vid: He lists some of the challenges. Are Silicon Photonics the
Only Way Forward in Semiconductors?
Wall St. should be asking Nvidia, et. al., if this new tech can be installed sequenciallyin data centers being purchased now.
This co. is shipping the silicon photonic chips. Located in Stuttgart. Here is their website:
Q.ANT is the co. Hear their discussion there. Hope NVDA is listening. Hope Wall St. islistening too. Co name is pronounced Q.ANT like ought with an N in it. Not ant like the
insect. Do NOT miss this. This is important. In the second vid below, you hear discussionby Michael Fortsch, CEO of Q.ANT. You hear him in that vid at 3:36, 6:49, 8:20, 10:18,
14:34. 16:54. 19:28 and at 25:25. He is German.
The Q.ANT website:
Q.ANT: Industrial Quantum Technology and Photonics Solutions
At 18:21 in the below vid., she says "The longer we can make the light propogate throughthe chip without stopping, it is...." Stanford Physics professor and former US Sect. of Energy,
Steven Chu, won the Nobel Prize for this: He slowed light- a lot- as it passed through amedium. Best I can remember. Check with him.
I'll bet that Jensen can understand every word of this:
Don't miss this: Hear what the CEO of Q.ANT has to say at the marks I indicateabove.
This Is The Future of AI
L. William Harding Fresno, Ca.
From:Aram James
To:Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner;Raymond Goins; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky;city.council@menlopark.gov; Bill Newell; PD Kristina Bell; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; EPA Today;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com
Cc:GRP-City Council; Perron, Zachary; Wagner, April
Subject: us president salary - Google Search
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 2:21:25 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
U.S. president and the Palo Alto
Police chief make the same salary. What’s wrong with this picture?
us president salary - Google Search https://www.google.com/gasearch?
q=us%20president%20salary&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5
From:Andrea Smith
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed
Cc:price@padailypost.com
Subject:New York Times article re Zuckerberg
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 1:24:05 PM
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i
Hello City Council, City Manager, and Dave Price
I hope you have read the lovely New York Times article about Mr. Facebook buying all those
properties around him on Hamilton and Edgewood and how he seems to have made hisneighbors’ lives miserable.
When Mark Zuckerberg Moved In Next Door
The billionaire has bought at least 11 properties in Palo
Alto, Calif., creating a compound for his family, a private
school for his children — and headaches for his neighbors.
The City of Palo Alto said that he (Zuckerberg) could NOT have a compound in Palo Alto;well, he seems to have done that. WHY?
Because he can buy Palo Alto with his money?
Just like Trump is getting away with whatever he wants to do so Zuckerberg is doing the sameand the City allows it.
Andrea Smith194 Walter Hays Drive
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From:slevy@ccsce.com
To:Council, City
Subject:332 Forest
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 12:35:43 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
!
Dear Mayor Lauing and council members,
I just got a letter from our board president alerting residents but also saying this project
would dramatically change the character of the neighborhood.
This not my perspective living in one of 3 large adjacent buildings but also I go on alert
whenever I hear character of the neighborhood.
I wrote back to owners and residents explaining where DTN fits into the city's housing goalsand other background omitted in the first letter.
But I imagine you may hear more of this from residents who themselves enjoy the
convenience and accessibility of living near DTN.
I again hope you give positive feedback to the owner as we thi kind of housing and location
meet so many city goals and, as yet there are few if any large proposals for the DTN area.
Stephen Levy
This message could be suspicious
The sender's email address couldn't be verified.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
From:Tram BuiTo:Washington, JeannetteCc:Thoa Bui; Macartney, Cody; Council, City; Gerhardt, JodieSubject:Re: Mini Cat Town Cal AveDate:Sunday, August 10, 2025 11:42:20 AMAttachments:Outlook-ig.pngOutlook-yxywnh0f.pngOutlook-FB.pngOutlook-omnrtr0g.pngOutlook-u32qyh2j.png3361392_Commercial Umbrella Policy 01-UB-0069384-01-03.PDF
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for coming out today and for approving our permit — we appreciate your time.
I did want to clarify a couple of points from your recent email so our records match the actual sequence of events:
The 7/28 inspection was not scheduled on 7/25 — your first email proposing that date and time was sent on 7/27.
There was never an inspection scheduled for 8/8 that was moved to 8/10. The 8/10 inspection was requested by us on 8/7, after the 7/28 visit.
As requested, I’ve attached our insurance information, and I’ll also include the kennel information here for your reference.
https://ryanspet.com/paw-brothers-stainless-steel-hybrid-short-modular-cage-short-bank-complete-2?utm_source=google&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_term=&tmsrc=googlead&tmcid=22748151004&tmsid=182166858855&tmid=761664783356&tmkw=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22748151004&gbraid=0AAAAADs5NNE-ezWEaiARnyXxQ5cBBxgz4&gclid=CjwKCAjwhuHEBhBHEiwAZrvdciIMrqFFeFFImyMF-kwNsgAwZGmYMzLMeJYOlQjdaZ0lSHovOxzpdRoCYE0QAvD_BwE
Thanks again,
Tram BuiCo-founderMini Cat Town
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 1:58 PM Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:Hi Tram,
Our department understands your urgency to open. The final inspection was originally set for 8/8 for the planned 8/9 opening but, at Thoa’s request, moved to Sunday, 8/10. I confirmed that date, though she noted the 9:30 AM–4:00 PM window may be
challenging to work around.
In a follow up email, I suggested 8/15 as an alternative to allow more time to complete the setup of both the front cat housing areas, including the new rolling kennels (replacing the originally planned built-in kennels) in back-area along with a displayed
playpen. On 8/10, I will be working solo from 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, and emergency calls must take priority. Which us what occurred on 7/28, when an emergency rescue and investigation involving a mom dog with her six 9-week-old puppies that delayed my 10-
2pm appointment arrival by six minutes. At the time of the inspection, ongoing renovations were yet to be completed, back kennels were not installed, and the areas the kittens are to be housed in weren’t set up and ready for use. The permit could not beapproved.
Regarding the short notice for an inspection, and although Animal Control’s application was dated 6/1 and submitted to the Planning department on 5/29 along with their paperwork. Unfortunately, our department did not receive the application directly and
was only recently received on 7/22 from Planning. Which we requested due to not having heard of any updates from anyone. On 7/25 (when back on duty) I scheduled the appointment for 7/28 inspection. We were able to perform an inspection in a shortamount of time.
In an email dated 7/15, Cody attached an updated July 1, 2025 application form reflecting the new fees effective on that date and requested that your application be submitted directly to jeannettewashington. Please be advised, the application that was
submitted listed last year’s fee of $219.00, we will honor that amount for this year. The 2026 renewal fee will be $384.00 and is subject to change in future fiscal years.
If you are confident both areas will be fully set up on 8/10, we will proceed with that date between 9:30 AM–4:00 PM, understanding priority call may cause delays. If I am delayed, I will contact you.
Regards,
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303 o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 6:47 PMTo: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>; Council, City <city.council@PaloAlto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for the clarification and for scheduling the inspection. While we understand the permit process must be completed prior to opening, the urgency on our end remains high as we are at capacity and continuing to receive requests from the public andother shelters to take in more kittens.
Since every day makes a difference for these animals, we’re prepared to accommodate the inspection this Sunday to expedite the process. This will allow us to meet the city’s requirements while also ensuring we can continue supporting the community.
As a reminder, during the last inspection request—which was made last minute on your end—we adjusted our schedule to accommodate, and you arrived later than expected. To avoid any unnecessary downtime for our team and the kittens in our care, pleasecall me at 408-421-7489 prior to arriving so we can be ready to meet you promptly.
City Council has been cc’d on this email for visibility.
Please confirm if Sunday will work so we can finalize preparations accordingly.
Thank you,
Tram BuiCo-founderMini Cat Town
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Hello Tram,
I understand the need to open as soon as possible; however, re-inspection is required, and the permit process must be fully completed prior to opening.
The inspection will include both the front and back areas designated for housing cats, which must be completely set up and ready for use. This includes the rolling kennels, an example playpen on display, and any other designated cat housing areas. Withthat being said, I’d like to schedule the inspection for 8/15 between 9:30-4pm. This will give your organization additional time to complete the full setup without being rushed for an inspection on 8/10.
As a refresher, I am including the city’s municipal codes that pertain to pet shops and permit for your reference.
4.59.080 Permit required - Pet shop and boarding kennel.
Every person who owns a pet shop or boarding kennel shall secure a permit for operation of same. The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in the municipal fee schedule. Conditions to secure the purposes of this chapter may be imposed upon a permit
at the time of issuance or such later date that the superintendent of animal control deems necessary. Unannounced routine inspections of the pet shop or boarding kennel shall be required by the superintendent of animal control to insure compliance with
this chapter. Such inspections shall be an automatic condition of permit approval.
(Ord. 4453 § 36 (part), 1997: Ord. 3257 § 6 (part), 1981)
6.20.110 Number of cats.
(a) No person shall keep or maintain more than three cats at any street address within the city unless the person, family or group of persons keeping or maintaining such cats is operating a bona fide animal clinic or hospital or a duly licensed pet shop, cat
kennel, circus, carnival, traveling show, menagerie, or cat exhibition at such street address.
(b) No person shall keep or maintain more than one unspayed female cat at any street address within the city unless the person, family, or group of persons keeping or maintaining such cats is operating a bona fide animal hospital or a duly licensed pet
shop, cat kennel, circus, carnival, traveling show, menagerie, or cat exhibition at such street address.
(Ord. 4453 § 40, 1997: Ord. 3257 § 5 (part), 1981)
Thank you,
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413 www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 10:54 AMTo: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>Cc: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette and Cody,
I wanted to check if this inspection needs to be completed prior to our opening date. We live quite a distance from Palo Alto, and the 9:30–4:00 window is a bit challenging to work around, especially as we are currently caring for some sick kittens from thepublic.
We’re aiming for an August 16th opening, but ideally we’d like to bring kittens in as soon as possible. We’re overflowing with kittens, and our fosters are waiting to drop off at Palo Alto. The public and other shelters are also asking us to take in more, butwe need to free up foster space first.
Please let us know the best path forward so we can plan accordingly.
Sincerely,
Tram BuiCo-founderMini Cat Town
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Morning Thoa,
Yes, I'm available on 8/10 between 9:30 -4pm. However, I'm solo on Sunday and emergency calls take priority.
Is your opening still on the 9th or has the opening date been moved?
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department 3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413 www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:59 PM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>Cc: trambui@minicattown.org <trambui@minicattown.org>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Our rolling kennels will be in by Sunday morning if 8/10, would you be able to come for inspection on Sunday 8/10? Please let me know when you have a chance, thank you.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:15 AM, Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Hello Thoa,
I’d like to ensure that both the front and back areas designated for housing cats are set up and ready to make use of.
I understand that your enclosures are currently being built—could you please let me know when they are expected to be completed and installed? A final inspection of those enclosures will need to be completed as well.
<Outlook-q1byz1ld.png> Jeannette Washington #2988 Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303 o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac <Outlook-FB.png>
<Outlook-ig.png>
From: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:28 AM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>Cc: trambui@minicattown.org <trambui@minicattown.org>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for stopping by to check out the space yesterday. We had talked about playpens being set up for quarantine kittens that were yet not up. Attached is a photo of a playpen. Please note that they are only up when kittens needquarantining. We’ve done this before for kittens on bite quarantine at our Stanford location.
We can set one up for you to come back for another inspection if needed. Please let me know when you have a chance. I’d like to schedule another inspection as soon as possible so that our permit can be approved.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town
<image0.jpeg>
On Jul 27, 2025, at 10:52 AM, Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Jeannette,
Yes, this works, see you tomorrow, 7/28 between 10am and 2pm.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town408-421-7526 (cell)
On Jul 27, 2025, at 7:29 AM, Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Morning Tram and Thoa,
Our department just received your permit application late last week, although it was dated 6/1/25.
With that in mind, I’d like to schedule an appointment for an inspection of the new location on Monday, 7/28, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Please confirm whether this date and time work for you.
Thank you,
<Outlook-ho4pcgq5.png> Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department 3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413 www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
<Outlook-FB.png> <Outlook-ig.png>
From: Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:59 PMTo: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>; Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.org <thibui@minicattown.org>; Washington, Jeannette<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>Cc: Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>; Corpos, Orshi <Orshi.Corpos@paloalto.gov>; Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@paloalto.gov>; McKay, Scott <Scott.McKay@paloalto.gov>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa<Elisa.Vargas@PaloAlto.gov>Subject: RE: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Got it, thanks Jodie.
@Tram Bui the animal permit portion is separate and should be sent to my department. However, we’ll leave it at the last bit because its likely less involved than the Planning Department side of things. Please return
the application when ready to @Washington, Jeannette.
Thank you!
Cody
<image004.png>Cody Macartney #4855
Lead Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 | c: 650.656.5292 | 24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol | @paloaltoac
<image005.png>
<image007.png>
From: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:54 PMTo: Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>; Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.orgCc: Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>; Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>; Corpos, Orshi <Orshi.Corpos@paloalto.gov>; Sauls, Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@paloalto.gov>; McKay, Scott
<Scott.McKay@paloalto.gov>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa <Elisa.Vargas@PaloAlto.gov>Subject: RE: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Cody - It looks like Mini Cat Town has uploaded documents to our system, but they are not fully submitted as additional information is required before we can start our review.
<image008.png>
Mini Cat Town Owners – the request for additional information on the Building permit was over 1.5 months ago, so please let us know if you have questions. For additional information, see the Tenant ImprovementChecklist and the Sign Checklist.
Sincerely,
<image009.png>Jodie Gerhardt (she/her), AICP
Development Center Manager
Planning and Development Services Department
285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2575 | jodie.gerhardt@paloalto.gov
www.paloalto.gov
From: Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 3:48 PMTo: Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.orgCc: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>; Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>; Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>Subject: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Hi everyone,
It’s been a while since I have received an update, and I see from social media that the new Mini Cat Town on Cal Ave is progressing! We have not yet received a permit application for the new location. Please keep us in
the loop and make sure the permit is obtained prior to the beginning of operations. I have attached the most recent permit application for your reference.
Thank you!
Cody
<image010.png>Cody Macartney #4855
Lead Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 | c: 650.656.5292 | 24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol | @paloaltoac
<image005.png>
<image007.png>
From:Aram James
To:Shikada, Ed; GRP-City Council; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Council, City; Diana Diamond;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Justin Zalkin; Veenker, Vicki; h.etzko@gmail.com; RobertaAhlquist; Lotus Fong; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Free Press; Kaloma Smith; Human RelationsCommission; Palo Alto Renters" Association
Subject:Re: Life moves on the consent calendar for August 11, 2025
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 11:03:54 AM
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On Sun, Aug 10, 2025 at 10:42 AM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
LifeMoves has faced criticism regarding its interim housing programs, particularly the
Mountain View site, which has influenced public perception of its new project in Palo Alto.()
Palo Alto’s Interim Housing Project
In June 2023, the Palo Alto City Council approved a nine-year lease with LifeMoves for an88-unit interim housing complex at 1237 San Antonio Road, near the Baylands. The projectis modeled after LifeMoves’ Mountain View site and aims to provide shelter and supportservices to unhoused individuals. The council approved the agreement despite concernsabout LifeMoves’ track record with its transitional housing in Mountain View.
Community Feedback on LifeMoves’ Programs
Critics argue that LifeMoves’ interim housing model has not effectively met its goals. Aninvestigation found that the Mountain View program placed clients in permanent housing at
a significantly lower rate than other interim shelter programs in the county. Residentsreported issues such as insufficient support in finding housing, unaddressed grievances, and
mishandled conflicts by staff.
Additionally, some residents of LifeMoves’ safe parking sites in San Jose expresseddissatisfaction with the program. They reported tight rules, lack of supportive services, and
instances where residents were removed from the site for minor infractions. One residentclaimed that LifeMoves staff harassed her more than the police did when she was on the
street.
City Council’s Perspective
Despite these concerns, Palo Alto’s City Council decided to move forward with the project,emphasizing the need for interim housing solutions. Council members acknowledged thechallenges faced by LifeMoves but believed that the project could provide much-neededshelter and support to unhoused individuals in the community.
Summary
Palo Alto’s Decision: The city approved LifeMoves’ interim housing project despite
concerns about the nonprofit’s track record.()
Community Feedback: Residents have raised issues about LifeMoves’ programs,
including low housing placement rates and concerns about staff conduct.()
City’s Stance: The City Council believes the project is a necessary step in addressing
homelessness, despite the challenges.()
From:Aram James
To:Sean Allen; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Pat M; Wagner, April;Perron, Zachary; EPA Today; Reifschneider, James; Roberta Ahlquist; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; San JoséSpotlight; Diana Diamond; Braden Cartwright; Palo Alto Free Press; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith
Subject:Andrew Binder’s salary comparison with other chiefs in Santa Clara County
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 10:56:10 AM
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Key Takeaways
Chief Andrew Binder in Palo Alto ranks among the top-paid chiefs in the county—witha base salary significantly above that of San Jose’s chief, though still slightly underSanta Clara’s chief after the latter’s recent raise.
The San Jose Police Chief earns substantially less in base pay compared to Palo Altoand Santa Clara.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Chief Andrew Binder’s compensation and how his paycompares with other command-level staff in Palo Alto—using multiple sources to ensureaccuracy:
Chief Andrew Binder’s Pay
2022 Base Salary (Police Chief–Advance): $297,617
2022 Total Compensation (including overtime, cash-outs, housing/car allowances, butexcluding benefits): approximately $391,657
New 2025 Base Pay: $378,658
Palo Alto’s Highest-Paid Staff (2023)
Chief Binder was among the city’s top earners:
Police Chief Andrew Binder: $391,657
Behind only:
City Manager Ed Shikada: $413,330
Fire Capt. Matthew Goglio: $380,193
Compensation Trends
In 2020, as Assistant Police Chief, Binder earned $270,772 in total pay
As of his appointment in 2022, his base salary was structured at $295,484 with 200
hours of vacation—mirroring his predecessor’s terms
From:Aram James
To:Shikada, Ed; GRP-City Council; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Council, City; Diana Diamond;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Justin Zalkin; Veenker, Vicki; h.etzko@gmail.com; RobertaAhlquist; Lotus Fong; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Free Press; Kaloma Smith; Human RelationsCommission; Palo Alto Renters" Association
Subject:Life moves on the consent calendar for August 11, 2025
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 10:42:56 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
LifeMoves has faced criticism regarding its interim housing programs, particularly the
Mountain View site, which has influenced public perception of its new project in Palo Alto.()
Palo Alto’s Interim Housing Project
In June 2023, the Palo Alto City Council approved a nine-year lease with LifeMoves for an88-unit interim housing complex at 1237 San Antonio Road, near the Baylands. The project ismodeled after LifeMoves’ Mountain View site and aims to provide shelter and supportservices to unhoused individuals. The council approved the agreement despite concerns aboutLifeMoves’ track record with its transitional housing in Mountain View.
Community Feedback on LifeMoves’ Programs
Critics argue that LifeMoves’ interim housing model has not effectively met its goals. An
investigation found that the Mountain View program placed clients in permanent housing at asignificantly lower rate than other interim shelter programs in the county. Residents reported
issues such as insufficient support in finding housing, unaddressed grievances, and mishandledconflicts by staff.
Additionally, some residents of LifeMoves’ safe parking sites in San Jose expressed
dissatisfaction with the program. They reported tight rules, lack of supportive services, andinstances where residents were removed from the site for minor infractions. One resident
claimed that LifeMoves staff harassed her more than the police did when she was on thestreet.
City Council’s Perspective
Despite these concerns, Palo Alto’s City Council decided to move forward with the project,
emphasizing the need for interim housing solutions. Council members acknowledged thechallenges faced by LifeMoves but believed that the project could provide much-needed
shelter and support to unhoused individuals in the community.
Summary
Palo Alto’s Decision: The city approved LifeMoves’ interim housing project despiteconcerns about the nonprofit’s track record.()
Community Feedback: Residents have raised issues about LifeMoves’ programs,including low housing placement rates and concerns about staff conduct.()
City’s Stance: The City Council believes the project is a necessary step in addressinghomelessness, despite the challenges.()
From:Bob Gardiner
To:Council, City
Subject:San Franciscquito Creek
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 10:31:33 AM
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i
Dear City Council,
Maintaining our parks and open spaces should be top priority for establishing a
healthy quality of life.
To that end, can you please do something about the homeless people living in
Mitchell Park and the San Francisquito Creek at El Palo Alto Park.
They leave behind significant trash and ruin the environment for everyone.
Thank you!
This message needs your attention
No employee in your company has ever replied to this person.
This is a personal email address.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
From:Aram James
To:Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Diana Diamond; Braden Cartwright; Palo Alto Free Press;editor@paweekly.com; Shikada, Ed; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Veenker,Vicki; Ed Lauing; Reckdahl, Keith; Jeff Conrad; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Roberta Ahlquist;board@pausd.org; Yolanda Conaway
Subject:Consulting fees in Palo Alto—we need our city council to vet these fees and remove consulting fees over say $50
thousand from the consent calendar
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 10:25:29 AM
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City Council Must Push Back on Palo Alto’s Outrageous consulting fees. Check this week’s
consent calendar for consulting fees for our planning department etc.
You’re asking how much the City of Palo Alto spends annually on outside consultants.
According to recent local reporting:
A Palo Alto Online journalist noted that the city doesn’t appear to
have easily accessible aggregate figures for consultant spending
—and that even city officials, including the City Manager, didn’t
have an immediate answer when asked .
In 2024, the city spent approximately $27 million on consultant services. That includes
a wide range of consultancies—from planning and design to engineering, IT, litigationsupport, and more .
A separate report corroborated that figure, noting “consultants costing city $27 million ayear; councilwoman says they’re overused ‘a bit’” .
While these sources don’t break down consultant spending by department or project, they
confirm that consultant costs are substantial—hovering around the $27 million per year mark.
Why It’s Hard to Find Detailed Consultant Spending
The city’s annual budget documents, while publicly available (including the FY 2025operating and capital budgets, “Budget in Brief,” and Long‑Range Forecasts), do notinclude a centralized line item for consultant fees. Consultant expenses are insteadembedded in various project budgets, making it difficult to extract a total withoutcompiling data across numerous entries .
A Palo Alto Online journalist noted that the city doesn’t appear to have easilyaccessible aggregate figures for consultant spending—and that even city officials,including the City Manager, didn’t have an immediate answer when asked .
Summary
Estimated annual expenditure on outside consultants: Approximately $27 million (basedon 2024 data).
Visibility in budgeting documents: Not explicitly broken out—consultant costs aredistributed across various project and departmental line items.
Let me know if you’d like to dive into specific city projects or departments to estimate the
consultant portion, or explore trends over previous fiscal years!
From:Brigham Wilson
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for rezoning 332 Forest Ave
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 8:26:30 AM
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i
I am writing in support of rezoning 332 Forest avenue into PHZ in order to allow for theconstruction of 82 units. Our city needs new housing. A larger building matches the size and
density of the properties next door and across the street. This is the type of development that isperfect for downtown to help there continue to be residents that keep the neighborhood lively
and retail having customers who can walk to their stores. We need more developments likethis!
Brigham Wilson
9yr resident of Palo Alto
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to you.
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From:Palo Alto Daily Post
To:Yusra Hussain
Cc:Aram James; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gardener, Liz; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Vicki Veenker; Julie Lythcott-
Haims; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Rowena Chiu; board@pausd.org; Board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto;
Kaloma Smith; jessica@speiser.net; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; Lori
Meyers; Sheree Roth; Donna Wallach; Doug Minkler; Don Austin; Yolanda Conaway; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;
Supervisor Otto Lee; Seher Awan; Liz Kniss; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond;
vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Bryan Gobin; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Sameena
Usman; sammy@envirotekrestoration.com; Raymond Goins; Council, City; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green;
h.etzko@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; Bryan Gobin; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Michael Pati;
Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Patrice Ventresca; pat@patburt.org; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; Today
EPA; cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Vara Ramakrishnan; james pitkin; Gennady Sheyner;
Wagner, April; Justin Zalkin; ladoris cordell; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Michael
Ybarra; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; Miguel Rodriguez; Marty Wasserman; Pnina Abir-am;
Gizem Sivri; Palo Alto Free Press; city.council@menlopark.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner;
CityCouncil; CityCouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-
Haims, Julie; Figueroa, Eric; Cribbs, Anne; Lotus Fong; Betsy Nash; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; Pat M; Seher
Awan; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Cait James
Subject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 4:57:08 AM
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I received this email by accident. Please remove me from future emails.
Dave Price
On Aug 9, 2025, at 11:16 PM, Yusra Hussain <Yusrahussainmd@gmail.com>wrote:Hi Justin,
Thank you for your email. I highly recommend a book called Christ In theRubble in Munther Isaac. It’s an excellent perspective and one that’s shared bymany people who truly care about peace in the region.The author is a longtime Palestinian Christian who lives in the West Bank. I’mMuslim, and I can tell you, his perspective is also shared by many Muslims,Arabs and Palestinians. I make the distinction as many people don’t know thatthere are many Arab Christians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Best regards!
Yusra
Yusra Hussain, MDAdj. Clinical Assistant ProfessorStanford University School of Medicine 805 El Camino Real # APalo Alto, CA 94301Office: 650-328-1676Fax: 650-445-0911Checkout: Protectmedicare.net
On Aug 4, 2025, at 1:24 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>wrote:Hi Justin,
FYI: Here is a piece ( see below) I foundonline that raises some provocativequestions that might assist in openingup the discussion you are looking for. Ipersonally believe history will judgeHamas as quintessential freedomfighters -much like Nat Turner isviewed.
Nat Turner - Wikipediahttps://share.google/30FlrupfbpkbzMLdG I believe history will ultimately judgeIsrael as a terrorist state, an apartheidstate, a genocidal rogue state thatmust be eliminated.
Avram “Eliminate Israel Now” Finkelstein.
P.S. A one-state solution is the only just remedy.
Are Hezbollah and Hamas Terroristsor Freedom Fighters? Let’s Talk
Nuance
In many Western discussions, groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are quicklylabeled as "terrorists," with little room for nuance or consideration ofcontext. But is it really that simple?
These groups operate in asymmetrical conflicts against vastly more powerfulstates, often framing themselves as resistance movements fighting forliberation. Hezbollah, for example, emerged as a response to Israel’sinvasion of Lebanon, and many in the region see them as defenders of theirland. Hamas claims to resist Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank, afight many Palestinians feel is necessary for their survival and dignity.
Yes, their tactics—like targeting civilians—are condemned underinternational law, and those actions cannot be ignored. But at the sametime, we need to ask why these groups exist in the first place. Whatconditions of occupation, systemic oppression, and power imbalance giverise to them? Can we dismiss the context of ongoing displacement,blockades, and military aggression that fuels their support among oppressedpopulations?
International law acknowledges the right to resist occupation, yet non-stateactors in asymmetrical wars are held to standards that even powerful statesroutinely violate. When the global community calls one side terrorists butexcuses or justifies state violence that kills far more civilians, it raisesuncomfortable questions about double standards.
So, are they terrorists, freedom fighters, or something in between? Whatdoes it mean to fight for liberation in an asymmetrical conflict, and howshould the world frame these struggles?
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:Hear Rashad Khalidi today on Democracy Now. Amy Goodman
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this threadwho have differing perspectives. For the folks whothink Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire,what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what doyou anticipate Hamas would most likely do with aceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans ashorrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is
that a cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamasgoverning would not lead to a good long term outcome
for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others whohave studied the conflict in more detail think would
most likely happen if Hamas were to continuegoverning.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram
James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for thePalo Alto City Council in 2024, out of
nine total candidates, who had the courageto unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I
attended the council meeting that nightand remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry
Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and
starvation policy must stop, under UNarmed supervision, of course. Who is to
be the Ike who said, I will go to Koreaduring he 1952 election campaign,
achieved a cease fire, that holds to thisday, despite lack of a formal peace
treaty.
Best,
Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, MartinWasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>
wrote:>
> Henry,>
> One of my objections to “ceasefirenow” is that it places all of the onus on
Israel and demands nothing of Hamas,and gives Hamas breathing space to
regroup and rearm so they can continuetheir policy of killing Jews.
> > Marty
> >
>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM,Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
wrote:>>
>> Dear Marty>>
>> I have expressed my agreement inheron to Council on their general policy
of excluding foreign policy issuesHowever, like the attorney for the
holocaust victim who successfully askedthe US Supreme for a narrow exception
to the statute of limitations, I argued toCouncil that there are certain issues that
it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens totake a stand: Gaza cease fire now, is
one! See council video of severalmonths ago for my full statement.
>> >> Best,
>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM,
Martin Wasserman<deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:
>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city
government to weigh in on foreignpolicy issues, especially in highly
volatile areas like the Middle East. Suchcontroversial resolutions change nothing
in the Middle East and only promoteconflict at home. Unless of course the
goal is precisely to create conflict athome.
>>> >>> Martin Wasserman
>>> >>>
>>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM,Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
wrote:>>>>
>>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your
critique: cease fire requires repetition ,will include in writings this topic until
achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net
>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM,
Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> >>>>> Ok!
>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM,
Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and
permanent treaty above and beyond.Aram, who was present, can assure you
that I requested each council memberindividually and publicly to commit
Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Videosupposed to be available at city website.
>>>>>> >>>>>> Best
>>>>>> Henry>>>>>>
>>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM,
Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a
ceasefire? Less abstract, moreconcrete...?
>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM,
Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s
Governmental bureaucracy under aninnocuous title, a “collective Eichmann”
is at work meticulously designing the“crime of the new century” the
systematic destruction the civilinstitutional environment of
universities, businesses, and housing,with the intent and objective of
atomizing the citizens of GAZAPalestine into a controllable mass.
Attendant nutrition deprivation is anoverlay on institutional and
organizational deprivation, conducted inMediterranean sunlight and
international, if not Israeli, full mediagaze. Rather than the inside pages of
the New York Times where vGermany’s 20th century holocaust was
relegated, this rolling, escalatinggenocide is on the front pages of the
newspaper of record where all news thatfits is published, sometimes ironically
overshadowed by food recipes in theInternet Edition. The international
community, led by Europe where theHolocaust was originated, collaborated,
condoned and only sometimes resistedin the last century, must mitigate its
indelible moral stain by heading off theNetenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a
Jewish state founded on the ashes of theholocaust could have been given such
leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’sCambodia. Who will be the future
Hannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquityof evil?
>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely
>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow
>>>>>>>> University of London,Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation
Management Research>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for
Environmental and Social Justice, 644Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025
>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vsElon Musk et al Case number
24CV450485 Superior Court ofCalifornia County of California,
Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth FirstStreet, San Jose CA 95113 civil division
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>
>> >
From:Aram James
To:Shikada, Ed; Council, City; h.etzko@gmail.com; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today;Braden Cartwright; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight
Subject:Palo Alto huge Pers debt
Date:Sunday, August 10, 2025 12:09:08 AM
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While I couldn’t locate department-level CalPERS retiree counts (like retired police officers
per city), here’s what emerged from available sources—especially focusing on Palo Alto,which had the most transparency:
The General Fund allocates a significant proportion—~60%—to
essential services like police and fire .
CalPERS & Pension Data Insights
Palo Alto’s CalPERS Pension Shortfall:
As of June 2022, the city’s pension shortfall reached $553 million, reflecting itsunfunded accrued liability .
The city was funding only about 63.8% of projected pension costs; with a city-funded reserve of $54 million, that improves funding to 67.3% .
Payments in the most recent fiscal year: ~$16.5 million for current employees and~$43 million toward closing the pension shortfall .
Notably, the police and fire pension programs are projected to reach 90% fundingby fiscal year 2037 (for police & firefighters) and 2034 for other city employees .
Palo Alto’s Historical Pension Gap:
The city’s pension gap has steadily widened: from ~$250 million in 2014,climbing to ~$415 million by 2017, and then $456 million in 2018 .
At that time, the city had only 62% of needed funds for police and firefighters,and 66% for other employees .
This gap remained a major financial focus in city budgets and reports .
Pension Structure in Palo Alto:
The city administers its operating budgets (including PERS contributions) via
publicly available Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFRs) and long-range forecasts .
The General Fund allocates a significant proportion—~60%—to essential serviceslike police and fire .
Summary & Next Steps
Summary: We don’t yet have a clear count of retired police officers by city or department.However, available budget data—particularly for Palo Alto—shows the city is wrestling with
significant CalPERS pension liabilities, especially for police and fire services.
From:Aram James
To:Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Gennady Sheyner; Gardener, Liz; Lotus Fong; Roberta Ahlquist;james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Perron, Zachary; Wagner, April
Cc:Sean Allen; Pat M; Raymond Goins; Emily Mibach; EPA Today; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com
Subject:Whitest cities in Santa Clara County?
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 11:22:47 PM
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Here are three of the “whitest” cities in Santa Clara County, based on the highest percentageof residents identifying as non‑Hispanic White according to recent data:
1.
Morgan Hill
— approximately
57.9% non‑Hispanic White
Morgan Hill stands out with a notably higher proportion of non‑Hispanic White residentscompared to larger cities in the county.
2.
Gilroy
— approximately
52.0% White (all races)
Gilroy has over half of its population identifying as White, making it among the whitest in
both absolute share and proportion.
3.
Mountain View
— about
48.0% White
Mountain View also has a relatively high proportion of White residents compared to manyother cities in the county.
Additional Context
Los Gatos had about 71.7% White population according to 2022 ACS estimates .However, that figure may include Hispanic Whites and isn’t specified as non‑HispanicWhite. Without that distinction, it’s hard to compare apples to apples across cities.
Palo Alto also appears high (around 51.8% White) , but again, the exact breakdown(Hispanic vs. non‑Hispanic White) isn’t clearly detailed for direct comparison.
If your interest is specifically in non‑Hispanic White percentages, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, andMountain View are the top three identifiable from the available data. If you’re curious aboutthe breakdown in other cities like Los Gatos or Palo Alto, or if you’d like to explore changesover time or in absolute numbers, I’d be happy to dive de
From:Aram James
To:Stump, Molly; Clerk, City; Shikada, Ed; h.etzko@gmail.com; Palo Alto Free Press; Emily Mibach; GennadySheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; Binder, Andrew; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Sean Allen; Pat M; Wagner, April; Barberini, Christopher; Enberg, Nicholas;Figueroa, Eric; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Foley, Michael; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith;dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Lotus Fong; Roberta Ahlquist; Baker, Rob; Robert.Jonson@shf.sccgov.org; JenniferMorrow San José Spotlight; Jensen, Eric; Drekmeier, Peter; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; Burt,Patrick; Reckdahl, Keith; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras; Jasso, Tamara; Raymond Goins;rabrica@cityofepa.org; cromero@cityofepa.org; PD Kristina Bell; Council, City
Subject:PRA request and supplement
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 10:27:28 PM
Attachments:California Public Records Act Request re Andrew Binder.docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
California Public Records Act Request
8/9/25
Hi Molly, (Palo Alto City Attorney, Molly Stump)
Following some additional legal research, I would like to supplement my CPRA request of
August 9, 2025, with further legal authority.
1. On the compensation issue for Andrew Binder, salary and other forms of compensation,
right of community members, press, and others to obtain such data, see Sacramento
County Employees Retirement System v Superior Court,
195 Cal App 4th 440 (2011).
2. In reference to obtaining information on the hours Chief Andrew Binder spends in Palo
Alto carrying out his responsibilities as police chief, I am seeking to determine if the people
of Palo Alto are paying approximately $400,000 a year
for a chief who is only working part-time, in part due to the Chief Binder living in Morgan
Hill, or if Binder's hours on the Job reflect he is working full time in Palo Alto despite his
long daily commute to and from Morgan Hill to Palo Alto and back each day. As you know,
in circa 2021, Government Code section 7922.600 (a) was added to the Public Record Act.
This code section requires government agencies to proactively assist members of the
public and others in locating the appropriate records and to provide suggestions for
overcoming any practical basis for denying access to the records or information sought.
3. I am hereby requesting that I receive all of the assistance legally required by
Government Code Section 7922.600 (a).
Sincerely,
Aram James
1. Why does our Police Chief," Mr. Community Policing," Andrew Binder, live in Morgan Hill?
2. In the case of an earthquake, a mass shooting, or any of numerous other emergencies requiringfirst responders, where will Andrew Binder be? In Morgan Hill?
3. Does Andrew Binder really deserve to be the second-highest-paid employee in our city, right
behind City Manager Ed Shikada? At least City Manager Shikada lives in Palo Alto. We are talkinga salary for Binder, including benefits, of $400,000. How can Palo Alto possibly survive withgiveaway salaries like Binder is receiving? Where is Greg Tanaka now that we need him? Whyisn't our city council reining in these outrageous, unsustainable salaries? What percentage of our city
budget goes to law enforcement?
California Public Records Request
4. Pursuant to the California Records Act, I am requesting the following: (a) Any and all records inpossession of the city of Palo Alto reflecting how many hours per week, per month, per year, from
September 1, 2022 to August 1, 2025, that Chief Binder is in Palo Alto performing his duties aspolice chief. Is Chief Binder in Palo Alto at least 40 hours per week?
4 (a) Chief Binder’s current annual salary, including benefits.
5. I am happy to work with the Palo Alto City Clerk, City Attorney, or other city employeesresponsible for carrying out (administering-implementing) the mandate of the California PublicRecords Act, Gov't Code && 7920.000-7931.000. I can help out in narrowing my requests if
necessary.
6. The CPRA is designed to be user-friendly and to allow community members and governmentagencies to collaborate to guarantee that those requesting government records receive the broadest
set of records allowed under the CPRA. (C) The CPRA is construed broadly in favor of disclosure,with exemptions narrowly construed. Note: agencies bear the burden to justify withholdingrecords under the CPRA, CBS V. Block 42 Cal. 3d 646 (1986)
*** “ Law enforcement officers carry upon their shoulders the cloak of authority to enforcethe laws of the state. In order to maintain trust in its police department, the public must be
kept fully informed of the activities of its peace officers. Bradbury v. Superior Court 4 Cal App
4th 1108, 1116 (1996)”
**** “ From the vantage of the harried public servant, exposure to public scrutiny andcriticism may hamper and upset the day-to-day operation of a governmental agency. Thus,the bureaucrat is often sorely tempted to preclude public disclosure by invoking theprivilege of confidentiality…” New York Times Company v. Superior Court of Santa
Barbara County 52 Cal. App 4th 97, (1997)
Submitted by Aram James on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Abjpd1@gmail.com 415-370-5056
California Public Records Act Request
1. Why does our Police Chief," Mr. Community Policing," Andrew Binder, live in Morgan Hill?
2. In the case of an earthquake, a mass shooting, or any of numerous other emergencies requiring first responders, where will Andrew Binder be? In Morgan Hill? 3. Does Andrew Binder really deserve to be the second-highest-paid employee in our city, right behind City Manager Ed Shikada? At least City Manager Shikada lives in Palo Alto. We are talking a salary for Binder, including benefits, of $400,000. How can Palo Alto possibly survive
with giveaway salaries like Binder is receiving? Where is Greg Tanaka now that we need him? Why isn't our city council reining in these outrageous, unsustainable salaries? What percentage of our city budget goes to law enforcement? California Public Records Request 4. Pursuant to the California Records Act, I am requesting the following: (a) Any and all records
in possession of the city of Palo Alto reflecting how many hours per week, per month, per year, from September 1, 2022 to August 1, 2025, that Chief Binder is in Palo Alto performing his duties as police chief. Is Chief Binder in Palo Alto at least 40 hours per week?
4 (a) Chief Binder’s current annual salary including benefits. 5. I am happy to work with the Palo Alto City Clerk, City Attorney, or other city employees responsible for carrying out (administering-implementing) the mandate of the California Public Records Act, Gov't Code && 7920.000-7931.000. I can assist in narrowing my requests if necessary. 6. The CPRA is designed to be user-friendly and to allow community members and government agencies to collaborate to guarantee that those requesting government records receive the broadest set of records allowed under the CPRA. (C) The CPRA is construed broadly in favor of
disclosure with exemptions narrowly construed. Note: agencies bear the burden to justify withholding records under the CPRA, CBS V. Block 42 Cal. 3d 646 (1986)
*** “ Law enforcement officers carry upon their shoulders the cloak of authority to
enforce the laws of the state. In order to maintain trust in its police department, the public must be kept fully informed of the activities of its peace officers. Bradbury v. Superior Court 4 Cal App 4th 1108, 1116 (1996)”
**** “ From the vantage of the harried public servant, exposure to public scrutiny and criticism may hamper and upset the day-to-day operation of a governmental agency. Thus, the bureaucrat is often sorely tempted to preclude public disclosure by invoking the privilege of confidentiality…” New York Times Company v. Superior Court of
Santa Barbara County 52 Cal. App 4th 97, (1997)
Submitted by Aram James on Saturday August 9, 2025. Abjpd1@gmail.com 415-370-5056
From:Yusra Hussain
To:Aram James
Cc:Guilherme Ary Plonski; Gardener, Liz; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; Vicki Veenker; Julie Lythcott-Haims; Nicole
Chiu-Wang; Rowena Chiu; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Kaloma Smith;
jessica@speiser.net; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; Roberta Ahlquist; ParkRec Commission; Lori Meyers; Sheree
Roth; Donna Wallach; Doug Minkler; Don Austin; Yolanda Conaway; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Supervisor Otto
Lee; Seher Awan; Liz Kniss; Dave Price; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; Diana Diamond;
vramirez@redwoodcity.org; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Bryan Gobin; Salem Ajluni; Sean Allen; Sameena
Usman; sammy@envirotekrestoration.com; Raymond Goins; Council, City; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green;
h.etzko@gmail.com; Human Relations Commission; Bryan Gobin; frances.Rothschild@jud.ca.gov; Michael Pati;
Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; Patrice Ventresca; pat@patburt.org; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; Today
EPA; cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Vara Ramakrishnan; james pitkin; Gennady Sheyner;
Wagner, April; Justin Zalkin; ladoris cordell; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Michael
Ybarra; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; Miguel Rodriguez; Marty Wasserman; Pnina Abir-am;
Gizem Sivri; Palo Alto Free Press; city.council@menlopark.gov; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner;
CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-
Haims, Julie; Figueroa, Eric; Cribbs, Anne; Lotus Fong; Betsy Nash; Binder, Andrew; Josh Becker; Pat M; Seher
Awan; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; Cait James
Subject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 8:17:06 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Hi Justin,
Thank you for your email. I highly recommend a book called Christ In the Rubble in Munther
Isaac. It’s an excellent perspective and one that’s shared by many people who truly care aboutpeace in the region.
The author is a longtime Palestinian Christian who lives in the West Bank. I’m Muslim, and Ican tell you, his perspective is also shared by many Muslims, Arabs and Palestinians. I make
the distinction as many people don’t know that there are many Arab Christians in Gaza and theWest Bank.
Best regards!
Yusra
Yusra Hussain, MD
Adj. Clinical Assistant ProfessorStanford University School of Medicine
805 El Camino Real # APalo Alto, CA 94301
Office: 650-328-1676Fax: 650-445-0911
Checkout: Protectmedicare.net
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
On Aug 4, 2025, at 1:24 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
FYI: Here is a piece ( see below) I found onlinethat raises some provocative questions thatmight assist in opening up the discussion youare looking for. I personally believe history willjudge Hamas as quintessential freedomfighters -much like Nat Turner is viewed.
Nat Turner - Wikipedia https://share.google/30FlrupfbpkbzMLdG I believe history will ultimately judge Israel asa terrorist state, an apartheid state, agenocidal rogue state that must beeliminated.
Avram “Eliminate Israel Now” Finkelstein.
P.S. A one-state solution is the only just remedy.
Are Hezbollah and Hamas Terrorists orFreedom Fighters? Let’s Talk Nuance
In many Western discussions, groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are quickly labeled as"terrorists," with little room for nuance or consideration of context. But is it really thatsimple?
These groups operate in asymmetrical conflicts against vastly more powerful states, oftenframing themselves as resistance movements fighting for liberation. Hezbollah, forexample, emerged as a response to Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, and many in the regionsee them as defenders of their land. Hamas claims to resist Israeli occupation in Gaza and
the West Bank, a fight many Palestinians feel is necessary for their survival and dignity.
Yes, their tactics—like targeting civilians—are condemned under international law, andthose actions cannot be ignored. But at the same time, we need to ask why these groupsexist in the first place. What conditions of occupation, systemic oppression, and powerimbalance give rise to them? Can we dismiss the context of ongoing displacement,blockades, and military aggression that fuels their support among oppressed populations?
International law acknowledges the right to resist occupation, yet non-state actors inasymmetrical wars are held to standards that even powerful states routinely violate. Whenthe global community calls one side terrorists but excuses or justifies state violence thatkills far more civilians, it raises uncomfortable questions about double standards.
So, are they terrorists, freedom fighters, or something in between? What does it mean tofight for liberation in an asymmetrical conflict, and how should the world frame thesestruggles?
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 9:41 AM Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com>wrote:Hear Rashad Khalidi today on Democracy Now. Amy Goodman
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who havediffering perspectives. For the folks who think Israel shouldimmediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives onHamas? And what do you anticipate Hamas would most likely dowith a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible(regardless of who is to blame). My fear is that a cessation ofhostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a goodlong term outcome for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curious whatothers who have studied the conflict in more detail think wouldmost likely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James
<abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo AltoCity Council in 2024, out of nine total candidates, who
had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. Iattended the council meeting that night and remember
your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policymust stop, under UN armed supervision, of course.
Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Koreaduring he 1952 election campaign, achieved a cease
fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of a formalpeace treaty.
Best,
Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman<deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:
> > Henry,
> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it
places all of the onus on Israel and demands nothingof Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space to
regroup and rearm so they can continue their policyof killing Jews.
> > Marty
> >
>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> Dear Marty
>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to
Council on their general policy of excluding foreignpolicy issues However, like the attorney for the
holocaust victim who successfully asked the USSupreme for a narrow exception to the statute of
limitations, I argued to Council that there are certainissues that it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens to
take a stand: Gaza cease fire now, is one! Seecouncil video of several months ago for my full
statement.>>
>> Best,>> Hillel
>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, MartinWasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:
>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city
government to weigh in on foreign policy issues,especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle
East. Such controversial resolutions change nothingin the Middle East and only promote conflict at
home. Unless of course the goal is precisely to createconflict at home.
>>> >>> Martin Wasserman
>>> >>>
>>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>>> Ps
>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: ceasefire requires repetition , will include in writings this
topic until achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net
>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta
Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>
>>>>> Ok!>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>
>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, HenryEtzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty
above and beyond. Aram, who was present, canassure you that I requested each council member
individually and publicly to commit Palo Alto tocall for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at
city website. >>>>>>
>>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry
>>>>>> >>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, RobertaAhlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less
abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, HenryEtzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental
bureaucracy under an innocuous title, a “collectiveEichmann” is at work meticulously designing the
“crime of the new century” the systematicdestruction the civil institutional environment of
universities, businesses, and housing, with the intentand objective of atomizing the citizens of GAZA
Palestine into a controllable mass. Attendantnutrition deprivation is an overlay on institutional
and organizational deprivation, conducted inMediterranean sunlight and international, if not
Israeli, full media gaze. Rather than the inside pagesof the New York Times where v Germany’s 20th
century holocaust was relegated, this rolling,escalating genocide is on the front pages of the
newspaper of record where all news that fits ispublished, sometimes ironically overshadowed by
food recipes in the Internet Edition. The internationalcommunity, led by Europe where the Holocaust was
originated, collaborated, condoned and onlysometimes resisted in the last century, must mitigate
its indelible moral stain by heading off theNetenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state
founded on the ashes of the holocaust could havebeen given such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s
Cambodia. Who will be the future Hannah Arendtto chronicle the ubiquity of evil?
>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely
>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow
>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College,Centre for Innovation Management Research
>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors forEnvironmental and Social Justice, 644 Menlo
Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk
et al Case number 24CV450485 Superior Court ofCalifornia County of California, Downtown
Courthouse 191 Notth First Street, San Jose CA95113 civil division
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>
>> >
From:Annette Glanckopf
To:Council, City
Subject:pre-screening for 4256 ECR
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 7:32:24 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Lauing and Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256 El
Camino Real. The development was discussed at a PAN meeting, and I am
sympathetic with the plight of the neighbors.
This is overdevelopment is the worst way. It is my understanding that the Redwoods
property used to be a redwood nursery, thus the beautiful trees. When the Redwoods
complex was built, it was carefully constructed around the redwoods to preserve them
and to provide a peaceful environment. Now this is threatened.
The proposed boxy, out of scale, oversized building at 4256 El Camino Real will
negatively impact the values all Palo Altans want to enjoy: privacy, daylight plane,
sight lines, and adequate setbacks to allow for light and air and minimize congestion.
As you know, the development proposal is for a 6 story, 80 + foot high project next to
the Redwoods complex. It is hard to believe that the setbacks, next to the neighbors,
are only 6 feet with no daylight plane requirement. Just imagine living next to that a
few feet away from your home. Furthermore it is my understanding that 4 HERITAGEredwoods would have to be removed for the development. These beautiful trees
need to be preserved.
Please ensure that full residential protections be applied to the Redwoods - limit theheight, daylight planes, and additional aspects of what can be built near them.
Please listen to neighbor's concerns and insist that the developer go back to the
drawing board and adjust the proposal to something we can all be proud of.
Thank you.
Annette GlanckopfMidtown
From:Pat Markevitch
To:Council, City
Subject:Proposed development on the former Su Hong site
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 4:38:27 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
Dear Mayor Lauing and Council Members:
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256 El Camino Real. This
development is an out of scale, oversized building which will negatively impact the lives of the residents who reside
at the Palo Alto Redwoods due to lack of adequate parking (leading to spillover). It will block open sky views,
overlook their homes and pool, and is out of scale with the surrounding neighborhood.
Thank your for your time.
Pat Markevitc
From:Karen White
To:Council, City
Subject:Support for 332 Forest Ave. Development
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 4:09:12 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Hon. Members of the Palo Alto City Council:
My husband and I are writing to you in support of the proposed development at 332Forest Ave. This support comes with a strong caveat that the number of non-resident parking
permits in zone 5 be reduced by at least 50%.
First, the proposed structure would blend in well with the tall rental buildings that are veryclose to the proposed development. We agree that we need more housinging in University
South and appreciate the number of parking spaces that the developers have provided.
However, to pay the very high rent in University South (we have been homeowners for 30+years), you usually need two jobs and two cars. The construction of these apartments and the
new residents will require dozens of additional parking spaces in the University South area.
Our home is within a few hundred yards of the development, and we have two cars and onlyone parking space, so one must park on the street. It is usually hard to find a space, as the
restaurant patrons and the nonresident/employee permit holders park it all up.
So, please approve this building, but recommend that the authorities reduce the number ofnon-resident parking permits in zone 5. There are lots of spaces a few more blocks away that
are often unused. We believe that property owners should have a better chance of finding aparking space in their own block.
Respectfully,
Karen White and Patrick Butler
700 Block of Ramona Street, University South
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to you.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
From:Aram James
To:Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright;Gennady Sheyner; h.etzko@gmail.com; Jay Boyarsky; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Gennady Sheyner; HumanRelations Commission; Kaloma Smith; Sean Allen; dennis burns; DuJuan Green; Rowena Chiu; Barberini,Christopher; Pat M; james pitkin; Burt, Patrick; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission;PD Kristina Bell; Bill Newell; Roberta Ahlquist; Raymond Goins; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Jeff Conrad;pat@patburt.org; Reckdahl, Keith; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; cromero@cityofepa.org;rabrica@cityofepa.org; Gerry Gras; Dana St. George; <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Foley, Michael;Figueroa, Eric; Lee, Craig; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Enberg, Nicholas; dcombs@menlopark.gov; Nash,Betsy; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; Afanasiev, Alex; HenryEtzkowitz; Lotus Fong; Linda Jolley
Subject:police_dogs needed ? August 29, 2022
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 3:39:06 PM
Attachments:police_dogs needed August 29, 2022 on Andrew Binder.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hopefully, we can discuss the progress, if any, that Chief Binder and staff have made towards
the items I listed in the attached article written three years ago shortly after Binder wasappointed police chief.
1. permanently removing police attack canines from the PAPD.
2. Shelving Tasers.
3. Vetted his police staff to rid the PAPD of any white nationalists.
4. Integrated his all Caucasian aka white command staff?
5. Set up a citizen police advisory committee subject to Brown Act so members of the public
can attend in person or by Zoom.
*****I anticipate giving the chief a grade for any progress he has made
toward my very short list of concerns. Of course there are many other
police practice reforms we need to discuss.
Aram
From:Aram James
To:Stump, Molly; Shikada, Ed; Council, City
Subject:Re: police_dogs needed August 29, 2022 on Andrew Binder
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 3:27:54 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hopefully, we can discuss the progress, if any, that Chief Binder and staff have madetowards the items I listed in the attached article written three years ago shortly after Binder
was appointed police chief.
1. permanently removing police attack canines from the PAPD.
2. Shelving Tasers.
3. Vetted his police staff to rid the PAPD of any white nationalists.
4. Integrated his all Caucasian aka white command staff?
5. Set up a citizen police advisory committee subject to Brown Act so members of the publiccan attend in person or by Zoom.
From:Aram James
To:Stump, Molly; Shikada, Ed; Council, City
Subject:Re: police_dogs needed August 29, 2022 on Andrew Binder
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 3:21:45 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
On Sat, Aug 9, 2025 at 3:19 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Hopefully, we can discuss the progress, if any, that Chief Binder and staff have madetowards the items I listed in the attached article written three years ago shortly after Binder
was appointed police chief.
1. permanently removing police attack canines from the PAPD.
2. Shelving Tasers.
3. Vetted his police staff to rid the PAPD of any white nationalists.
4. Integrated his all Caucasian aka white command staff?
5. Set up a citizen police advisory committee subject to Brown Act so members of the publiccan attend in person or by Zoom.
From:Aram James
To:Stump, Molly; Shikada, Ed; Council, City
Subject:police_dogs needed August 29, 2022 on Andrew Binder
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 3:19:49 PM
Attachments:police_dogs needed August 29, 2022 on Andrew Binder.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hopefully, we can discuss the progress, if any, that Chief Binder and staff have made towardsthe items I listed in the attached article written three years ago shortly after Binder was
appointed police chief.
1. permanently removing police attack canines from the PAPD.
2. Shelving Tasers.
3. Vetted his police staff to rid the PAPD of any white nationalists.
4. Integrated his all Caucasian aka white command staff?
5. Set up a citizen police advisory committee subject to Brown Act so members of the publiccan attend in person or by Zoom.
From:Washington, Jeannette
To:Tram Bui; Thoa Bui
Cc:Macartney, Cody; Council, City; Gerhardt, Jodie
Subject:Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 1:58:15 PM
Attachments:Outlook-yxywnh0f.pngOutlook-omnrtr0g.pngOutlook-ig.pngOutlook-FB.pngOutlook-u32qyh2j.pngOutlook-FB.pngOutlook-ig.png
Hi Tram,
Our department understands your urgency to open. The final inspection was originally set for
8/8 for the planned 8/9 opening but, at Thoa’s request, moved to Sunday, 8/10. I confirmed
that date, though she noted the 9:30 AM–4:00 PM window may be challenging to
work around.
In a follow up email, I suggested 8/15 as an alternative to allow more time to complete the
setup of both the front cat housing areas, including the new rolling kennels (replacing the
originally planned built-in kennels) in back-area along with a displayed playpen. On 8/10, I will
be working solo from 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, and emergency calls must take priority. Which us
what occurred on 7/28, when an emergency rescue and investigation involving a mom dog
with her six 9-week-old puppies that delayed my 10-2pm appointment arrival by six minutes.
At the time of the inspection, ongoing renovations were yet to be completed, back kennels
were not installed, and the areas the kittens are to be housed in weren’t set up and ready for
use. The permit could not be approved.
Regarding the short notice for an inspection, and although Animal Control’s application was
dated 6/1 and submitted to the Planning department on 5/29 along with their paperwork.
Unfortunately, our department did not receive the application directly and was only recently
received on 7/22 from Planning. Which we requested due to not having heard of any updates
from anyone. On 7/25 (when back on duty) I scheduled the appointment for 7/28 inspection.
We were able to perform an inspection in a short amount of time.
In an email dated 7/15, Cody attached an updated July 1, 2025 application form reflecting the
new fees effective on that date and requested that your application be submitted directly to
jeannettewashington. Please be advised, the application that was submitted listed last year’s
fee of $219.00, we will honor that amount for this year. The 2026 renewal fee will be $384.00
and is subject to change in future fiscal years.
If you are confident both areas will be fully set up on 8/10, we will proceed with that date
between 9:30 AM–4:00 PM, understanding priority call may cause delays. If I am delayed, I
will contact you.
Regards,
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 6:47 PM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>;
Council, City <city.council@PaloAlto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
!
This message could be suspicious
The sender's email address couldn't be verified.
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Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for the clarification and for scheduling the inspection. While we understand thepermit process must be completed prior to opening, the urgency on our end remains high as
we are at capacity and continuing to receive requests from the public and other shelters to takein more kittens.
Since every day makes a difference for these animals, we’re prepared to accommodate theinspection this Sunday to expedite the process. This will allow us to meet the city’s
requirements while also ensuring we can continue supporting the community.As a reminder, during the last inspection request—which was made last minute on your end—
we adjusted our schedule to accommodate, and you arrived later than expected. To avoid anyunnecessary downtime for our team and the kittens in our care, please call me at 408-421-7489
prior to arriving so we can be ready to meet you promptly.City Council has been cc’d on this email for visibility.
Please confirm if Sunday will work so we can finalize preparations accordingly.Thank you,
Tram BuiCo-founder
Mini Cat Town
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Hello Tram,
I understand the need to open as soon as possible; however, re-inspection is required, and
the permit process must be fully completed prior to opening.
The inspection will include both the front and back areas designated for housing cats, which
must be completely set up and ready for use. This includes the rolling kennels, an example
playpen on display, and any other designated cat housing areas. With that being said, I’d
like to schedule the inspection for 8/15 between 9:30-4pm. This will give your organization
additional time to complete the full setup without being rushed for an inspection on 8/10.
As a refresher, I am including the city’s municipal codes that pertain to pet shops and permit
for your reference.
4.59.080 Permit required - Pet shop and boarding kennel.
Every person who owns a pet shop or boarding kennel shall secure a permit for operation
of same. The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in the municipal fee schedule.
Conditions to secure the purposes of this chapter may be imposed upon a permit at the
time of issuance or such later date that the superintendent of animal control deems
necessary. Unannounced routine inspections of the pet shop or boarding kennel shall be
required by the superintendent of animal control to insure compliance with this chapter.
Such inspections shall be an automatic condition of permit approval.
(Ord. 4453 § 36 (part), 1997: Ord. 3257 § 6 (part), 1981)
6.20.110 Number of cats.
(a) No person shall keep or maintain more than three cats at any street address within
the city unless the person, family or group of persons keeping or maintaining such cats is
operating a bona fide animal clinic or hospital or a duly licensed pet shop, cat kennel, circus,
carnival, traveling show, menagerie, or cat exhibition at such street address.
(b) No person shall keep or maintain more than one unspayed female cat at any street
address within the city unless the person, family, or group of persons keeping or maintaining
such cats is operating a bona fide animal hospital or a duly licensed pet shop, cat kennel,
circus, carnival, traveling show, menagerie, or cat exhibition at such street address.
(Ord. 4453 § 40, 1997: Ord. 3257 § 5 (part), 1981)
Thank you,
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 10:54 AM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette and Cody,I wanted to check if this inspection needs to be completed prior to our opening date. We livequite a distance from Palo Alto, and the 9:30–4:00 window is a bit challenging to workaround, especially as we are currently caring for some sick kittens from the public.We’re aiming for an August 16th opening, but ideally we’d like to bring kittens in as soon aspossible. We’re overflowing with kittens, and our fosters are waiting to drop off at PaloAlto. The public and other shelters are also asking us to take in more, but we need to free upfoster space first.Please let us know the best path forward so we can plan accordingly.Sincerely,
Tram BuiCo-founder
Mini Cat Town
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Morning Thoa,
Yes, I'm available on 8/10 between 9:30 -4pm. However, I'm solo on Sunday and
emergency calls take priority.
Is your opening still on the 9th or has the opening date been moved?
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:59 PM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: trambui@minicattown.org <trambui@minicattown.org>; Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Becautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Our rolling kennels will be in by Sunday morning if 8/10, would you be able to come forinspection on Sunday 8/10? Please let me know when you have a chance, thank you.
Sincerely,
Thoa Bui
Mini Cat Town
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:15 AM, Washington, Jeannette<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Hello Thoa,
I’d like to ensure that both the front and back areas designated for housing
cats are set up and ready to make use of.
I understand that your enclosures are currently being built—could you please
let me know when they are expected to be completed and installed? A final
inspection of those enclosures will need to be completed as well.
<Outlook-q1byz1ld.png> Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
<Outlook-FB.png> <Outlook-ig.png>
From: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:28 AM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: trambui@minicattown.org <trambui@minicattown.org>; Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for stopping by to check out the space yesterday. We had talkedabout playpens being set up for quarantine kittens that were yet not up.Attached is a photo of a playpen. Please note that they are only up whenkittens need quarantining. We’ve done this before for kittens on bitequarantine at our Stanford location.
We can set one up for you to come back for another inspection if needed.Please let me know when you have a chance. I’d like to schedule anotherinspection as soon as possible so that our permit can be approved.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town
<image0.jpeg>
On Jul 27, 2025, at 10:52 AM, Mini Cat Town<minicattown@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Jeannette,
Yes, this works, see you tomorrow, 7/28 between 10am and2pm.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town408-421-7526 (cell)
On Jul 27, 2025, at 7:29 AM, Washington, Jeannette<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Morning Tram and Thoa,
Our department just received your permit
application late last week, although it was dated
6/1/25.
With that in mind, I’d like to schedule an
appointment for an inspection of the new location
on Monday, 7/28, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Please confirm whether this date and time work for
you.
Thank you,
<Outlook-ho4pcgq5.png> Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police
Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
<Outlook-FB.png> <Outlook-ig.png>
From: Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:59 PM
To: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>;
Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui
<trambui@minicattown.org>;
thibui@minicattown.org <thibui@minicattown.org>;
Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>;
Corpos, Orshi <Orshi.Corpos@paloalto.gov>; Sauls,
Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@paloalto.gov>; McKay, Scott
<Scott.McKay@paloalto.gov>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa
<Elisa.Vargas@PaloAlto.gov>
Subject: RE: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Got it, thanks Jodie.
@Tram Bui the animal permit portion is separate
and should be sent to my department. However,
we’ll leave it at the last bit because its likely less
involved than the Planning Department side of
things. Please return the application when ready to
@Washington, Jeannette.
Thank you!
Cody
<image004.png>
Cody Macartney #4855
Lead Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police
Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 | c: 650.656.5292 | 24hr
650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol | @paloaltoac
<image005.png>
<image007.png>
From: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:54 PM
To: Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>;
Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui
<trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.org
Cc: Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>;
Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>; Corpos, Orshi
<Orshi.Corpos@paloalto.gov>; Sauls, Garrett
<Garrett.Sauls@paloalto.gov>; McKay, Scott
<Scott.McKay@paloalto.gov>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa
<Elisa.Vargas@PaloAlto.gov>
Subject: RE: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Cody - It looks like Mini Cat Town has uploadeddocuments to our system, but they are not fully
submitted as additional information is requiredbefore we can start our review.
<image008.png>
Mini Cat Town Owners – the request for additional
information on the Building permit was over 1.5months ago, so please let us know if you have
questions. For additional information, see the
Tenant Improvement Checklist and the SignChecklist.
Sincerely,
<image009.png>Jodie Gerhardt (she/her),AICPDevelopment Center Manager
Planning and DevelopmentServices Department285 Hamilton Avenue, PaloAlto, CA 94301(650) 329-2575 |jodie.gerhardt@paloalto.govwww.paloalto.gov
From: Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 3:48 PM
To: Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui
<trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.org
Cc: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>;
Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>;
Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Hi everyone,
It’s been a while since I have received an update, and
I see from social media that the new Mini Cat Town
on Cal Ave is progressing! We have not yet received
a permit application for the new location. Please
keep us in the loop and make sure the permit is
obtained prior to the beginning of operations. I have
attached the most recent permit application for your
reference.
Thank you!
Cody
<image010.png>
Cody Macartney #4855
Lead Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police
Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 | c: 650.656.5292 | 24hr
650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol | @paloaltoac
<image005.png>
<image007.png>
From:Aram James
To:Stump, Molly; Clerk, City; Gennady Sheyner; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; h.etzko@gmail.com; RobertaAhlquist; Palo Alto Free Press; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Jennifer Morrow SanJosé Spotlight; Sean Allen; Pat M; Jeff Conrad; Jay Boyarsky; Council, City; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan;Raymond Goins; Binder, Andrew; james pitkin
Cc:Reifschneider, James; Wagner, April; Perron, Zachary; Barberini, Christopher; Bill Newell; PD Kristina Bell;
vramirez@redwoodcity.org; GRP-City Council; Linda Jolley; Afanasiev, Alex; Enberg, Nicholas;
<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Foley, Michael; Figueroa, Eric; Jensen, Eric; Lee, Craig;
cromero@cityofepa.org; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Rosen, Jeff; Baker, Rob
Subject:Andrew Binder Work hours and Salary pursuant to the California Public Records Act
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 1:45:05 PM
Attachments:California Public Records Act Request re Andrew Binder.docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
California Public Records Act Request
1. Why does our Police Chief," Mr. Community Policing," Andrew Binder, live in Morgan Hill?
2. In the case of an earthquake, a mass shooting, or any of numerous other emergencies requiringfirst responders, where will Andrew Binder be? In Morgan Hill?
3. Does Andrew Binder really deserve to be the second-highest-paid employee in our city, right
behind City Manager Ed Shikada? At least City Manager Shikada lives in Palo Alto. We are talkinga salary for Binder, including benefits, of $400,000. How can Palo Alto possibly survive withgiveaway salaries like Binder is receiving? Where is Greg Tanaka now that we need him? Whyisn't our city council reining in these outrageous, unsustainable salaries? What percentage of our city
budget goes to law enforcement?
California Public Records Request
4. Pursuant to the California Records Act, I am requesting the following: (a) any records inpossession of the city of Palo Alto reflecting how many hours per week, per month, per year, from
September 1, 2022 to August 1, 2025, that Chief Binder is in Palo Alto performing his duties aspolice chief. Is Chief Binder in Palo Alto at least 40 hours per week?
4 (a) Chief Binder’s current annual salary, including benefits.
5. I am happy to work with the Palo Alto City Clerk, City Attorney, or other city employeesresponsible for carrying out (administering-implementing) the mandate of the California PublicRecords Act, Gov't Code && 7920.000-7931.000. I can help narrow my requests if necessary.
6. The CPRA is designed to be user-friendly and to allow community members and governmentagencies to collaborate to guarantee that those requesting government records receive the broadestset of records allowed under the CPRA. (C) The CPRA is construed broadly in favor of disclosure,
with exemptions narrowly construed. Note: agencies bear the burden to justify withholdingrecords under the CPRA, CBS V. Block 42 Cal. 3d 646 (1986)
*** “ Law enforcement officers carry upon their shoulders the cloak of authority to enforce
the laws of the state. In order to maintain trust in its police department, the public must bekept fully informed of the activities of its peace officers. Bradbury v. Superior Court 4 Cal App
4th 1108, 1116 (1996)”
**** “ From the vantage of the harried public servant, exposure to public scrutiny andcriticism may hamper and upset the day-to-day operation of a governmental agency. Thus,the bureaucrat is often sorely tempted to preclude public disclosure by invoking theprivilege of confidentiality…” New York Times Company v. Superior Court of Santa
Barbara County 52 Cal. App 4th 97, (1997)
Submitted by Aram James on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Abjpd1@gmail.com 415-370-5056
California Public Records Act Request
1. Why does our Police Chief," Mr. Community Policing," Andrew Binder, live in Morgan Hill?
2. In the case of an earthquake, a mass shooting, or any of numerous other emergencies requiring first responders, where will Andrew Binder be? In Morgan Hill? 3. Does Andrew Binder really deserve to be the second-highest-paid employee in our city, right behind City Manager Ed Shikada? At least City Manager Shikada lives in Palo Alto. We are talking a salary for Binder, including benefits, of $400,000. How can Palo Alto possibly survive
with giveaway salaries like Binder is receiving? Where is Greg Tanaka now that we need him? Why isn't our city council reining in these outrageous, unsustainable salaries? What percentage of our city budget goes to law enforcement? California Public Records Request 4. Pursuant to the California Records Act, I am requesting the following: (a) Any and all records
in possession of the city of Palo Alto reflecting how many hours per week, per month, per year, from September 1, 2022 to August 1, 2025, that Chief Binder is in Palo Alto performing his duties as police chief. Is Chief Binder in Palo Alto at least 40 hours per week?
4 (a) Chief Binder’s current annual salary including benefits. 5. I am happy to work with the Palo Alto City Clerk, City Attorney, or other city employees responsible for carrying out (administering-implementing) the mandate of the California Public Records Act, Gov't Code && 7920.000-7931.000. I can assist in narrowing my requests if necessary. 6. The CPRA is designed to be user-friendly and to allow community members and government agencies to collaborate to guarantee that those requesting government records receive the broadest set of records allowed under the CPRA. (C) The CPRA is construed broadly in favor of
disclosure with exemptions narrowly construed. Note: agencies bear the burden to justify withholding records under the CPRA, CBS V. Block 42 Cal. 3d 646 (1986)
*** “ Law enforcement officers carry upon their shoulders the cloak of authority to
enforce the laws of the state. In order to maintain trust in its police department, the public must be kept fully informed of the activities of its peace officers. Bradbury v. Superior Court 4 Cal App 4th 1108, 1116 (1996)”
**** “ From the vantage of the harried public servant, exposure to public scrutiny and criticism may hamper and upset the day-to-day operation of a governmental agency. Thus, the bureaucrat is often sorely tempted to preclude public disclosure by invoking the privilege of confidentiality…” New York Times Company v. Superior Court of
Santa Barbara County 52 Cal. App 4th 97, (1997)
Submitted by Aram James on Saturday August 9, 2025. Abjpd1@gmail.com 415-370-5056
From:paloaltoy@gmail.com
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino – Proposed Housing Project
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 1:14:35 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I am writing with a heartfelt plea regarding the proposed development at 4256 El CaminoReal.
When I moved to this neighborhood in the spring of 2025, one of the greatest joys in choosing
my home was being surrounded by the beautiful, mature trees that have stood here fordecades. They are a source of daily peace and a constant reminder of the balance between city
life and nature. My hope has been to spend many years here—growing older in this place,contributing to the community, building relationships with neighbors, and living each day
close to these trees.
Losing even a part of this tree canopy would mean losing a piece of what makes ourneighborhood whole. These trees are not replaceable in our lifetime; once gone, they are gone
forever. Their shade, their role in cleaning our air, and the sense of belonging they createcannot be replicated by new plantings or design features.
I understand that Palo Alto needs housing, but I urge the City to protect what makes this place
worth living in. Any development should be approached with the highest level of care toensure these trees are preserved and the neighborhood’s character is not diminished.
Please, let us not trade away the living treasures that make Palo Alto special for short-term
gains.
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to you.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Sohyang Yoon
4240 El Camino Real A208, Palo Alto CA 94306
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Letters NYT
Cc:WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Council, City; city.council@menlopark.gov
Subject:New York Times Responds to Netanyahu’s Legal Threat: ‘Children in Gaza Are Malnourished and Starving’
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 12:35:43 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
To the Editor
Second Nakhba coming?
Will UN realize its potential to prevent TS Eliot’s Wasteland aka “Trump’sRiviera’Fools Paradise’”
> > ideological blinders can not hide reality; evenEichmann admitted the facts
US BBC reports: documentation > broad and deep including volunteer U.S.emergency room practitioners and organization of400 Israeli reservists, with more “coming out”daily. > > Will dissent be sufficient to save Israel’s soul?
Henry Etzkowitz2024 Candidate for Palo Alto City CouncilNeighbors for Environmental and Social Justice 644 Menlo Avenue Menlo Park CA 94025646 7012695Www.triple helix.net
From:Mariia Vainer
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Real - Proposed Housing Project - PA City Council Agenda Item for August 11 Meeting
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 12:18:13 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear City Council,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding: 4256 El Camino Real - Proposed Housing
Project. As a resident of Palo Alto Redwoods, I believe this matter could significantly affect our
community in terms of safety, quality of life, and the environment.
Concern:
The proposed development will increase traffic congestion on El Camino, making it
unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists.
The proposed development could potentially damage the Palo Alto Redwoods because
of the very high building with parking on such a small perimeter.
I Urge the City Council To:
Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study.
Ensure that the project design respects the privacy and character of existing
neighborhoods.
Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to accommodate new residents and
minimize spillover.
Maintain open communication with residents and local organizations during all phases
of planning and construction.
I believe addressing these concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and future
residents. I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the City Council to take
these points into careful consideration.
Thank you for your service and commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
Mariia Vainer
4250 El Camino Real, Apt A306, Palo Alto, CA, 94306
Cell phone: 510 -358-1072
From:Rebecca Sanders
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Real - Proposed Development
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 8:41:18 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mayor Lauing and Council Members:
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256 El Camino
Real. The development was discussed at the recent PAN meeting and even though I don’t livein the Redwoods I am sympathetic with their plight. A boxy, out of scale, oversized fortress is
being proposed which will negatively impact the values all Palo Altans want to enjoy: privacy,daylight plane, sight lines, and adequate setbacks to allow for light and air and minimize
congestion.
I also understand that the parking will be three stories of mechanical lifts which as we knowfrom other projects in Palo Alto can be notoriously unreliable.
Please listen to their concerns and insist that the developer adjust the proposal to something
we can all be proud of.
Thank you.
Becky Sanders Ventura Neighborhood
From:Palo Alto Daily Post
To:John Salois
Cc:h.etzko@gmail.com; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Rebecca Eisenberg; Brian Good; Roseline
Rasolovoahangy; Lotus Fong; Ellen Fox; Aram James; Avroh Shah; Hannah Lu; Council, City; Office of the
Provost; Gennady Sheyner
Subject:Re: RAC QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
Date:Saturday, August 9, 2025 8:36:07 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
This email was sent to me in error. Please remove me from future emailings.
Dave Price
On Aug 8, 2025, at 6:45 PM, John Salois <amat721@outlook.com> wrote:Ah Henry,
I agree they SR/Stanford have done the below two items in a rather clandestine
manner. That being said, can you share the data that you are writing about? I
would like to share it with a person who is directly impacted by the dog park. We
also seem to have an explosion of grandparents with new born; just seems odd as
the reported purpose of the place is to house POST DOCS!
Get Outlook for Mac
From: Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025 at 3:12 PM
To: John Salois <AMAT721@outlook.com>, Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>, Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>,
Chunyan Zhou <alice1082@hotmail.com>, Rebecca Eisenberg
<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>, Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>,
Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>, Lotus Fong
<lyfong@pacbell.net>, Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>, Aram James
<abjpd1@gmail.com>, Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>, Hannah Lu
<hannahlu00@gmail.com>
Cc: City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>, Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>, Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>, Palo Alto Daily Post
<price@padailypost.com>
Subject: Re: RAC QUARTERLY MEETING MINUTES
John,
Let them bill the dogs and/or their proxies! SR/Stanford removal of the animalban at Oak Creek has created an out of control human health risk, well
documented.
rent strike looming?
Cheers Henry
COCR Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice (NESJ)
www.triple helix.netPs n, pls forward to underground
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 8, 2025, at 7:43 AM, John Salois <amat721@outlook.com>wrote:All,
I have attached two documents; The first it the meeting minutes and
the second ( Rent increase Cal) which shows the Max
allowable increase for our area.
The rent increase will start next year in May as you can read in the
minutes, they are going to use amenities to justify any increase. Dog
park, tennis court hours and the children’s park as well as cross walks
and speed limits were discussed.
Please pass this along to others whom may be interested and as
usual just grab me and let's chat for a while.
Get Outlook for Mac
<Q3 RAC Meeting July 31, 2025.pdf><Rent Increase cal.pdf>
From:Nikolay Moroz
To:Council, City
Subject:Subject - 4256 El Camino - Proposed Housing Project - Agenda Item - August 11, 2025
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 10:26:40 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,I am writing as a deeply concerned resident of 4250 El Camino Real, to express my seriousobjections to the proposed development at 4256 El Camino Real. This project, as currently
designed, presents significant and unaddressed threats to our neighborhood's safety, livability,and character.My primary concerns are not just speculative; they are based on the direct and foreseeable
impacts on our immediate community:Public Safety and Traffic Congestion: El Camino Real is already a heavily traveledthoroughfare. Adding a high-density development without robust traffic mitigation will create
a dangerous environment for everyone, particularly for the pedestrians and cyclists who usethis street daily. This is not just an inconvenience—it's a serious public safety hazard.Emergency Access: The proposed design appears to have woefully inadequate setbacks. This
could critically impede emergency vehicles, including fire trucks and ambulances, fromgaining necessary access. A delay of even a few minutes in a medical or fire emergency could
have tragic consequences.Erosion of Neighborhood Character and Privacy: The scale and density of this project are outof character with the surrounding residential buildings. It will directly and negatively impact
the privacy and quality of life for current residents, including myself, by introducing excessivelight, noise, and visual intrusion.Infrastructure Strain: The plan lacks sufficient parking and infrastructure to support the new
residents. This will inevitably force vehicles onto our neighboring streets, overwhelming analready strained parking situation and creating further congestion.I implore the City Council to take a responsible and proactive approach.
I urge you to:Commission a comprehensive, independent traffic and environmental impact study to truly
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to you.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
understand this project's full consequences.Mandate a redesign that ensures adequate emergency vehicle access and sufficient setbacks.Require the developer to provide robust infrastructure and parking to prevent negativespillover effects on existing residential areas.Prioritize transparent and continuous communication with local residents like myself
throughout the entire process.While I support responsible growth and new housing in Palo Alto, it cannot come at theexpense of our community's safety and well-being. Please ensure that this development is a
benefit, not a burden, to our city.Thank you for your time and consideration of these critical issues.Sincerely,Nikolay Moroz
Apartment B3184250 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
From:Loran Harding
To:Loran Harding; alumnipresident@stanford.edu; antonia.tinoco@hsr.ca.gov; bballpod; David Balakian;bearwithme1016@att.net; boardmembers; beachrides; fred beyerlein; Leodies Buchanan; Becky Vagim; Council,City; Cathy Lewis; dallen1212@gmail.com; dennisbalakian; eappel@stanford.edu; kdeem.electriclab@gmail.com;Scott Wilkinson; George.Rutherford@ucsf.edu; Gabriel.Ramirez@fresno.gov; huidentalsanmateo; hennessy; IrvWeissman; Joel Stiner; jerry ruopoli; kfsndesk; karkazianjewelers@gmail.com; Mark Standriff; Mayor; margaret-sasaki@live.com; maverickbruno@sbcglobal.net; merazroofinginc@att.net; MY77FJ@gmail.com; newsdesk; nickyovino; russ@topperjewelers.com; Steve Wayte; terry; vallesR1969@att.net; yicui@stanford.edu
Subject:Fwd: NVDA & TSMC Proto. Adv"d Sil-Photonic chip
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 9:43:39 PM
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>Date: Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Subject: Fwd: NVDA & TSMC Proto. Adv'd Sil-Photonic chipTo: Loran Harding <loran.harding@stanfordalumni.org>
Friday, August 8, 2025
To all-
This is big news. It will have a profound effect on data centers and a lot of other
electronics. These silicon-photonic chips will apparently be compatible with silicon chips,able to work with them. Good, because it would be a shame if they OBSOLETED silicon
using electricity, with trillions being spent on new data centers using that technology.
Lightwave Logic Inc (LWLG): NVIDIA, TSMC Develop Advanced Silicon Ph...
The above isn't the best article I find on this topic, but it did allow me to forward it.
I watch on YouTube what I call the "barking dogs" of Wall St. They yell and bark everymarket day about hot stocks. They are nice people and they mean well. "NVDA to $2,000!!!!"
That would make my shares worth $200,000, so I hope they are right. BUT, I have yet to hearany of them talk about silicon photonic chips, which seem to be coming. Not a word. Nicht ein
Wort.
I think a key question Wall St. should be asking NVDA is this: "Will these silicon photonicchips really be compatible with your current chips? OR, will their imminent arrival cause
entities to pause the current huge investment in silicon using electricity and wait for the newchips to arrive"? The answer is that there are enough challenges in this technology that it is
not right around the corner, but it is coming.
I bought some POET a few mos. ago. They just opened a production facility. Singapore, Ibelieve.
Next vid: "Nvidia Quantum-X Photonics InfiniBand switch systems- Light speedNetworking":
(867) BC Award Winner: NVIDIA Quantum-X Photonics InfiniBand Switch Systems –
Light-speed AI Networking - YouTube
The first two times I watched the above vid, all of the notations were blurred. The thirdtime I saw it they had cleared up.
Next vid: "Nvidia's new photonic technolgy explained" 26:43 Don't miss this. I think
she is Dutch. Her pronounciation of some English words is a little difficult to understand.Fortunately, they provide sub-titles in English. I do better with this watching it on my
computer and through headphones.
NVIDIA’s New Photonic Technology Explained
Next vid: "The AI chip that computes with light". This tech will not be fully developedand ready for wide-spread use for a few years so it probably will not impact the huge Capex
on AI planned now.
The AI Chip That Computes with Light
Next vid: "The next big wave in semiconductors" the man says. "Are silicon photonicsthe only way forward in semiconductors?" Don't miss this. They discuss some tough
challenges yet to be solved in this field.
Are Silicon Photonics the Only Way Forward in Semiconductors?
L. William Harding Fresno, Ca.
From:Aram James
To:Council, City
Cc:h.etzko@gmail.com; Palo Alto Free Press
Subject:For those who remain neutral in times of great moral crisis are reserved the deepest spots in hell
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 7:22:08 PM
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From:Dawson Bone
To:Council, City
Subject:Caltrain & Palo Alto
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 7:11:01 PM
Attachments:image.png
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i
Good afternoon,
I have a few questions and concerns with the Caltrain line that runs through the City of Palo Alto. Iam genuinely interested in learning more and possibly finding better ways to improve Palo Alto.
To understand why I am reaching out today I feel it is important to note what I had witnessed lastnight (8/7/25) with the railroad crossing at Charleston Road & Alma Street. Last night atapproximately 9pm a vehicle was attempting to make a right hand turn onto Alma Street from WestCharleston Road. Instead of the vehicle turning onto the road, they instead accidentally turned ontothe railroad track. Upon doing so the driver of the vehicle called 911, and thankfully the dispatchercontacted Caltrain to have the train line shut down (kudos to them on that). I cannot stress how luckythis driver is that nothing more serious happened than just accidentally driving on the tracks. Thecommuter trains regularly run at 79mph through this specific crossing, so this situation could haveended up a lot worse.
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to you.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
After talking with Caltrain Employees and other residents of Palo Alto, they stated that this is not thefirst time this year this has happened at this crossing. This is now establishing that this is not a onetime occurrence and could very likely happen again. After inspecting this crossing further it becameapparent that the only thing warning drivers not to turn onto the railroad tracks are white and red non-reflective Raised Pavement Markers (RPM’s).
The next logical step from here is what can be done to help prevent a catastrophic incident at thiscrossing in the future? I have seen that there are plans to separate the road and track for this gradecrossing, however that will be a long time until before it even possibly happens. The next thing thatcould be done in the meantime that is relatively inexpensive and easy to implement are Illuminated
Reflective Raised Pavement Markers and Flexible Bollards. It turns out that Palo Alto has alreadyimplemented this at the Churchill railroad crossing.
With all of that being said here are the questions I have:
1. Who owns the actual grade crossing Palo Alto or Caltrain?
I asked the Caltrain employees on this scene and they stated that the city owns it, I would just like toconfirm this.
2. How can we go about trying to get these devices installed to prevent future accidents?
I feel it is important to try and take as many preventative measures with something like this because itcould lead to a catastrophic accident in the worst case scenario. Anything is worth saving someone'slife.
3. Does the city sometimes pay the towing bill for vehicles to be taken off the track?
Only reason why I am asking this is because I thought I heard a police officer say the city paid for thetow, not that I’m against this, but I would just like to know.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,Dawson Bone
From:Tram Bui
To:Washington, Jeannette
Cc:Mini Cat Town; Macartney, Cody; Council, City
Subject:Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 6:47:30 PM
Attachments:Outlook-yxywnh0f.pngOutlook-omnrtr0g.pngOutlook-ig.pngOutlook-FB.png
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!
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for the clarification and for scheduling the inspection. While we understand the
permit process must be completed prior to opening, the urgency on our end remains high aswe are at capacity and continuing to receive requests from the public and other shelters to take
in more kittens.
Since every day makes a difference for these animals, we’re prepared to accommodate the
inspection this Sunday to expedite the process. This will allow us to meet the city’srequirements while also ensuring we can continue supporting the community.
As a reminder, during the last inspection request—which was made last minute on your end—we adjusted our schedule to accommodate, and you arrived later than expected. To avoid any
unnecessary downtime for our team and the kittens in our care, please call me at 408-421-7489prior to arriving so we can be ready to meet you promptly.
City Council has been cc’d on this email for visibility.
Please confirm if Sunday will work so we can finalize preparations accordingly.
Thank you,
Tram Bui
Co-founderMini Cat Town
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The sender's email address couldn't be verified.
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Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM Washington, Jeannette<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Hello Tram,
I understand the need to open as soon as possible; however, re-inspection is required, and
the permit process must be fully completed prior to opening.
The inspection will include both the front and back areas designated for housing cats, which
must be completely set up and ready for use. This includes the rolling kennels, an example
playpen on display, and any other designated cat housing areas. With that being said, I’d
like to schedule the inspection for 8/15 between 9:30-4pm. This will give your organization
additional time to complete the full setup without being rushed for an inspection on 8/10.
As a refresher, I am including the city’s municipal codes that pertain to pet shops and permit
for your reference.
4.59.080 Permit required - Pet shop and boarding kennel.
Every person who owns a pet shop or boarding kennel shall secure a permit for operation
of same. The fee for such permit shall be as set forth in the municipal fee schedule.
Conditions to secure the purposes of this chapter may be imposed upon a permit at the
time of issuance or such later date that the superintendent of animal control deems
necessary. Unannounced routine inspections of the pet shop or boarding kennel shall be
required by the superintendent of animal control to insure compliance with this chapter.
Such inspections shall be an automatic condition of permit approval.
(Ord. 4453 § 36 (part), 1997: Ord. 3257 § 6 (part), 1981)
6.20.110 Number of cats.
(a) No person shall keep or maintain more than three cats at any street address within
the city unless the person, family or group of persons keeping or maintaining such cats is
operating a bona fide animal clinic or hospital or a duly licensed pet shop, cat kennel, circus,
carnival, traveling show, menagerie, or cat exhibition at such street address.
(b) No person shall keep or maintain more than one unspayed female cat at any street
address within the city unless the person, family, or group of persons keeping or maintaining
such cats is operating a bona fide animal hospital or a duly licensed pet shop, cat kennel,
circus, carnival, traveling show, menagerie, or cat exhibition at such street address.
(Ord. 4453 § 40, 1997: Ord. 3257 § 5 (part), 1981)
Thank you,
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Tram Bui <trambui@minicattown.org>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 10:54 AM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>; Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette and Cody,
I wanted to check if this inspection needs to be completed prior to our opening date. We livequite a distance from Palo Alto, and the 9:30–4:00 window is a bit challenging to workaround, especially as we are currently caring for some sick kittens from the public.
We’re aiming for an August 16th opening, but ideally we’d like to bring kittens in as soon aspossible. We’re overflowing with kittens, and our fosters are waiting to drop off at PaloAlto. The public and other shelters are also asking us to take in more, but we need to free upfoster space first.
Please let us know the best path forward so we can plan accordingly.
Sincerely,
Tram BuiCo-founder
Mini Cat Town
www.minicattown.org | 408.421.7489
On Fri, Aug 8, 2025 at 8:25 AM Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Morning Thoa,
Yes, I'm available on 8/10 between 9:30 -4pm. However, I'm solo on Sunday and
emergency calls take priority.
Is your opening still on the 9th or has the opening date been moved?
Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
From: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:59 PM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: trambui@minicattown.org <trambui@minicattown.org>; Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Becautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Our rolling kennels will be in by Sunday morning if 8/10, would you be able to come forinspection on Sunday 8/10? Please let me know when you have a chance, thank you.
Sincerely,
Thoa Bui
Mini Cat Town
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:15 AM, Washington, Jeannette<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Hello Thoa,
I’d like to ensure that both the front and back areas designated for housing
cats are set up and ready to make use of.
I understand that your enclosures are currently being built—could you please
let me know when they are expected to be completed and installed? A final
inspection of those enclosures will need to be completed as well.
<Outlook-q1byz1ld.png> Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
<Outlook-FB.png> <Outlook-ig.png>
From: Mini Cat Town <minicattown@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 11:28 AM
To: Washington, Jeannette <Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: trambui@minicattown.org <trambui@minicattown.org>; Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Re: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Jeannette,
Thank you for stopping by to check out the space yesterday. We had talkedabout playpens being set up for quarantine kittens that were yet not up.Attached is a photo of a playpen. Please note that they are only up whenkittens need quarantining. We’ve done this before for kittens on bitequarantine at our Stanford location.
We can set one up for you to come back for another inspection if needed.Please let me know when you have a chance. I’d like to schedule anotherinspection as soon as possible so that our permit can be approved.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town
<image0.jpeg>
On Jul 27, 2025, at 10:52 AM, Mini Cat Town<minicattown@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Jeannette,
Yes, this works, see you tomorrow, 7/28 between 10am and2pm.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town408-421-7526 (cell)
On Jul 27, 2025, at 7:29 AM, Washington, Jeannette<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Morning Tram and Thoa,
Our department just received your permit
application late last week, although it was dated
6/1/25.
With that in mind, I’d like to schedule an
appointment for an inspection of the new location
on Monday, 7/28, between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
Please confirm whether this date and time work for
you.
Thank you,
<Outlook-ho4pcgq5.png> Jeannette Washington #2988
Senior Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police
Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 |24hr 650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol |@paloaltoac
<Outlook-FB.png> <Outlook-ig.png>
From: Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:59 PM
To: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>;
Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui
<trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.org
<thibui@minicattown.org>; Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>;
Corpos, Orshi <Orshi.Corpos@paloalto.gov>; Sauls,
Garrett <Garrett.Sauls@paloalto.gov>; McKay, Scott
<Scott.McKay@paloalto.gov>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa
<Elisa.Vargas@PaloAlto.gov>
Subject: RE: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Got it, thanks Jodie.
@Tram Bui the animal permit portion is separate
and should be sent to my department. However,
we’ll leave it at the last bit because its likely less
involved than the Planning Department side of
things. Please return the application when ready to
@Washington, Jeannette.
Thank you!
Cody
<image004.png>
Cody Macartney #4855
Lead Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police
Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 | c: 650.656.5292 | 24hr
650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol | @paloaltoac
<image005.png>
<image007.png>
From: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 4:54 PM
To: Macartney, Cody <Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>;
Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui
<trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.org
Cc: Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>;
Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>; Corpos, Orshi
<Orshi.Corpos@paloalto.gov>; Sauls, Garrett
<Garrett.Sauls@paloalto.gov>; McKay, Scott
<Scott.McKay@paloalto.gov>; Vargas-Aguilera, Elisa
<Elisa.Vargas@PaloAlto.gov>
Subject: RE: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Cody - It looks like Mini Cat Town has uploaded
documents to our system, but they are not fullysubmitted as additional information is required
before we can start our review.
<image008.png>
Mini Cat Town Owners – the request for additionalinformation on the Building permit was over 1.5
months ago, so please let us know if you havequestions. For additional information, see the
Tenant Improvement Checklist and the SignChecklist.
Sincerely,
<image009.png>Jodie Gerhardt (she/her),AICP
Development Center Manager
Planning and DevelopmentServices Department
285 Hamilton Avenue, PaloAlto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2575| jodie.gerhardt@paloalto.gov
www.paloalto.gov
From: Macartney, Cody
<Cody.Macartney@paloalto.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2025 3:48 PM
To: Thoa Bui <thoabui@minicattown.org>; Tram Bui
<trambui@minicattown.org>; thibui@minicattown.org
Cc: Gerhardt, Jodie <Jodie.Gerhardt@paloalto.gov>;
Armer, Jennifer <Jennifer.Armer@paloalto.gov>;
Washington, Jeannette
<Jeannette.Washington@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Mini Cat Town Cal Ave
Hi everyone,
It’s been a while since I have received an update, and
I see from social media that the new Mini Cat Town
on Cal Ave is progressing! We have not yet received
a permit application for the new location. Please
keep us in the loop and make sure the permit is
obtained prior to the beginning of operations. I have
attached the most recent permit application for your
reference.
Thank you!
Cody
<image010.png>
Cody Macartney #4855
Lead Animal Control Officer | Palo Alto Police
Department
3281 East Bayshore Road | Palo Alto, CA 94303
o: 650.496.5955 | c: 650.656.5292 | 24hr
650.329.2413
www.paloalto.gov/animalcontrol | @paloaltoac
<image005.png>
<image007.png>
From:Soraida Iwanaga
To:Mark Turner; Marilyn Librers; Don Austin; Palo Alto Daily Post
Cc:Salem Ajluni; Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan
Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca
Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong;
Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com;
cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl,
Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org;
board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov;
josh@joshsalcman.com; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james
pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez;
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Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton;
Pat M; Dana St. George; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs,
Anne; Anna Griffin; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 5:59:23 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Please remove me as well.
Soraida Iwanaga
Morgan Hill City Councilwoman
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>
Sent: Friday, August 8, 2025 5:57:53 AM
To: Marilyn Librers <marilyn.librers@morganhill.ca.gov>; Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Palo
Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Cc: Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
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<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
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<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
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citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Remove my name as well.
Mark Turner
Mayor
City of Morgan Hill
17575 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
D: 408.310.4647 C: 408.221.6203
mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov
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From: Marilyn Librers <marilyn.librers@morganhill.ca.gov>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:17 PM
To: Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Cc: Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg
<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner
<GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada
<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>;
George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org; Julie Lythcott-Haims <Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>;
board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations <BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>;
jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark
Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider
<james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Donna Wallach
<donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach <cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha
<mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez <miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver
<damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins
<goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo
Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith
<pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin
<griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin
Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Please remove my name from your mailing list immediately.
Marilyn Librers
From: Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:26 PM
To: Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Cc: Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg
<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com <jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>;
cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner
<GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada
<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>;
George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org <George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker
<Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;
board@valleywater.org <board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net <jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov <assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>;
Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org <michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin
<jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna
Wallach <cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org
<rabrica@cityofepa.org>; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF
Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith
<pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin
<griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
I can also be removed.
On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com> wrote:
Hello,
This email was delivered to me in error. Please take me off that list.
Dave Price
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 7:03 PM, Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituents
practiced by nearly all local government (not to mention state and federal government) is to
make the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—elected
positions.
>
> While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in the City
of Santa Clara--the only municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this is the
case.
>
> Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at least
not yet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these being
appointed by the Council like the City Manager.
>
> Salem
> From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM
> To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>
> Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy
<emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza
Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>;
Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free
Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>;
Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss
<lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA
<epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com
<jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; cromero@cityofepa.org
<cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug
Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed
Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith
Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org
<George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki
Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;
board@valleywater.org<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net<jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov<assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.go
v>; josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner
<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com
<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James
Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni
<ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin
<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach
<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean
Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>;
rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto
<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso,
Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M
<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations
Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>;
GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>;
Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>;
city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov<citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin
<jzalkin@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
> Hi Henry,
> You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robust
participatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall Meeting process, would be an
excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at true
democracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest
of us with just crumbs.
> Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026?
> Aram
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Aram
>
> Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared
during a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the public
and at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen control
consultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
>
> The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, provides
narrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest of
permanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific project
design are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
>
> Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit her
perspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly town
meeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having
Participated in and observed this non representative, all citizen,
> Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summer
residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable.
>
> Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire now
> And move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and
intention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, more
productive, government.
>
> Cheers
> Henry Etzkowitz
> “Back to the Agora”
> 2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate
> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San Jose
Superior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time.
> Www.triple helix.net
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in
2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her towards declaring in
favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in real time
before the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has
called the slaughter of Palestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to
remain silent on this issue without protests and push back.
>
> Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
>
> Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocide
https://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longe
has lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu
as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.
> >
> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor in
comparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carrying out a
so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a
“Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air
denial by forced
> > gas.
> >
> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!
> >
> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given
Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University should
speak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-
industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war
> >
> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs to
call with one voice for Gaza cease fire.
> >
> > Sincerely
> >
> > Henry Etzkowitz
> > 1766 sand Hill Road
> > Palo Alto CA 94304
> > 646 701 2695
> > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> > 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council
> >
> > www.triplehelix.net
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From:etecm@aol.com
To:Council, City
Cc:rdmto@aol.com
Subject:Proposed 6 Story, 100 units building depvelopment - SHOULD NOT APPROVE
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 4:06:00 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
As a long time resident at 4250 El Camino Real which will be directly impacted by this
huge and compressed development.
My unit oversee this piece of land from my living room since decades and decades. It
used to be a one level restaurant building ran by Dennys then So Hung restaurant.
The surrounding of its building were ample parking for the business. Peaceful and
quiet and limited to restaurant daily patron visit.
Adjacent to this is also a piece of land at the moment owns by a real estate office and
is two stories high.
The proposed development not only changed the landscape of our community but
created a big mass of residents on this once small business lot.
It impacts peace, quiet and privacy at our community, added at least 150 vehicletraffic on this first block of Arastedero/El Camino Real and more importantly blocked
views of our property affecting many residence facing this side of street. It impacts
our safety walking around this stretch of community.
It depreciates our property at 4250 El Camino Real.
Seriously, it is a very bad proposal that impact our living here in every aspect.
Please retain the two level building height policy for this land whether it is business or
residential development. Compressed living is not a way to improve lives for Palo
Altans. We don't need more high rise in Palo Alto.
Sincerely,
Teck Yong
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
From:Fred Kohler
To:Council, City
Cc:pdsdirector
Subject:332 Forest Prescreening
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 3:29:23 PM
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i
To Palo Alto City Council:
Several corrections to the Planning Department Analysis for the prescreening of the 332 Forestproject which are important for the review at the 8/11/25 City Council meeting.
1) The project covers both the 332 and 350 Forest lots, not just 332 as marked on the map.
2) Therefore, the proposed project adjoins the Weatherly condo building (315 Homer) as well
as the 707 Bryant condo building (misidentified in the report as 707 Forest.
3) Daylight plane and setback analysis must be performed for 315 Homer as well as 707
Bryant.
In addition, we saw that the proposed project specifications were compared to the current
zoning for the site. There is a paragraph on the State Bonus Density Law Alternative whichindicates that the proposed project far exceeds the number of units required by the law.
However, there is no further analysis of what would comply with the state law. Given thesupport for housing projects in the downtown area, this could well be a critical point in the
analysis of this project.
Regards,
Fred Kohler
Kuo-Jung Chang
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first mail to some recipients.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
From:Mini Cat Town
To:Council, City
Cc:Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lauing, Ed; Lu, George; Reckdahl, Keith; Stone, Greer; Veenker, Vicki; Thoa
Bui; Thi Bui; Tram Bui
Subject:Mini Cat Town Opening DELAY and Request for help
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 3:23:10 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
Dear Council members,
We hope this email finds you well.
I am one of 3 operators of Mini Cat Town, a 501(c)(3) non-profit kitten rescue organization with over 1,000volunteers. Mini Cat Town rescues kittens from local and rural shelters, and facilitates fosters and adoptionsincluding over 3000 adoptions since 2015.
We’ve been attempting to open in Palo Alto but have encountered numerous issues, problems, and delays. Weunderstand that smooth permitting for small businesses is a council priority. However, the process has been a veryslow and bumpy road.
We are asking for your support in having our permits processed in a timely manner for our proposed new location at429 California Ave.
We smoothly opened 4 locations in cities throughout the Bay Area.
Our 5th location at Stanford Shopping center was cited as an illegal kennel. But after several meetings with the cityand going back and forth, the city finally allowed us to continue operating. However, the controversy was enoughfor Stanford to decide not to continue our lease.
Prior to leasing 429 California Ave., we met with City staff multiple times in order to understand the full scope ofany upgrades the City would require. We weren’t planning any remodeling except for decorating and installation ofsome partitions to prevent the cats from escaping.
The City staff informed us of several specific code upgrades they would require including the installation of a firealarm system. We questioned why code upgrades were necessary since this space was previously a coffee shop andretail sneaker store and we too are considered retail. But, we signed the lease and proceeded to document theupgrades, hire vendors, etc.
However, the city requirements have changed several times and their confusion on our classification has wreakedhavoc on our plans. Whenever we are required to provide more information, we do so right away but then have tocontinue to wait, even when the requested information is very minimal.
These changing requirements and delays have put massive financial strain on our organization. The landlord wasgenerous enough to give us 3 months of free rent; we expected this to be more than enough time. But, the Palo Altoprocess has been incredibly difficult.
Given our past experience at Stanford and all the delays and miscommunication regarding our location 429California Ave, we are undergoing tremendous financial strain and, frankly, questioning our choice of opening inPalo Alto.
Our space is fully prepped, we have answered all city questions, and completed everything required. But, we can’tget a response.
After already being postponed 3 times, we would like to hold our Grand opening on Saturday August 16th.
We hope that you can help us and also continue to create an environment that is more friendly to small businesses
and non-profits.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Thoa BuiMini Cat Town
From:matt@evolutionaryteams.com
To:fridaysforfuturepaloalto@gmail.com; Palo-Alto@fridaysforfutureusa.org
Subject:FFF Follow Up from Aug 1 (Week #186)Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 3:14:22 PM
Attachments:image005.png
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i
NOTE: As I have taken on more projects lately, the release of this newsletter has become delayed. I appreciate your patience. Note
that this is follow up from last week, Friday, August 1.
After we marched we acknowledged that we occupy unceded lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone, and we reminded ourselves to prioritize healing and
justice. Our march was an amazing success as we walked up and down University Avenue to cheers and applause from diners and pedestrians. To
the tune of We’ve Got The Whole World In Our Hands, we invented accompanying lyrics – we have the climate in our hands, we have the
environment in our hands, we have justice in our hands, we have democracy in our hands, we have the rule of law in our hands, etc. We were happy
with the positive vibes this song generated. Great job everyone!
Ian, Carol, Blaine, Ingrid, George, Brigitte, Rick, Kimberly, Robin and Matt all joined the post-march debrief. We covered many topics: the
genocide in Gaza, the now daily extreme weather events in the US and around the world, how to dismantle the six pillars of autocracy, Indivisible’s
picnic in Sunnyvale, Kimberly’s recent 4WARD meeting, layoffs at Stanford, the Disability Act demonstration in Redwood City, how Kimberly’s
scholarship for budding female entrepreneurs can no longer be dedicated to females, before turning to upcoming events.
Next week, Friday 8/15, we move our climate strike to Lytton Plaza and strike in solidarity with the Stand Up For Science and Sanity Rally at
5:30PM. Thanks to Carol and the SUFSS team for keeping up the momentum on these important rallies! Details here.
Also, thanks to the Tesla Takedown Wolves and Indivisible Palo Alto Plus for the many weekly opportunities to protest the authoritarian
overthrow of our democracy. Find details for upcoming demonstrations below.
Mimi led the effort for FFF-PA to co-sign in Indivisible’s effort to amend SB131, a bill being fastracked by Gov. Newsom that would roll back
environmental protections. Thanks, Mimi, for taking the lead on this!
Kimberly has scheduled the next 4WARD meeting at her house in Redwood City. RSVP here.
Tasheana is organizing a summer carnival and BBQ/Potluck at the Opportunity Center on Tuesday, August 26. There will be live music by yours truly
and others. Contact Tasheana to volunteer and/or donate. And be sure to stop by for the fun!
Tasheana Price she/her/hers
Program Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 669-588-7240 | Email: tasheana.price@lifemoves.org
This Friday we continue our conversation, including a discussion on James Hansen’s recent paper on how climate sensitivity has been grossly
underestimated by the IPCC, and the ramifications of this finding on our community.
Keep Up the Fight!
RISE UP AND RESIST!
Upcoming Events
Friday, August 15, 5:30 to 6:30: Stand Up For Science and Sanity! Note that on this particular Friday we move our climate strike to
Lytton Plaza and join forces in solidarity with SUFSS for a rally in the plaza. Details here.
Friday, August 22, Noon to 1:00: Climate Strike! –– We meet at King Plaza in front of Palo Alto City Hall.
Tuesday, August 26, 12:30-3PM: Opportunity Center Carnival and BBQ, 33 Encina Ave, Palo Alto. Contact Tasheana to
volunteer/donate 669-588-7240, tasheana.price@lifemoves.org
Tuesday, August 26, 5 to 9PM: 4WARD Climate/Sustainability Monthly Event. Kimberly’s house, Redwood City. RSVP here.
Tesla Takedown Rally and March :: Stanford Shopping Center, Saturday, 8/2, Noon to 2PM. Details here.
Tesla Takedown Rally :: Tesla El Camino Real Showroom, Saturday, 8/2, 1 to 3PM. Details here.
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Tesla Takedown Rally :: Tesla Engineering HQ, Monday, 8/4, 5 to 6PM. Details here.
Tesla Takedown Rally :: Tesla El Camino Real Showroom, Wednesday, 8/6, 4 to 6PM. Details here.
Photos and Videos of Recent Actions
Climate march: https://photos.app.goo.gl/kn83yZ8f2tokznJH9
What We Are Reading/Watching/Listening to:
Matt’s Poem on the importance of public demonstration: Read here.
Reporting by Democracy Now! here
Commentary by The Majority Report: here
Heat Pump Water Heater and Home Electrification Program Update
As of:7/1 6/2 5/1 3/31
HPWH full-service interest list signups 1411 1385 1364 1333
Site assessment agreements (SAA) sent 1411 1385 1364 1333
Signed SAAs 1169 1149 1127 1013
Completed site assessments 1064 1055 1040 1023
Installations
Total Full Service HPWHs installed 433 427 421 414
Total DIY HPWH installed 132 131 126 115
Total Emergency HPWH installations 24 22 19 19
Total HPWHs installed 589 580 566 548
Target Installations 1000 1000 1000 1000
Monthly Installation Rate
Monthly Installation Rate 9 14 18 14
Target Monthly Installation Rate 83 83 83 83
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Schlegel Consulting
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Author: Teamwork 9.0
Website: evolutionaryteams.com
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCLkUMHuG4HVa831s9yeoZ5Q
From:Carol Scott
To:Council, City; Baird, Nathan; Shikada, Ed; Planning Commission
Cc:Mike Eager; Paul Machado; Neilson Buchanan
Subject:Removal of Item #7 From Consent Calendar for August 11, 2025 Council Meeting
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 12:34:07 PM
Attachments:Letter to City Council - August 2025.pdf
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Dear Council Members, Mr. Shikada and Mr. Baird,
I write to ask you to remove item #7 from the Consent Calendar for your upcoming City Council meeting on August11, 2025. This item proposes to increase the number of employee permits in the Evergreen Park Residential PermitParking program ('EVP RPP') and to make certain changes to the parking zone boundaries within the RPP.
The reasons for my request, which I explain in more detail in the attached memorandum, are:
1. City staff have cited no need for an increase in permits at this time. Although Zones A, B, and C have soldout of their allotted permits, Zone D has not, i.e., permits are available for purchase in Zone D. This is animportant concern for residents of EVP that deserves open discussion before a vote is taken.
2. The proposed zone boundaries do not improve the problem (noted at the Council meeting on August 12,
2024) of overloading residential blocks closest to El Camino Real in Zones B, C, and especially D, but instead
will institutionalize them. They need further discussion work.
3. We have no data on which to base these decisions about the number of permits or appropriate zone
boundaries at this time. Such a study was promised as part of an evaluation of the Changes in the EVP RPP made
in August 2024. The Staff mentions "observations", but provides no details as to the methodology used to collect
these observations.
Please see the attached memorandum for further explanation of the issues.
I very much appreciate your consideration of this request.
Carol Scott
-- Carol Scott
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August 7, 2025
TO: City Council Members, Planning and Transportation Members, City Manager Ed
Shikada, ODice of Transportation Director __________, and ODice of Parking
Director Nathan Baird
FROM: Carol Scott
Resident of Evergreen Park
RE: Agenda Item 7 – August, 11 2025 - Proposed Changes to the Evergreen Park RPP
I write to ask you to remove the StaD proposed changes to the Evergreen Park RPP (‘EVP
RPP) from the Consent Calendar for your August 11, 2025 Council meeting. The proposed
changes which include an Increase in the number of employee permits allocated to the
RPP from 50 to 65 and to make certain changes to the parking zone boundaries within the
RPP.
I ask for a full Council discussion if these proposed changes for three reasons.
1. Increasing the number of employee permits in the EVP RPP is a significant concern
to residents in Evergreen Park. The City has cited no need an increase at this time.
Although RPP Zones A, B, and C have sold all employee permits available, Zone D
has not, i.e., permits are available to purchase in Zone D.
At such time as there is a demonstrated need for additional employee permits, the
size and character of that demand can be assessed and solutions, e.g., an
increased number of permits, increased bicycling, shuttle service from City garages,
additional encouragement to use public transit, access to unused parking in
commercial areas, etc. can be discussed. In addition, currently here is
considerable uncertainty with respect to future demand for parking by residents of
proposed new housing developments in the area.
It was noted during a Council meeting on August 12, 2024, when 50 permits were
moved from El Camino Real zones into the residential areas of Evergreen Park, that
130 parking spaces along El Camino Real were lost due to the addition of bicycle
lanes on ECR and the subsequent removal of parking along this route. The current
staD proposal seeks to allocate 65 spaces – fully half of all of those lost – to a single
residential area and RPP. No other RPP adjacent to ECR or to California Ave. is being
asked to shoulder an additional burden. Neither the College Terrace nor the Old
Palo Alto RPP areas have any employee permits. Southgate now has a few, but has
not been asked to accept any additional ones. Mayfield is not being asked to
accommodate employee permits – only Evergreen Park.
2
2. Proposed zone boundaries do not solve the problem of overloading residential
blocks closest to El Camino Real, but instead will institutionalize them. These
need further work. I discuss and illustrate the unsolved problem further on in this
letter.
The point was made by me at the City Council meeting on August 12, 2024, and
acknowledged by Councilman Burt, that the existing zone boundaries for the RPP
were initially established to smooth employee parking from south (on College
Avenue) to the north (on Park Blvd) while the current need is to smooth employee
parking from west (closest to El Camino Real) to east (closest to Park Blvd across
from Peers Park). Although some zone boundary changes are included in the StaD
proposal (Report #2505-4723), these changes will not address this no longer
appropriate design. Instead, it will only add to the burden of certain blocks in Zone
D, and codify rather than smooth out the bunching in Zones B and C.
3. We have no data on which to base decisions about the number of permits or
appropriate zone boundaries at this time. An occupancy study of the RPP area to
track changes in parking patterns and loads since of the removal of parking on El
Camino Real has not been done. Such a study was promised as part of an
evaluation of the changes in the EVP RPP made in August, 2024.
The current StaD report states that the new proposal is based on observations, but
the methodology for those observations has not been disclosed.
According to the ODice of Transportation, the last occupancy study of the RPP was
done in 2024 before the elimination of parking on El Camino Real had been fully
implemented. I have been unable to locate that study on the City website, and it
was not appended to the StaD proposals for placing employee permits in the EVP
RPP considered on August 12, 2024.
Having been a part of the team of residents that has been most active in the creation and
maintenance of the EVP RPP over the past almost 10 years, I can assure you that I realize
the diDiculty of actually following through on the City’s stated goal of promoting commerce
but not at the expense of the quality of life in residential areas. It is because this task is so
diDicult that more time and thought needs to go into any changes.
I also want to acknowledge that EVP residents were invited to attend one of two Zoom
meetings with the City Manager and with Nathan Baird to discuss the City’s desire to
amend the EVP RPP. And, several of us have followed up with questions in a few emails. I
appreciate this outreach. Unfortunately, none of the suggestions oDered by the residents
in the meeting I attended have been heeded by the City staD.
3
The rest of this memorandum provides a brief history of the EVP RPP and explains and
illustrates the issues and questions raised by the proposed changes in zone boundaries
and the allocation of permits to each zone.
EVP RPP Background (skip if you are well versed in the long history of this RPP)
By way of background, the demand for parking in the residential areas of Evergreen Park
prior to the establishment of the RPP in 2017-2018 came primarily from visitors and
employees in the California Ave business district. This demand skyrocketed due to the
replacement of small oDice buildings in the area with large Class A oDice space with no or
insuDicient parking and the increase in the number of employees per square feet that
accompanied the change from small service businesses and retail establishments to high
technology oDice worker businesses.
After much work on the park of residents to document the damage to the quality of life in
the residential areas, the EVP/Mayfield RPP was created in 2017 and 2018. Subsequently,
businesses located along El Camino Real argued that they had insuDicient access to
employee permits. At the time, these businesses were prohibited from purchasing parking
permits in the City-owned garages and surface parking lots in the Cal Ave business district.
Residents urged the City to ask the State to allow it to sell employees permits on El Camino
Real to provide additional relief to the mostly local-serving businesses and medical/dental
oDices located there.
Later, residents joined with businesses in the Cal Ave district to urge the City to build a
large garage on Sherman Avenue to provide parking for the commercial interests in the
area. Eventually, the addition of the Sherman Ave garage and the acquisition of employee
parking areas on El Camino Real provided relief to the residents of Evergreen Park from the
burden of traDic and pollution that came from all-day employee parking. It was able to join
two other RPP area that abut California Avenue, i.e., College Terrace and Old Palo Alto, in
not having any all-day employee permits.
Proposed Boundaries Do Not Solve the Problem of Bunching or Crowding on Some
Streets
The proposed and current RPP Zone boundaries, along with the number of permits
allocated to each zone are shown in the diagrams attached to this memo. The following
parking issues remain, or are created, by the proposed zone boundaries.
1. Changes in the number of employee permits allocated to Zone A will not reduce
crowding in this heavily impacted zone that is close to El Camino Real and the
medical and dental oDice buildings located there. Zone A boundaries are not
changed, but the number of permits is being reduced from 10 to 5. Five fewer
employee permits will simply be replaced by increased customer and patient
parking. The impact of creating 2-hour commercial parking only (no resident or
employee parking) within this zone is not clear. The likely result is that Zone A will
4
see relief only in that customers come and go during the day, occasionally freeing
up parking spaces, while employees do not.
2. The boundaries of Zones B and C are being changed to make them smaller. But, the
number of permits allocated to them will remain the same. This means that the
current tendency of employees to park on blocks closest to El Camino Real will be
institutionalized instead of corrected or smoothed out toward Peers Park. The
burden particularly on the blocks of Stanford Ave closest to El Camino Real (in
Zones A and C) will not be reduced.
It is also worth noting that there is a significant area of Zone B along Park Blvd where
no parking is allowed. This is close to the large round-about close to Ash and where
the street curves leading to Peers Park. So, while the area may look spacious, the
actual space available for parking is less than it appears. The StaD has not marked
where these no-parking areas are on the diagrams.
3. The idea behind the new Zone D is a mystery. On the one hand, moving 5 permits
from (sold out) Zone A to (not sold out) Zone D seems to be a step in the right
direction. But, where will cars with these additional permits park? It is likely that
they will add to the bunching on blocks in Zone D closest to El Camino Real. The
undesirability of the Zone D blocks farthest from El Camino Real remains. Nothing
in the new Zone D configuration smooths parking out from west to east.
The unanswered question is who the permits in the new Zone D are intended for and
why we need 15 additional permits at all. At present, I understand that the
proposed increase of 15 employee permits for the RPP will be held in reserve until
such time as they are needed. In conversations with City staD, it has been
suggested that when they are needed (by whom?), they will be allocated to the
newly expanded Zone D. Although this is not guaranteed – there is nothing to
prevent City staD from deciding to sprinkle them throughout other zones in the RPP –
let’s assume this is what actually happens.
First, in the meantime, all of the area in Zone D along Peers Park is likely to see no
employee parking. The only eDect will be to ensure that all of the permits issued in
Zones B and C will be condensed into smaller areas and all of the 20 permits
allocated to Zone D will be bunched toward El Camino Real.
In the long run, who will want the additional permits in Zone D? It seems unlikely
that there will be so much growth in the businesses along El Camino Real that so
many new permits will be needed. One answer, however, is the employees in the
newly built or remodeled commercial oDice buildings along Cambridge Avenue
which are most likely under-parked. Currently, I have been assured that only
employees of businesses on the east side of El Camino Real can purchase
employee permits in the EVP RPP. But, can we doubt that these new employees will
5
argue that they should not have to walk all the way from the Sherman Avenue garage
to their oDices on Cambridge in the event that the garages and surface lots on
Cambridge become full when a residential street is so close by? Will the
businesses on California Ave want these employees to take up spaces in those
garages and surface lots and displace customers? Will Evergreen Park once again
be considered the overflow parking lot for commercial buildings that do not provide
parking for their employees?
A further complication not acknowledged in the proposed plan for Zone D is the
likely construction of a large number of housing units where Mollie Stone currently
exists? It is unlikely that this development will be fully-parked given the inability to
mandate any parking at all in housing developments. Where will these residents
park? Further, if some of the small businesses on El Camino Real do not survive
the lack of parking for their customers, it is likely they will be replaced by housing.
These new residents will also most likely want to park in Evergreen Park.
And last, but not least by any means, is whether we want a lot of employee parking
next to a city park. Is it really a good idea to have employees in a hurry to get home
in the evenings pulling out of parking spaces and racing oD at the same time as
children are piling into the park for afternoon recreation? This part of Park Blvd is
also a heavily used bike route. If ever there is a place to worry about promoting
commerce at the expense of safely and air quality, not to mention other aspects of
quality of life in a residential area, this would seem to be it.
With so many questions unanswered and issues unaddressed, I urge you to table this
proposal until such time as good data can be collected on the current parking patterns, a
group of business people and residents can work together to try to find ways to understand
and accommodate each other’s needs, and a better solution be created. Clearly, an issue
which will aEect the quality of life for the residents on Evergreen Park deserves at
least some discussion at the City Council level.
I also urge you to remember that a neighborhood is not an overflow parking lot. There is no
such thing as an under-parked residential neighborhood. There are only neighborhoods
that are allowed to be residential in character. We residents are often told that we don’t
own the streets, and that is true. But many areas of Palo Alto are protected from intrusion
from nearby commercial areas, and Evergreen Park would like to be one of them.
From:Helene Grossman
To:Council, City; Safe Routes; Lo, Ria; Shikada, Ed; City Attorney
Subject:Unanswered 311 Ticket on Daylighting - outstanding for 2.5 months
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 9:31:02 AM
Attachments:311 Ticket #15068680.pdf
CPRA_Response_Police _memo.pdf311 Ticket #16909903.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.
Dear City Council Members, Safe Routes, Chief Lo, City Manager Shikada, and City Attorney Stump,
I am writing to request your assistance in getting a response to my outstanding 311 ticket
(#16909903), submitted on May 25 – 2.5 months ago. This request is to paint the curb red at the
crosswalk leading to both Friends Nursery School and Ohlone Elementary School, in support of
California’s daylighting law. I have commented on the ticket multiple times and emailed
Transportation staff multiple times, but I have been unable to get a response to the ticket.
Please note that the City encourages citizens to file 311 tickets – for example, this Dept of
Transportation page states: “Report concerns at PaloAlto311. Type "Curb" in the search bar to
populate the category to suggest new curb paint.” This Palo Alto Online article also discusses
how “Residents can report violators online and suggest intersections that could use red curb
paint.”
However, all of this is misleading and fruitless if the City does not actually respond to 311 tickets.
While awaiting a response, I submitted a public records request and learned that:
In the 1.5 years since the daylighting law took effect, Palo Alto has painted zero curbs in
support of the law.
The City has issued zero warnings and zero tickets.
The only identified progress is the selection of five intersections for “preliminary evaluation.”
Here is an example of a rejected 311 ticket from a community member last year, where the
response was that no curbs would be painted; the police would issue warnings without red paint.
However, it turns out that the Police could not actually issue warnings because they didn’t have
the code into their system until May of 2025. To this day, the Police have not issued a single
warning or citation, belying the response to the ticket.
(Regardless, I agree with the poster that red paint is a better, cheaper, more effective solution
than increased police patrols.)
Full 311 ticket associated with this picture is attached.
This raises a broader question: Why is Palo Alto delaying action on a proven, low-cost safety
measure that City Council itself has described as an easy win for pedestrian safety? And why is
it deprioritizing requests from residents concerned for children’s safety?
While I understand there are budget constraints, Council recently approved staff’s request for
$160,000 for a consulting contract to study artificial turf, which could have been completed with
free AI tools. Allocating a similar amount would enable curb painting at every crosswalk near
every school in Palo Alto.
I urge City Council to direct the Transportation Department to:
1.
Respond to citizens’ 311 tickets and revisit curb-painting tickets that citizens filed in the
past which were summarily rejected.
2.
Implement curb painting at all school-adjacent crosswalks within a defined timeline. Ideally
this would have been before the school year started, but unfortunately, we are at the point
where school starts in a few days. We should commit to a timeline and not delay any
further.
Many thanks for your service to the City.
Sincerely,
Helene Grossman
—--
Attachments:
311 Ticket #16909903, outstanding for >2 months
311 Ticket #15068680, submitted by fellow community member and rejected
Police memo with regard to daylighting enforcement, from Public Records request
New curb paint or a new parking signs
#15068680
Completed
Channing/Center, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
PaloAltoOldTimer submitted a year ago
0 Follow
5 Comment
1 Attachment
Map
DETAILS
Description
undefined
Describe your request
There is a pedestrian crossing across channing ave near Center Dr and Hutchinson Ave. There is a
stop sign on Channing, on the side where cars would drive towards 101. However, SUVs park right
by the stop sign and mere feet away right next to the crossing sign, causing a blindspot so cars
coming to the crosswalk cannot see small kids crossing the crosswalk. According to new legislation,
cars should not be allowed to park so close to stop signs and crosswalks. Please paint the area next
to the crosswalk and stop signs RED so that cars and especially SUVs cannot park there in order to
get rid of the blind spot to kids crossing the road. Many cars don't stop at the stopsign, so it makes it
even more important the blindspot is eliminated for these careless or speeding drivers. We've
already seen that from other cases (ie: recently in SJ news) speeding drivers will plow through
crosswalks and kill kids, making it important to eliminate blindspots. Also, at times, Channing will
become busy with lots of impatient cars during rush hour and rushed drivers will more likely make
mistakes especially if they dont have visibility.
Additional Location Description for Request
curbside of pedestrian Cross walk across Channing, particularly the curbside of Channing that has
houses (not the side that has Eleonore Pardee park)
3 COMMENTS
PaloAltoOldTimer
a year ago
During my walks, I've seen kids try to cross that crosswalk and suddenly have to stop or jump back
because an uncoming car plowed throw the intersection and did not see them due to cars parked
near the crosswalk obstructing the the driver's view. Here's the link to new Caifornia law prohibiting
parking within 20 feet of crosswalk due to this exact same problem I'm seeing at this crosswalk
because of the blindspot created by cars parked within 20 feet from it.
https://californiainsider.com/news/new-california-law-bans-people-from-parking-within-20-feet-of-cros
swalk-5562666
PLN5854 Verified Official
a year ago
Hello and thank you for your comment. AB 413 states that: "prior to January 1, 2025, authorize
jurisdictions to only issue a warning for a violation, and would prohibit them from issuing a citation for
a violation". Therefore , this request will be forwarded to our Police department for review and to
issue warnings. Thank you.
PaloAltoOldTimer
a year ago
I think you don't understand the request. The request is not to cite cars. I am only asking you to
paint the curb red (should be fast, easy and cheap to do this.) AB413 doesn't prohibit the city from
painting the curbs red in areas that need it. Why do we NOT want to paint the curb red, and instead
want to waste my taxpayer $ on giving warnings to cars that are parked on a "normal" non-red curb.
This response is showing too much overthinking and bureaucracy. Painting the curb red is a easy
cheap life-saving solution, let's just do it now please!
From:Kratt, Ken
To:
Cc:
Subject:Daylighting Law, CVC section 22500(n)(1)(A)
Date:Thursday, May 15, 2025 2:17:47 PM
Attachments:25-02-New-Daylighting-Law-.webp
Personnel,
I wanted to bring to your attention a law that has been in place since January 1, 2024 but
was only enforceable beginning January 1, 2025. Some of you may have already handled
a call for service involving this violation. Up until just recently, we would not have been
able to cite as revenue collections did not have the section in their computer system.
The violation is called the “Daylighting “ law, CVC section 22500(n)(1)(A). This law
requires that vehicles park a minimum of 20 feet from an intersection that vehicles are
approaching. If the curb is extended into the roadway, the law says 15 feet. The idea for
the law is that it provides more protections to pedestrians as drivers approach
intersections because in theory, drivers will have more visibility. The fine is $46. On the
face of the ticket, you would mark the “OTHER” box , write CVC 22500(n)(1)(A) next to
the “OTHER” and in the box below write “LESS THAN 20 FEET FROM INTERSECTION” or
something similar. Think of a good size car length if trying to figure out 20 feet. Our Fords
are about 16.5 feet in length.
As of right now, the city is not advertising this violation on the website and are not
planning as of now to paint curbs red. In fact, there are a lot of areas downtown where
marked spaces are within 20 feet and no plans as of now to remove the spots.
I have
attached a photo that illustrates the law. When looking at the illustration, if the street is
one way like Homer or Channing, it applies to both sides of the street, not just the right
side. Let me know if you have any questions.
Sergeant Ken Kratt #1645
Traffic Division
Palo Alto Police Department
650-329-2413
New curb paint or a new parking signs
#16909903
Received
957 Colorado Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94303, USA
abbylila submitted 2 months ago
0 Follow
2 Comment
1 Attachment
Map
DETAILS
Description
undefined
Describe your request
Please paint the curbs red near the crosswalk at Colorado and Sandra Pl in support of the CA
daylighting law, which prohibits parking near crosswalks. This crosswalk is particularly important
because it is used by children -- children going to Ohlone elementary school through the back
entrance and children going to Friends Nursery School. Let's please get this done before the next
school year starts in order to keep kids safe going to school.
Additional Location Description for Request
Crosswalk on Colorado, near Sandra Pl
2 COMMENTS
abbylila
20 days ago
It has been nearly 2 months since I submitted this ticket. Moreover, it has been nearly a year since I
submitted a similar ticket (#16113884). Children will be going back to school soon - can we please
get this done? City Council has made it clear on multiple occasions that they wish to paint curbs red
in support of the daylighting law - they said it is an easy win which will help keep kids safe. So what
is the hold-up? Can you please respond to my ticket and similar tickets that other residents have
submitted? City Council has also made it clear that they wish for staff to respond to 311 tickets
without needing multiple escalations. Thank you.
abbylila
4 days ago
It has now been over 2 months since I submitted this ticket. I have commented here and emailed
the department multiple times. Could I please get a response? School starts in 2 weeks - let's get
the crosswalks painted to keep the kids safe. Why the delay?
From:Marshall Blanchard
To:Council, City
Cc:Maggie Bening; a_m_mason@yahoo.com; julie.baskind@gmail.com; marshallblanchard2@gmail.com
Subject:4256 El Camino Real development proposal, public comment
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 8:38:22 AM
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i
August 7, 2025
TO: Palo Alto City Council Members
RE.: 4256 El Camino Real development proposal, public comment
As a resident of the Palo Alto Redwoods condo complex at 4250 El Camino Real, I am writing
to express my serious concerns about the new development proposal for the adjacent
property at 4256 El Camino Real.
While I recognize the need for more housing in Palo Alto, the proposed six-story 100-unit
residential building is extremely out-of-scale for the size of the currently vacant lot. The
submitted plans indicate that the building’s volume extends very close to the property line on
all sides, with only about 6 feet of space on two sides between the building and the existing
fence, and only slightly more space at the rear of the building. This wouldn’t leave room for
the trees (including redwoods) that exist along the sides and back of the 4256 property; the
building volume would even encroach on the canopy area of redwood trees on our side of the
fence. I’ve looked at the volume of recently constructed buildings along El Camino relative to
their respective lot size—they all seem to have reasonable air space on all sides. The
submitted plans for this project lack provision for reasonable space between the project and
adjacent buildings.
One problem of maximizing the volume of the building on the lot is that in the case of fire, the
fire department would not have adequate access on the sides and back of the building—they
couldn’t even set up a ladder, let alone drive the firetruck close to where it might be needed.
[A better model is the Hilton Garden Inn, which has a driveway on the sides and back of their
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building (aside from firetruck, delivery truck, tour bus, and garbage truck access, it also affords
generous airspace around the building).]
Moving around to the front of the proposed building, it doesn’t seem like the developer has
thought through the logistical deficits of the current design. There is only a central entrance
into the first floor mechanical-stacking parking area; there is no dedicated zone at the front
where ride-share cars, delivery vans, mail trucks, (etc.) could temporarily park. I don’t know
how garbage trucks and recycling trucks will maneuver on this property. Inevitably, there will
be traffic backups along El Camino when residents wait their turn for the puzzle-lift
mechanical stacking parking system; the bicycle lane cannot be used for drivers waiting to turn
into the garage, so they’ll need to block an active traffic lane on El Camino.
The extreme density and 6-story height of this proposed building should not be given a
variance. Squeezing 100 residential units into this building reminds me of the density of old
tenement buildings in New York. Some of the apartments that face into the narrow interior
courtyard won’t get adequate sun exposure and ventilation.
I live in a second-floor unit in the B-section of the Palo Alto Redwoods that directly faces the
4256 El Camino property. If the proposed 6-story residential building is constructed, my
present sightlines will be blocked by the 6-story mass, eliminating my view of the sky and
severely decreasing ambient light (because of the orientation of the B-section of our condo
complex, I receive only a sliver of direct sunlight during the early morning and then late in the
afternoon); with a huge building blocking my view, my unit will become very dark and
depressing. Our condo property values will be affected. The windows in the new building
would face directly into my bedroom and living room and rob me of privacy. The proximity of
the new building is way too close. In Palo Alto neighborhoods with one-story single-family
homes, there have been restrictions on the building of multi-story homes that would loom
over neighboring homes; shouldn't the same standards apply if a proposed new construction
would similarly affect the quality of life of neighboring condo owners?
Having a solid corridor of hotels, residence inns, and apartment & condo buildings along El
Camino is creating a soulless “canyon” which does nothing for the quality of life of nearby
residents; there are fewer and fewer shops and affordable restaurants along this section of El
Camino in Palo Alto. I would recommend that any new development reserve space on the first
floor (fronting on El Camino) for small commercial spaces, shops, cafés, (etc.) and reserve
some space for parking (since the bicycle lane has eliminated parking for quick stops).
When the City Council and Architectural Review Board eventually examine hard plans for
whatever will be constructed on the 4256 El Camino property, I hope they will advocate for a
more human-scale development that will be a better fit to co-exist with the neighboring Palo
Alto Redwoods. The present proposal is oppressive. I believe the same developer was involved
with a prior proposal for this property (a boutique hotel), so they are aware of issues (shadow
casts, the trees, etc.) that seem to have been ignored in the new proposal. I hope their
strategy isn’t to attempt to push something through using the “builder’s remedy.” At least the
hotel proposal gave a nod to setbacks as the building moved deeper into the lot (most of the
5-story volume fronted on El Camino).
I do support Palo Alto’s master plan and its aim to add more housing by encouraging denser
construction along transportation corridors such as El Camino, and I trust that each proposal
will be carefully examined.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Marshall Blanchard
Palo Alto Redwoods
4250 El Camino Real, Unit B-215
Palo Alto, CA 94306
<marshallblanchard2@gmail.com>
From:Mark Turner
To:Marilyn Librers; Don Austin; Palo Alto Daily Post
Cc:Salem Ajluni; Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan
Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca
Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong;
Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com;
cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl,
Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org;
board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov;
josh@joshsalcman.com; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james
pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez;
Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo
Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton;
Pat M; Dana St. George; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs,
Anne; Anna Griffin; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Friday, August 8, 2025 5:58:20 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Remove my name as well.
Mark Turner
Mayor
City of Morgan Hill
17575 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
D: 408.310.4647 C: 408.221.6203
mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov
morganhill.ca.gov | facebook | twitter
From: Marilyn Librers <marilyn.librers@morganhill.ca.gov>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:17 PM
To: Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Cc: Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg
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<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner
<GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada
<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>;
George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org; Julie Lythcott-Haims <Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>;
board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations <BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>;
jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark
Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider
<james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Donna Wallach
<donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach <cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha
<mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez <miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver
<damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins
<goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org; WILPF Peninsula Palo
Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith
<pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin
<griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin
Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Please remove my name from your mailing list immediately.
Marilyn Librers
From: Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:26 PM
To: Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Cc: Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg
<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com <jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>;
cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner
<GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada
<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>;
George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org <George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker
<Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;
board@valleywater.org <board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net <jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov <assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>;
Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org <michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin
<jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna
Wallach <cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org
<rabrica@cityofepa.org>; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF
Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith
<pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin
<griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
I can also be removed.
On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com> wrote:
Hello,
This email was delivered to me in error. Please take me off that list.
Dave Price
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 7:03 PM, Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituents
practiced by nearly all local government (not to mention state and federal government) is to
make the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—elected
positions.
>
> While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in the City
of Santa Clara--the only municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this is the
case.
>
> Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at least
not yet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these being
appointed by the Council like the City Manager.
>
> Salem
> From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM
> To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>
> Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy
<emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza
Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>;
Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free
Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>;
Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss
<lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA
<epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com
<jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; cromero@cityofepa.org
<cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug
Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed
Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith
Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org
<George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki
Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;
board@valleywater.org<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net<jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov<assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.go
v>; josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner
<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com
<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James
Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni
<ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin
<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach
<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean
Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>;
rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto
<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso,
Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M
<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations
Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>;
GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>;
Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>;
city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov<citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin
<jzalkin@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
> Hi Henry,
> You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robust
participatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall Meeting process, would be an
excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at true
democracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest
of us with just crumbs.
> Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026?
> Aram
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Aram
>
> Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared
during a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the public
and at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen control
consultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
>
> The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, provides
narrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest of
permanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific project
design are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
>
> Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit her
perspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly town
meeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having
Participated in and observed this non representative, all citizen,
> Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summer
residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable.
>
> Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire now
> And move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and
intention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, more
productive, government.
>
> Cheers
> Henry Etzkowitz
> “Back to the Agora”
> 2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate
> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San Jose
Superior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time.
> Www.triple helix.net
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in
2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her towards declaring in
favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in real time
before the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has
called the slaughter of Palestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to
remain silent on this issue without protests and push back.
>
> Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
>
> Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocide
https://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longe
has lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu
as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.
> >
> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor in
comparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carrying out a
so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a
“Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air
denial by forced
> > gas.
> >
> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!
> >
> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given
Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University should
speak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-
industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war
> >
> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs to
call with one voice for Gaza cease fire.
> >
> > Sincerely
> >
> > Henry Etzkowitz
> > 1766 sand Hill Road
> > Palo Alto CA 94304
> > 646 701 2695
> > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> > 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council
> >
> > www.triplehelix.net
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From:Marilyn Librers
To:Don Austin; Palo Alto Daily Post
Cc:Salem Ajluni; Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan
Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca
Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong;
Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com;
cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl,
Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org;
board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov;
josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley,
Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel
Rodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo
Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan;
Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan
Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:17:28 PM
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i
Please remove my name from your mailing list immediately.
Marilyn Librers
From: Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:26 PM
To: Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com>
Cc: Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>; Henry Etzkowitz
<H.Etzko@gmail.com>; Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg
<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com <jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>;
cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner
<GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada
<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>;
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<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker
<Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;
board@valleywater.org <board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net <jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov <assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>;
Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org <michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin
<jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna
Wallach <cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org
<rabrica@cityofepa.org>; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF
Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith
<pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin
<griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
I can also be removed.
On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com> wrote:
Hello,
This email was delivered to me in error. Please take me off that list.
Dave Price
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 7:03 PM, Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:>
> An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituentspracticed by nearly all local government (not to mention state and federal government) is to
make the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—electedpositions.
> > While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in the
City of Santa Clara--the only municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this isthe case.
> > Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at least
not yet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these beingappointed by the Council like the City Manager.
> > Salem
> From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>> Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM
> To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>> Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy<emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza
Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>;Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto FreePress <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>;
Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss<lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA
<epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com<jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; cromero@cityofepa.org
<cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; DougMinkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed
Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>;Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org
<George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Vicki Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org<board@pausd.org>; board@valleywater.org<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net<jessica@speiser.net>;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov<assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; JamesReifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni
<ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach
<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>;
Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>;rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso,Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations
Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>;GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>;
Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>;city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov<citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin<jzalkin@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure> Hi Henry,
> You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robustparticipatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall Meeting process, would be
an excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at truedemocracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest
of us with just crumbs. > Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026?
> Aram >
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:> Hi Aram
> > Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared
during a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the publicand at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen control
consultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality. >
> The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, providesnarrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest of
permanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific projectdesign are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
> > Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit her
perspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly townmeeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having
Participated in and observed this non representative, all citizen, > Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of
summer residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable. >
> Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire now> And move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and
intention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, moreproductive, government.
> > Cheers
> Henry Etzkowitz > “Back to the Agora”
> 2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San JoseSuperior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time. > Www.triple helix.net
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in
2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her towards declaring infavor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in real time
before the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greenehas called the slaughter of Palestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city
leaders to remain silent on this issue without protests and push back. >
> Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein >
> Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocidehttps://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
> > On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longehas lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu
as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.> >
> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minorin comparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carrying
out a so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steadyescalation to a “Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition
rather than air denial by forced> > gas.
> >> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!
> >> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given
Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University shouldspeak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-
industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war> >
> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs tocall with one voice for Gaza cease fire.
> >> > Sincerely
> >> > Henry Etzkowitz
> > 1766 sand Hill Road> > Palo Alto CA 94304
> > 646 701 2695> > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> > 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council> >
> > www.triplehelix.net
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From:amy wang
To:Council, City
Subject:Proposed Development at 4256 El Camino Real
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:16:27 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I am a resident of the Palo Alto Redwoods condominium complex, writing
to strongly oppose the proposed six-story, 100+ unit building at 4256 El
Camino Real.
This project would have a serious and permanent negative impact on our
entire community. The new building would be right in front of our
complex, completely blocking the open view and natural light we now
enjoy. All units on all floors — from level 1 to level 4 — would be
affected, not just a few. This is not a small issue. It changes the entire face
of our building.
Right now, we face beautiful redwood trees and an open space that brings
light and life to our homes. If this project goes forward, that will be
replaced by a tall wall — like putting a jail wall right in front of our homes.
That’s how it feels. We live here, and this project would take away
something very important from all of us.
The size, height, and scale of this building do not fit the neighborhood, and
they do not respect the existing residents. I urge you to reject this proposal
and protect the quality of life for current homeowners.
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
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Sincerely,
Amy Wang
Resident, Palo Alto Redwoods
From:Lu Liu
To:Eric Holm; m09anderson@gmail.com
Cc:Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org; board; lailijavid1@gmail.com; nancymoss@gmail.com; Council, City; Michael
Poole
Subject:Re: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck Parking on Middlefield Rd
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:23:17 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Thanks for the arrangement of the on-site parking for the construction trucks.
In addition, it will be highly desirable not to park cars on the east side of the Middlefield Road
between Garland Dr and the entrance of the school parking lot.
During the morning and afternoon school rush hours, this section of the curbsides is often used
as dropping off and picking up spots that significantly reduces the number of cars going in and
out of the parking lot. For student and other bikers, any car parking along this section of the
road will leave a very narrow pathway between heavy number of moving (or waiting to enter the
parking lot) cars and any stationary cars during the rush hours. For those reasons, we, the
neighbors, are seldomly parking our cars on the side of this section of the road.
I strongly suggest the project managers to encourage the contractors and their workers to park
their personal cars away from this section of the road to ensure the best traffic safety for the
students and the residents.
Thanks again for your consideration,
Lu at 2303 Middlefield
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Eric Holm <eholm@pausd.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:41 PM
To: m09anderson@gmail.com <m09anderson@gmail.com>
Cc: Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org <Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org>; board
<board@pausd.org>; lailijavid1@gmail.com <lailijavid1@gmail.com>; nancymoss@gmail.com
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
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<nancymoss@gmail.com>; shangwoodca@msn.com <shangwoodca@msn.com>;
City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org <City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Michael Poole
<mpoole@telacu.com>
Subject: Fwd: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck
Parking on Middlefield Rd
Dear Greene Neighbors,Thank you for bringing the traffic situation to our attention. Sorry I have not replied sooner.We have been working with our contractor on the issue but I have not had a chance to reply aswe are furiously finishing projects across most of our campuses as we get ready for students toreturn.
At Greene, in part, we had focused our attention on our own driveway along MIddlefieldwhere more vehicles are entering and exiting and we had not been looking further down thestreet.
Here is how we are addressing the situation:
We met with both the contractor and a police sergeant from PAPD You correctly cite that construction vehicles are not allowed to park in staff lots so thatthe staff is capable of getting to their classes to focus on their primary purpose ofeducating our students. The large trucks will begin parking on the job site monday after we repave a section ofdriveway that should finish tomorrow.Only small, personal vehicles of contractors and workers will be allowed to park alongmiddlefield. As it is public parking, other cars may still park there that we are not ableto control other public vehicles.
We do have parking challenges around the site so we will continue to monitor the impacts andappreciate you bringing the issue to our attention.If there are any construction issues that you notice, also please don't hesitate to reach out toour construction manager, Michael Poole at Telacu Construction Management:mpoole@telacu.com
Thank you, Eric Holm
Eric Holm
Director of Facilities and Construction
Palo Alto Unified School District
25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
eholm@pausd.org | 650-759-9447
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Vicky Lao <vlao@pausd.org>
Date: Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 11:12 AMSubject: Fwd: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck
Parking on Middlefield RdTo: Eric Holm <eholm@pausd.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Melissa Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 1:55 PMSubject: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck
Parking on Middlefield RdTo: <City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org>, <board@pausd.org>,
<Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org>Cc: Laili Javid <lailijavid1@gmail.com>, Nancy Moss <nancymoss@gmail.com>, Melissa
Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com>, <shangwoodca@msn.com>
Dear Council Members, PAUSD Board, Superintendent Austin, and Principal Carlomagno,
We are writing as residents at 2303 & 2311 & 2321 Middlefield Rd, and 701 GarlandDr (Middlefield side), to raise an urgent safety hazard threatening Greene Middle School
students.
Large construction vehicles associated with the ongoing school project have been parking
along Middlefield Road—directly in front of our driveways, obstructing visibility as we enterand exit (please see attached photos). Middlefield Rd is a major bike route used daily by
Greene students. Over the past weeks, we have narrowly avoided collisions with students onbicycles due to these blind spots and felt no time to react.
We’re gravely concerned that, unless this is addressed now, a collision—possibly severe—could occur.
This is entirely preventable. Despite Greene’s school parking lot being largely unused duringsummer, we were told contractors are forbidden from parking there. That policy must be
immediately reevaluated.
We respectfully demand immediate action:
1. Ban construction trucks from parking on Middlefield Rd adjacent to GreeneMiddle School, especially near student bike routes and residential driveways.
2. Require contractors to use Greene’s on-site parking lot or a designated off-streetlocation, not endangering students or reducing visibility for residents.
Please act before a preventable tragedy occurs. The safety of our children and communitycomes before any logistical inconvenience.
Thank you for your urgent attention.
Sincerely,Melissa AndersonLaili JavidLu LiuNancy Moss(Homeowners near Greene Middle School)
From:Don Austin
To:Palo Alto Daily Post
Cc:Salem Ajluni; Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan
Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca
Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong;
Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com;
cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl,
Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org;
board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov;
josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley,
Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel
Rodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo
Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan;
Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan
Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin; city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 5:27:12 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
I can also be removed.
On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 3:50 PM Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com> wrote:Hello,
This email was delivered to me in error. Please take me off that list.
Dave Price
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 7:03 PM, Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituents
practiced by nearly all local government (not to mention state and federal government) is tomake the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—elected
positions.>
> While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in theCity of Santa Clara--the only municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this is
the case.>
> Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at leastnot yet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these being
appointed by the Council like the City Manager.>
This message needs your attention
This is their first mail to some recipients.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
> Salem > From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM> To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>
> Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost<provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy
<emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; MarizaAlmeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>;
Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free
Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>;Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss
<lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA<epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com
<jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; cromero@cityofepa.org<cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug
Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; EdLauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org<George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>;Vicki Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org
<board@pausd.org>; board@valleywater.org<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net<jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov<assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner
<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com
<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James
Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni<ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin
<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>;Sean Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>;
rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>;craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto
<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso,
Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M
<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human RelationsCommission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>;
GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>;Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>;
city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;citycouncil@mountainview.gov<citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin
<jzalkin@gmail.com>> Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
> Hi Henry, > You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robust
participatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall Meeting process, would bean excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at true
democracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the restof us with just crumbs.
> Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026? > Aram
> > On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Aram>
> Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she sharedduring a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the public
and at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen controlconsultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
> > The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, provides
narrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest ofpermanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific project
design are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).>
> Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit herperspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly town
meeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. HavingParticipated in and observed this non representative, all citizen,
> Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive ofsummer residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable.
> > Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire now
> And move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope andintention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, more
productive, government. >
> Cheers > Henry Etzkowitz
> “Back to the Agora”> 2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate
> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice > Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San Jose
Superior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show asecond time.
> Www.triple helix.net>
> >
> Sent from my iPhone>
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:>
> Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her towards declaring in
favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in real timebefore the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene
has called the slaughter of Palestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our cityleaders to remain silent on this issue without protests and push back.
> > Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
> > Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocide
https://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>
> >> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longe
has lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.
> >> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor
in comparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carryingout a so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steady
escalation to a “Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutritionrather than air denial by forced
> > gas.> >
> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!> >
> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? GivenStanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University should
speak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war
> >> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs to
call with one voice for Gaza cease fire. > >
> > Sincerely> >
> > Henry Etzkowitz> > 1766 sand Hill Road
> > Palo Alto CA 94304> > 646 701 2695
> > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice> > 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council
> >> > www.triplehelix.net
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Palo Alto Daily Post
Cc:Salem Ajluni; Aram James; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Brian Good;
Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca Eisenberg; Hannah Lu;
Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss;
Emily Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner;
Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie;
Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Don Austin;
Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins;
rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Renters" Association Palo Alto; Blackshire,
Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George; Human
Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin;
city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 4:21:21 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.
Dear David
Presume you are post publisher. Kindly consider “Israel’s…”for publication
Best
Henry Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 7, 2025, at 3:50 PM, Palo Alto Daily Post <price@padailypost.com> wrote:
> > Hello,
> > This email was delivered to me in error. Please take me off that list.
> > Dave Price
> >> On Aug 6, 2025, at 7:03 PM, Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:
>> >> An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituents
practiced by nearly all local government (not to mention state and federal government) is tomake the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—elected
positions.>>
>> While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in the Cityof Santa Clara--the only municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this is the
case.>>
>> Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at leastnot yet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these being appointed
by the Council like the City Manager.>>
>> Salem>> From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM
>> To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>>> Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis
<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost
<provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy<emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza
Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>;Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto FreePress <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus
Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss<lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA
<epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com<jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>;
Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler<dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing
<Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; KeithReckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org
<George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki
Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;board@valleywater.org<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net<jessica@speiser.net>;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov<assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; JamesReifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni
<ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach
<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean
Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>;rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso,Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations
Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne
Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>;city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov<citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin<jzalkin@gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure>> Hi Henry,
>> You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robustparticipatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall Meeting process, would be an
excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at truedemocracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest of
us with just crumbs. >> Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026?
>> Aram >>
>> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>> Hi Aram
>> >> Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared
during a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the publicand at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen control
consultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality. >>
>> The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, providesnarrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest of
permanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific projectdesign are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
>> >> Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit her
perspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly town meetingdecision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having Participated
in and observed this non representative, all citizen,>> Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of
summer residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable. >>
>> Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire now>> And move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and
intention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, moreproductive, government.
>> >> Cheers
>> Henry Etzkowitz>> “Back to the Agora”
>> 2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate>> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
>> Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San JoseSuperior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time.>> Www.triple helix.net
>> >>
>> >> Sent from my iPhone
>> >> On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >> Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in
2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her towards declaring in favorof a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in real time before
the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has calledthe slaughter of Palestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to remain
silent on this issue without protests and push back.>>
>> Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein>>
>> Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocidehttps://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
>> >>> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> >>>
>>> The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longehas lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu as
Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.>>>
>>> But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor incomparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carrying out a
so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a“Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air
denial by forced>>> gas.
>>> >>> Cease fire Now:flood in food!
>>> >>> Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given
Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University shouldspeak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-
industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war>>>
>>> In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs tocall with one voice for Gaza cease fire.
>>> >>> Sincerely
>>> >>> Henry Etzkowitz
>>> 1766 sand Hill Road>>> Palo Alto CA 94304
>>> 646 701 2695>>> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
>>> 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council>>>
>>> www.triplehelix.net>
>
From:Palo Alto Daily Post
To:Salem Ajluni
Cc:Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Brian
Good; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca Eisenberg; Hannah
Lu; Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; Gardener, Liz; Liz
Kniss; Emily Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady
Sheyner; Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-
Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations;
jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder,
Andrew; CityCouncil; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda
Jolley; Don Austin; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen;
Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association;
Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George;
Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin;
city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:50:23 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.
Hello,
This email was delivered to me in error. Please take me off that list.
Dave Price
> On Aug 6, 2025, at 7:03 PM, Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituents
practiced by nearly all local government (not to mention state and federal government) is tomake the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—elected
positions.>
> While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in the Cityof Santa Clara--the only municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this is the
case.>
> Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at least notyet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these being appointed by
the Council like the City Manager.>
> Salem > From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM> To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>
> Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis<trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost<provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy
<emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; MarizaAlmeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>;
Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free
Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist <roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus
Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss<lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach <emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA
<epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com<jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>; cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>;
Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler<dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing
<Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; KeithReckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org
<George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki
Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;board@valleywater.org<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net<jessica@speiser.net>;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov<assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>;
CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org
<michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin <jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; JamesReifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni
<ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach
<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean
Allen <sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>;rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>;
craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto<wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso,Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M<p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations
Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green <dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne
Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>;city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov<citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin<jzalkin@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure> Hi Henry,
> You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robustparticipatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall Meeting process, would be an
excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at truedemocracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest of
us with just crumbs. > Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026?
> Aram >
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:> Hi Aram
> > Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared
during a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the publicand at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen control
consultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality. >
> The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, providesnarrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest of
permanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific projectdesign are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
> > Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit her
perspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly town meetingdecision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having Participated
in and observed this non representative, all citizen, > Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summer
residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable. >
> Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire now> And move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and
intention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, moreproductive, government.
> > Cheers
> Henry Etzkowitz > “Back to the Agora”
> 2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San JoseSuperior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time. > Www.triple helix.net
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in
2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her towards declaring in favorof a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in real time before
the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has calledthe slaughter of Palestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to remain
silent on this issue without protests and push back. >
> Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein >
> Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocidehttps://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
> > On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longehas lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu as
Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.> >
> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor incomparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carrying out a
so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a“Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air
denial by forced> > gas.
> >> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!
> >> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given
Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University shouldspeak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-
industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war> >
> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs tocall with one voice for Gaza cease fire.
> >> > Sincerely
> >> > Henry Etzkowitz
> > 1766 sand Hill Road> > Palo Alto CA 94304
> > 646 701 2695> > Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> > 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council> >
> > www.triplehelix.net
From:Eric Holm
To:m09anderson@gmail.com
Cc:Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org; board; lailijavid1@gmail.com; nancymoss@gmail.com;
shangwoodca@msn.com; Council, City; Michael Poole
Subject:Fwd: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck Parking on Middlefield Rd
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:42:17 PM
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i
Dear Greene Neighbors,
Thank you for bringing the traffic situation to our attention. Sorry I have not replied sooner.We have been working with our contractor on the issue but I have not had a chance to reply as
we are furiously finishing projects across most of our campuses as we get ready for students toreturn.
At Greene, in part, we had focused our attention on our own driveway along MIddlefield
where more vehicles are entering and exiting and we had not been looking further down thestreet.
Here is how we are addressing the situation:
We met with both the contractor and a police sergeant from PAPD You correctly cite that construction vehicles are not allowed to park in staff lots so that
the staff is capable of getting to their classes to focus on their primary purpose ofeducating our students.
The large trucks will begin parking on the job site monday after we repave a section ofdriveway that should finish tomorrow.
Only small, personal vehicles of contractors and workers will be allowed to park alongmiddlefield. As it is public parking, other cars may still park there that we are not able
to control other public vehicles.
We do have parking challenges around the site so we will continue to monitor the impacts and
appreciate you bringing the issue to our attention.If there are any construction issues that you notice, also please don't hesitate to reach out to
our construction manager, Michael Poole at Telacu ConstructionManagement: mpoole@telacu.com
Thank you,
Eric Holm
Eric Holm
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Director of Facilities and Construction
Palo Alto Unified School District
25 Churchill Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
eholm@pausd.org | 650-759-9447
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Vicky Lao <vlao@pausd.org>
Date: Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 11:12 AMSubject: Fwd: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck
Parking on Middlefield RdTo: Eric Holm <eholm@pausd.org>
---------- Forwarded message ---------From: Melissa Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 1:55 PMSubject: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck
Parking on Middlefield RdTo: <City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org>, <board@pausd.org>,
<Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org>Cc: Laili Javid <lailijavid1@gmail.com>, Nancy Moss <nancymoss@gmail.com>, Melissa
Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com>, <shangwoodca@msn.com>
Dear Council Members, PAUSD Board, Superintendent Austin, and Principal Carlomagno,
We are writing as residents at 2303 & 2311 & 2321 Middlefield Rd, and 701 GarlandDr (Middlefield side), to raise an urgent safety hazard threatening Greene Middle School
students.
Large construction vehicles associated with the ongoing school project have been parking
along Middlefield Road—directly in front of our driveways, obstructing visibility as we enterand exit (please see attached photos). Middlefield Rd is a major bike route used daily by
Greene students. Over the past weeks, we have narrowly avoided collisions with students onbicycles due to these blind spots and felt no time to react.
We’re gravely concerned that, unless this is addressed now, a collision—possibly severe—could occur.
This is entirely preventable. Despite Greene’s school parking lot being largely unused duringsummer, we were told contractors are forbidden from parking there. That policy must be
immediately reevaluated.
We respectfully demand immediate action:
1. Ban construction trucks from parking on Middlefield Rd adjacent to GreeneMiddle School, especially near student bike routes and residential driveways.
2. Require contractors to use Greene’s on-site parking lot or a designated off-streetlocation, not endangering students or reducing visibility for residents.
Please act before a preventable tragedy occurs. The safety of our children and communitycomes before any logistical inconvenience.
Thank you for your urgent attention.
Sincerely,Melissa AndersonLaili JavidLu LiuNancy Moss(Homeowners near Greene Middle School)
From:Jonathan Hull
To:Council, City
Cc:Maggie Bening
Subject:4256 El Camino - Proposed Housing Project - Agenda Item - August 11, 2025
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 3:06:13 PM
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i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256 El Camino
Real, Palo Alto that is being rushed through Council under the Planned Home Zoning (PHZ)
process "... a Palo Alto zoning mechanism that fell out of favor a decade ago, shortly after
voters rejected a 'planned community' zone change that would have facilitated the
construction of a 60-apartment complex for low-income seniors on Maybell Avenue. The
following year, the City Council agreed not to use the process anymore, citing public
disillusion with it" [Palo Alto Online 8/5/25]. Since the planned community zoning change was
rejected when it affected Maybell Ave., residents of El Camino Real deserve the same
protection. The increased height and density limits and reduced parking and open space
requirements that are possible under PHZ will cause increased traffic congestion on El Camino,
as described below, and cause an unfair taking of two of our guest parking spots.
This project will significantly restrict traffic on El Camino and make it difficult for residents of
our community to exit onto El Camino. This is because of the lack of parking for delivery
trucks and other service vehicles and the proposed curb cut for their garage that will begin
near our driveway. This means that trucks of all types will frequently block the right-most lane
of traffic on El Camino. This problem will be exacerbated by the recently implemented bike
lane that cannot be used for parking. Please note that we have ample space for large delivery
trucks to drive onto our property and turn around before exiting onto El Camino. As we all
know, with the increased usage of ecommerce in the last few years, those trucks are coming
and going all day. The 4256 project does not have a similar driveway. The result will be a
constant obstruction of traffic on El Camino that will negatively impact the thousands of
vehicles that drive down El Camino every day. Not just those of me and my neighbors.
Also, guests of the multifamily development at 4256 El Camino Real will need a place to
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park. The plan set only depicts 110 spaces, one for each resident. No spaces are provided for
guests and there are no parking spaces on El Camino because of the bike lane. There are two
parking spaces in the front of our community that are currently used by our
guests. Undoubtedly, despite the whatever signage is posted near our spaces, our parking
spaces will be used by guests of the 4256 property. This will be an unfair loss of use caused by
the lack of adequate parking at the proposed project.
Furthermore, the 6 story condominium and apartment complex proposed at 4256 El Camino
Real will tower over us and negatively impact us in many ways. It is too massive and will block
light, increase noise levels, pose public health risks, create traffic safety issues, and
permanently reduce the quiet enjoyment of our homes and common areas.
Considering the issues raised above, I urge the City Council to:
Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study.
Ensure the project design respects the privacy and character of the existing
neighborhood.
Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to prevent spillover onto neighboring
properties.
Maintain open communication with local residents and organizations during planning
and construction.
While I support new housing in Palo Alto, I believe addressing these concerns will lead to
better outcomes for both current and future residents.
Sincerely,
Jonathan J. Hull, owner
4250 El Camino Real B120
Palo Alto, CA 94306
From:Richard Mager
To:Council, City; Switzer, Steven
Subject:Rezoning Proposal for 332 Forest Avenue: City Meeting Aug 11
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 1:29:39 PM
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Dear Planning Department,
I am writing to you as the City of Palo Alto is considering a proposal to rezone the
property at 332 Forest Avenue. I live in the three-story adjacent property (707 Bryant
Street).
It looks like the plan would be to allow the construction of an 8-story, 82-unit
apartment complex. No other apartment building in our neighborhood comes close
to the scale and size of this building and I fear that this project would drastically change the character of this quiet
neighborhood, block views, and create significant impacts in terms of traffic, noise,
privacy, and parking congestion.
Someone said that parking would be above ground on the first few floors. The noise
created by this would be very disturbing to the residents on that side of our building.
Please try to keep any project reasonable in scale and have the parking underground.
Sincerely,
Richard and Shari MagerApartment 302
Palo Alto, CA 94301
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From:upcomingsales@friendspaloaltolib.org
To:Council, City
Subject:August 2025 Book Sale - Friends of the Palo Alto Library
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 12:39:12 PM
BOOK SALE
NEWSLETTERTHIS WEEKEND ATCUBBERLEY
Visit our web site
CUBBERLEY USED
BOOK SALES
Saturday August 9Main Room 11am - 4pmBargain Room 9:30am - 4pmChildren's Room 10am - 4pmPopup Music Sale 10am - 2pm(outside Main Room)
Sunday August 10
All Rooms 1pm - 4pm
FEATURED IN
AUGUST
Graphic Novels:
Marvel Essentials!
Cooking
Easton PressArt
Science
4000 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto
NE corner of the Cubberley
Community Center(650) 213-8755
www.fopal.org
Maps and Directions
More information on the sales
Donate your used books, DVDs, &c
ALL NET PROCEEDS GO TO HELP PALO
ALTO LIBRARIES
Main Room
In our Main Room, prices are way below
what used book stores charge.
Hardcover books start at $3 and
softcover books start at only $2.
No numbered tickets this month!
Please note that due to crowding duringthe first two hours of the Book Sale, nostrollers, rolling carts, etc. can bebrought into the Main Room. This is forthe safety of shoppers and volunteersalike. By 12:30 or so, the crowd thinsout and shoppers are welcome to bringthese items into the sale.
Children's Book Sale
The Children's Room is located in the
portable next to the soccer field near
Greendell School. It is entirely filled
with children's books and toys. You'll
find picture books, school age fiction
and non-fiction, fiction for teens, award
winners, non-English titles, CDs and
DVDs, and books for parents and
teachers, many for 50 cents or $1.
Strollers are welcome in the Children's
Room at any time.
Bargain Books in H-2
The Bargain Room is located in Rooms
H-2 and H-3 of the Cubberley main
campus, between our Main Room and
Middlefield Road. On Saturday,
paperbacks are $1, hardcovers are $2,
and children's books are 50 cents each.
The room also contains many records,
CDs, and DVDs at $1 each. On Sunday,
the room opens at 1 pm and all prices
are half off. Or, save even more on
Sunday by buying green FOPAL reusable
bags from us for $4/ea (or bring your
own grocery-size reusable bag) and
stuffing them with any items in the
room for $5/bag. Fill four bags at
$5/bag and fill a fifth bag FREE!
Library News
The Library's Summer Reading Program theme this year is "Book A Trip", it is in its wrap-
up phase and readers have read more than enough to get us to make a donation toPupcycled, and readers can pick up their prizes at Children's, Mitchell Park, or RinconadaLibrary through August 31 while supplies last. More info on the Library's web site.
All branches will be closed on September 1 for the Labor Day holiday. Plan accordingly.
You could find out about these sorts of things in a slightly more timely manner by
subscribing to the Library's mailing list. Like us, they send one or two messages per
month, more usually one.
You can find out about other things they want you to know from the Palo Alto City Library
Blogs page. Or you can subscribe to them with an RSS reader.
-Frank McConnell
SciFi & Comics
The Science Fiction and Fantasy section features a huge collection of the Bantam
editions of the Doc Savage pulp novels by "Kenneth Robeson." Over 140 books in nicecondition, missing being a complete set by one of the later omnibus volumes. Also look fora bunch of Martha Wells' "Murderbot" books, sets of Cixin Liu's "Three Body Problem"trilogy, a half-shelf of Terry Pratchett, and multiple books from Rebecca Yarrow, BrandonSanderson, and N. K. Jemisin.
In Comics and Graphic Novels, find collections of classic newspaper strips like Pogo,
Dick Tracy, and Li'l Abner, and a bunch of the Marvel "Essentials" reprint albums.
Shelf pictures on fopalbooks.com.
-Rich McAllister
Home & Crafts
With schools back in session soon, there'll be more time for Crafts and many of thoseHome maintenance and repair projects. Take a look and see what's available, as well as all
the guides that are new in August.
This month in Fashion, try 1000 Dresses: The Fashion Design Resource, and at the otherend of the spectrum, Street Style by Ted Polhemus. We have two fashion retrospectives:Fashion: From the 18th to the 20th Century, and The Look of the Century: Design Icons ofthe 20th Century. There are several beauty tips from Face Forward by Kevyn Aucoin toGreat Hair: Elegant Styles for Every Occasion. Home decorating features Décors Barbares:The Enchanting Interiors of Nathalie Farman-Farma. If you want to start your own designbusiness you'll want to buy Becoming an Interior Designer. Regional designs showcaseSwedish Interiors, and the little book of Houses of the World. Also this month there is anarray of concepts for kitchen and bath. Home building offers a two-volume collection of The
Not So Big House titles. To get you started on all those home projects are multiple
resources for home maintenance and repairs: Grandpa's 5001 Handyman Secrets, Lowe's
Complete Home Improvement and Repair, and the Reader's Digest Practical Problem
Solver, to name a few.
This month in Floral Arts we have Paradise Contained: Growing and Decorating with Flower
Bulbs. Just in for relaxation is Bloom: A meditative Coloring Book for Cultivating a Calm
Mind. New in Crafts to help plan for the fall, try Play with Your Pumpkins. In jewelry this
month you'll find Build Your Own Wire Pendants, and also The New Encyclopedia of
Jewelry-Making Techniques. In Fabric Arts you'll discover Outlander Knitting: The Official
Book of 20 Knits Inspired by the Hit Series, and Loop-d-Loop: More Than 40 Novel Designs
for Knitters. Sewing specialties include The American Dutchess Guide to 18th Century
Dressmaking. In addition there are quilting, crochet, needlepoint, and embroidery
resources to assist you with all your fabric projects.
eShelf photos can be found at https://fopalbooks.com/crafts.html.
-Virginia Perry
Antiques & Collections
In the month of August you'll find Mauchline Ware: A Collector's Guide, as well as
Peranakan Chinese Porcelain. New in store is A Field Guide to American Houses. In additionyou'll discover the Tell City Primer of Early American Home Decorating, and A Treasury ofEarly American Homes by Richard Pratt. Look for stamps and coins, jewelry, watches, andclocks, furniture and rugs, plus other antique guides for your collecting reference.
eShelf photo can be found at https://fopalbooks.com/crafts.html.
-Virginia Perry
Poetry
August, a symphony of heat and haze
Where summer's fervor continues its blaze.
In poetry circles, you can't beat the Beats,
So this month we've given them top row seats.
Black poets cover another top shelf,
With themes that range from the world to the self.
Blazing with fervor for writers of verse
Shop FOPAL's big sale; you could do much worse.
https://fopalbooks.com/poetry.html
-Mandy MacCalla
Religion
Find the box on bottom shelf filled with 12 volumes of Interpreter's Bible, 1955, priced at
$32, less than half of online price. Also the following specials:
Soren Kierkegaard, Training in Christianity
Richard Rohr's new The Tears of Things
St. Augustine, Faith Hope and Charity
C.J. Jung, Answer to Job
The Writings of John Greenwood and Henry Barrow 1581-1593
Bhikkhu, Christianity and Buddhism
Freeman, The Good Shepherd: Image, Meaning and Power
Igor, The Immortal Mind
-Nancy Cohen
Sociology/Anthropology
For the upcoming sale, the Sociology/Anthropology section offers 446 books. The
largest collection, as always, is in a sub-section on theory and methods (81 books),
followed by a U.S. Self-Reflection sub-section (64), and Cultural Anthropology (60). One of
the surprises of the August sale is the 1972 book, The Myth of Population Control: Family,
Caste and Class in an Indian Village, by Mahmood Mamdani. The book discusses the first
major field study of birth control in India, set in Khanna in Punjab, which failed at a cost of
one million dollars to the Rockefeller Foundation and the Indian government. Mamdani
criticizes the 'population problem' theorists and their assumptions about economic growth,
particularly regarding rural population growth in the third world. Mamdani is an acclaimed
academician and political commentator; he is also the father of Zohran Mamdani, the
Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City in the 2025 election. Another book
featured by the Sociology/Anthropology section that I want to introduce is a 2024 book,
The Message, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. The Message is a collection of commentaries on African
ancestry and identity, political power and polarization, and a damning assessment of the
long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Shelf pictures at <https://fopalbooks.com/social.html>.
-Natalia Koulinka
Children's Room
On the classics shelves in the School-age Fiction section, we have a beautiful pop-up
edition of Gods and Heroes, large read-aloud editions of Little House in the Big Woods andCharlotte's Web (perfect for teachers to read in class), and also Watership Down, Peter Panand Wendy, A Paddington Treasury, and Pippi Longstocking. Nearby, see all of our Diary ofa Wimpy Kid books, both the first books in the series and some very recently publishededitions. We have some unique Harry Potter offerings this month: specially designed pop-up editions of the first two books in the series, and a beautifully illustrated version of HarryPotter and the Sorcerer's Stone. We also have a full early chapter books section, includingmany popular series. Finally, look in our award-winning authors section for lovely editionsof Roald Dahl's books.
Our Giftable Better Hardbacks section includes quite a few Caldecott and Caldecott Honor
winners, which you'll find on the award-winners display.
Yes, it's August--but think ahead to December! Peruse our Activity bins and shelves to
make an early start on holiday shopping for ALL ages! You'll find a plethora of games,
loads of puzzles, and some very special toys including a Melissa & Doug pizza oven, a PLAN
Toys Build 'n' Spin, a LEGO Minecraft stop-motion movie set, and two brand-new
costumes! In our crafts area, we have several sets of "professional" artist brushes and an
electric Lite-Brite. Our graphic novels shelves are bursting with our largest selection ever;
we also have several Harry Potter audio books on CDs, and some beautifully illustrated
cookbooks. For the upcoming school year, we have a large collection of mathematics
books, including contest prep workbooks and many sets of Beast Academy. There's a
tangram classroom set, along with individual puzzles. And while you browse, be sure to
check out the science kits.
-Carolyn Davidson
Children's Vintage
August is the dog days of summer and the perfect time to curl up with a good book by the
pool or under a tree. Try out one of the 20 volumes of Classics to Grow On (everything
from Aesop's Fables to A Tale of Two Cities to short stories by O. Henry) or read up on
your favorite composer in a book by Opal Wheeler (this month: Franz Schubert, Sebastian
Bach, Paganini, or American composer, Stephen Foster). We also have many books by
Scott O'Dell (Island of the Blue Dolphins) including a signed first copy of his Hill of the
Hawk. And if you like your reading in a set, try the 8-volume Picturesque Tale of Progress
from the 1930s. Featured illustrators this month include Patricia Polacco (The Keeping
Quilt), Virginia Burton (Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel), Arnold Lobel (Frog and Toad)
and Garth Williams (Little House books, Charlotte's Web, and many books for younger
readers). And following on past months' selections, we again have children's vintage games
and puzzles including a Rand-McNally globe from the 1960s. See shelf pictures of all these
treasures at www.fopalbooks.com.
-Lisa Heitman
Nature
Ever wondered how you could live off the land a little better, despite living in an area
surrounded by concrete highways and AI billboards? This month, FOPAL has all the
information you need to get started farmsteading, from raising chickens and rabbits to
foraging edible fruits (it's blackberry season!). And just because they're not on the main
shelf, don't overlook our oversized and coffee table books, with some amazing space
photographs and vintage Audobon bird illustrations.
-Serena Bramble
Judaica
Browse the Judaica section for books on the Jewish religion and culture including editions
of the Torah and other basic texts, Kabbalah, Jewish history, the Holocaust, memoirs,
Israel, Jewish Women, the Jewish American Experience and other related subjects.
Special interest this month -
Three Ordinary Girls: The Remarkable Story of three Dutch Teenagers Who Became
Spies, Saboteurs, Nazi Assassins--and WWII Heroes
Forever My Jerusalem: A personal account of the siege and surrender of Jerusalem's
Old City in 1948
Voices from the Yiddish: essays, memoirs, diaries
By the Grace of the Game: The Holocaust, a Basketball Legacy, and an
Unprecedented American Dream
The Story of the Jews A 4,000-Year Adventure--A Graphic History Book
Thou Shalt Innovate: How Israeli Ingenuity Repairs the World
Most fiction with Jewish themes will be found in Modern Literature/Classics or Current
Fiction. Books entirely in Hebrew are shelved in the European Languages section.
Shelf photos at https://fopalbooks.com/judaica.html
-Charlotte Epstein, Judaica Section Manager
Romance
FOPAL now has a Romance section! Located near popular fiction, our Romance selection
includes authors like Emily Henry, Ashley Herring Blake, Elin Hilderbrand, Danielle Steele,and Lyla Sage.
-Mal Meisels
Books on Books
Our new Books on Books section offers a diverse selection of texts for bibliophiles! Topics
include bookbinding, illuminated manuscripts, graphic novels, and histories of bookstores
and book collecting. Books on Books is located near the front entrance.
-Mal Meisels
Mitchell Park Store
The Mitchell Park Store is open seven days a week during library hours so if you can't
make the sale every month we are a great shopping alternative. We stock the major
sections of the Main Room but also have some of the smaller sections that you might
overlook at the sale. We love to surprise our customers with unique books that they missed
seeing at the monthly sale.
Our free standing bookcase features different genres on a rotating basis. This past month
we have been featuring travel books so as to synchronize with the Library's Summer
Reading Program travel theme. We are also currently winding down a display of the Patrick
O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin historical novels. If you hurry you may be able to find your missing
volume of the twenty-one books in the series. Next up we are featuring the Maisie Dobbs
series by Jacqueline Winspear. Recently Ms. Winspear announced that she has written the
last book, number eighteen, of these historical mysteries. We have a selection of almost all
of the volumes. Please check out both sides of the bookcase because each side has a
different subject.
Our next featured display is Poetry. It will be a great selection so don't miss it!
The store is self-service and payment is on the honor system. Generally the store is staffed
by one of our FOPAL volunteers during mid-afternoon. They are most happy to answer your
questions and take suggestions. Payment is by cash, Zelle, or PayPal. (Cash preferred)
Rinconada and Downtown Stores are also open during library hours. Although they are
smaller than MP each store has an interesting and changing selection of books for
purchase.
-Suzanne Little, MP Manager
Self Help/Personal Growth
This month in Self Help/Personal Growth the shelves are full of great deals! There are
four shelves of 'Popular on Amazon' books, including multiple copies of Designing Your Life.
Some 'Popular on Amazon' books published in 2025 are on a nearby top shelf and include:
The Prism (multiple copies), How to be Dateable; The Essential; and This is the Thing. If
you're interested in workbooks, for you or your clients, there are six sets of workbooks
with the books and 13 solo workbooks. Two fun card sets we have are: Byron Katie's
Katieisms, and Emotional Barometer. If Narcissism is your specialty, you're in luck: We
have 8+ books on the subject. Whatever your interest, we'll probably have something for
you. Enjoy browsing,
-Marnie
History
August features African-American history, Immigrants, and Regional history, as well as the
usual gamut of books from ancient Greece to the modern Middle East. There are also some
older books for sale: the history may be dated, but some have beautiful color illustrations.
-Lin McAllister
Bargain Room
The Bargain Room is experiencing a remarkable fullness for a sale four weeks after the
previous sale. Shelves are full, we're stashing recent arrivals for next month.
Looks like we're going to have 20 boxes of records out. Many classical and opera. Somepopular music and some other sound. Most vinyl, some shellac. CDs will be somewhereless usual, not sure where yet but that's how many records there are. And yes there willalso be a music pop up sale on Saturday outside the Main Room!
-Frank McConnell
Donations
We accept donations on Monday through Saturday from 3-5 pm in the Main Room. But we
close to donations in the week before the sale so that we can prepare the Main Room for
the sale, which means that we are closed for donations from Sunday August 3 through
Sunday August 10. Please hold your donations until Monday August 11.
Please read our donation guidelines before you bring materials to us.
Suggestions?
We're always eager to hear your suggestions for ways to improve our book sale. Please
email us at suggestions@friendspaloaltolib.org.
This notice comes to you from the non-profit organization Friends of the Palo Alto Library. No trees werefelled in the making of this e-mail. Visit our web site. Become a member by joining online.
Be sure to receive your own free copy of this e-mail notice so that you'll know about all special upcomingbooks sales. To sign up, just e-mail us. We carefully protect the privacy of your e-mail address. We will notshare your e-mail address with any other organization and we will not use it for any purpose other than tosend you these notices. If you do not wish to receive these e-mail notices in the future, please reply withthe words "Remove Me" in the first line of the text.
From:Aram James
To:h.etzko@gmail.com; Sean Allen; Yusra Hussain; Doug Minkler; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Palo Alto FreePress; Donna Wallach; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District23; board@pausd.org; Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; Dana St. George; Gerry Gras;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Cribbs, Anne;planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Human Relations Commission; Damon Silver;Rodriguez, Miguel; Pat M; james pitkin; Mark Turner; city.council@menlopark.gov; CityCouncil;<michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; Binder, Andrew; Justin Zalkin; Reckdahl, Keith; Ed Lauing;editor@almanacnews.com; editor@paweekly.com; Tom DuBois; EPA Today; bos@smcgov.org;board@valleywater.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Diana Diamond; vramirez@redwoodcity.org; BillNewell; Raymond Goins; Gardener, Liz; Lotus Fong; Rose Lynn; Rowena Chiu
Cc:Council, City; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Carol Kiparsky; Roberta Ahlquist; Brian Good;
Dave Price; Vicki Veenker; Josh Becker; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen
Subject:Re: immoral or Amoral United front?
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:58:27 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Henry,
You say things so poetically!! Me more like a bull dog or sledge hammer than a poet!!
Avram “End The Genocide Now!! Finkelstein
On Thu, Aug 7, 2025 at 11:05 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Correct
Julie charter member Council “wall of silence”
Incumbents persisting will be too shamed and ashamed to seek reelection Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 7, 2025, at 10:02 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
FYI: Brian—here is an exchange you may have missed. Was sent to most of theusual suspects.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
My dear brave friend Henry,
Julie came closest to breaking the silence, but to my knowledge, she hasNEVER demanded of her colleagues that a ceasefire resolution be placed on
the council agenda for a robust public discussion and a subsequent vote.Similarly, unless I missed it, Julie has NEVER called out or spoken from the
dais: "End the Genocide Now!"
As MLK said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Sleep well my friend,
Aram
P.S. Julie, if my recollection is wrong, I invite you to correct the record.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz wrote:dear Aram
Upon reflection, agree with your assessment. Despite minor differences inprogressiveness on other issues; there is an implacable wall on Gaza ceaseFire when implored in succession, there was not a flicker of sympathy fromthe impassive diased.
Sadly,Henry
Ps Marjorie Taylor Green is now cited as moral political role modelSent from my iPhone
From:Lu Liu
To:Melissa Anderson; Council, City; board@pausd.org; Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org
Cc:Laili Javid; Nancy Moss
Subject:Re: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck Parking on Middlefield Rd
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:48:39 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
it might be more desirable to designate the section of the N Cal Avenue alongside of the school
sport field as the construction truck parking area. There is no in and out traffic and it's close to
the construction area.
Thanks for the consideration,
Best regards,
Lu at 2303 Middlefield
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Melissa Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:14:30 AM
To: City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org <City.Council@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org
<board@pausd.org>; Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org <Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org>
Cc: Laili Javid <lailijavid1@gmail.com>; Nancy Moss <nancymoss@gmail.com>;
shangwoodca@msn.com <shangwoodca@msn.com>
Subject: Re: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck Parking
on Middlefield Rd
Dear Council Members, PAUSD Board, Superintendent Austin, and Principal Carlomagno,
We—residents at 2303 & 2311 & 2321 Middlefield Rd, and 701 Garland Dr—aredeeply disappointed by the lack of response to our urgent safety concerns. With school starting
in one week, the silence feels unconscionable.
We expected a reply—particularly from elected officials like Alison Kamhi, who ran
explicitly on student safety, and Councilmembers Pat Burt and George Lu, who likewise
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
emphasized public and road safety in their campaigns.
With kids biking or scooting to and from Greene daily, residents have maneuvered driveways
with extreme caution. Now, obstructed sightlines caused by construction trucks createdangerous blindspots, making accidents almost inevitable.
We consulted with Traffic Sergeant Ken Kratt (Palo Alto Police). He confirmed the trucksare technically legally parked—but noted that during prior school construction projects (e.g.,at Gunn and Palo Verde), trucks were allowed to park at school parking lots. He believesprohibition of this at Greene is a policy choice made by the district or city—and only thosebodies have the authority to reverse it.
We therefore demand immediate action:
Rescind this policy and allow contractors to use Greene’s parking lot or anotheroff‑street location.
Enforce a ban on construction vehicle parking on Middlefield Road adjacent to theschool, especially near bike routes.
Time is of the essence. With school starting in just one week and hundreds ofstudents biking and walking through this corridor daily, we urge you to prioritize their
safety. We request a written response, outlining your plan to resolve this before
school begins.
Respectfully,
Melissa AndersonLaili JavidLu LiuNancy Moss(Homeowners on the same block as Greene’s Middlefield parking lot — high student bike andfoot traffic zone)
On Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM Melissa Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Council Members, PAUSD Board, Superintendent Austin, and Principal Carlomagno,
We are writing as residents at 2303 & 2311 & 2321 Middlefield Rd, and 701 GarlandDr (Middlefield side), to raise an urgent safety hazard threatening Greene Middle Schoolstudents.
Large construction vehicles associated with the ongoing school project have been parkingalong Middlefield Road—directly in front of our driveways, obstructing visibility as weenter and exit (please see attached photos). Middlefield Rd is a major bike route used dailyby Greene students. Over the past weeks, we have narrowly avoided collisions with studentson bicycles due to these blind spots and felt no time to react.
We’re gravely concerned that, unless this is addressed now, a collision—possibly severe—could occur.
This is entirely preventable. Despite Greene’s school parking lot being largely unusedduring summer, we were told contractors are forbidden from parking there. That policy mustbe immediately reevaluated.
We respectfully demand immediate action:
1. Ban construction trucks from parking on Middlefield Rd adjacent to Greene
Middle School, especially near student bike routes and residential driveways.
2. Require contractors to use Greene’s on-site parking lot or a designated off-street location, not endangering students or reducing visibility for residents.
Please act before a preventable tragedy occurs. The safety of our children and community
comes before any logistical inconvenience.
Thank you for your urgent attention.
Sincerely,Melissa Anderson
Laili JavidLu Liu
Nancy Moss(Homeowners near Greene Middle School)
From:Ardan Michael Blum
To:d.Lauing@paloalto.gov; Veenker, Vicki; Burt, Patrick; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Lu, George; Reckdahl, Keith; Stone,Greer; Council, City
Cc:Ah Yun, Mahealani
Subject:All too often, ambitious project visions eclipse essential details that can lead to unintended, lasting impacts.
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:30:54 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
Dear Members of the Palo Alto City Council,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Palo Alto to advocate for amore thorough and comprehensive review process for building anddevelopment proposals. My comments focus on the proposed eight-storyhousing project at 332 Forest Avenue, part of the South of Forest Area(SOFA) Coordinated Area Plan (CAP) Phase 2.
While I commend the city's commitment to addressing our housingshortage, I urge greater scrutiny of project details to ensure theyalign with the community's long-term well-being.
All too often, ambitious project visions eclipse essential detailsthat can lead to unintended, lasting impacts. In the case of 332Forest Avenue—located near the library and City Hall—this developmentwould adjoin the existing tall Casa building but disrupt aneighborhood that has maintained a charming blend of smallerstructures, with only occasional taller ones, for many decades.
Introducing another large-scale "monster building" would irrevocablyalter the area's character and, for residents at nearby addresses like345 Forest, permanently obstruct southward views.
Moreover, the demolition and construction phases of such projectsimpose significant burdens on surrounding residents, a factor thatwarrants more attention in approvals.
These activities generate excessive noise, dust, and trafficdisruptions, which can be intolerable for those in adjacent rentalunits—often leading to involuntary displacement among financiallyvulnerable households.
To mitigate health risks, I strongly recommend mandating acomprehensive pre-demolition inspection for hazardous materials,including asbestos and lead, in the building's basement andfoundation.
Though I have no specific knowledge of contaminants at this site,proactive testing is crucial given its proximity to hundreds of
residents.
Looking ahead, Palo Alto must prioritize sustainable community
development beyond mere housing expansion. This includes fosteringpublic dialogue on rent control to stabilize housing for manyresidents. I suggest incorporating a clause in this project—and allfuture ones—stipulating that, should rent control legislation beenacted, properties built beforehand would retroactively comply withits provisions.
Additionally, I request greater transparency from the applicantregarding project specifics. For example, the plans reference studiosand an on-site gym; the Planning Department should require explicitclarification on whether this amenity will result in higher rents forthose units.
I do not oppose progress, but I believe it must be equitable,thoughtful, and inclusive. I respectfully ask the City Council andPlanning Department to adopt a more rigorous evaluation framework thatbalances broad goals with granular details affecting residents' dailylives.
Thank you for your attention to this vital issue.
Sincerely,
Ardan Michael Blum
From:Melissa Anderson
To:Council, City; board@pausd.org; Courtney.Carlomagno@pausd.org
Cc:Laili Javid; Nancy Moss; shangwoodca@msn.com
Subject:Re: Urgent Safety Risk to Greene Middle School Students from Construction Truck Parking on Middlefield Rd
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:16:13 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Council Members, PAUSD Board, Superintendent Austin, and Principal Carlomagno,
We—residents at 2303 & 2311 & 2321 Middlefield Rd, and 701 Garland Dr—aredeeply disappointed by the lack of response to our urgent safety concerns. With school starting
in one week, the silence feels unconscionable.
We expected a reply—particularly from elected officials like Alison Kamhi, who ran
explicitly on student safety, and Councilmembers Pat Burt and George Lu, who likewiseemphasized public and road safety in their campaigns.
With kids biking or scooting to and from Greene daily, residents have maneuvered drivewayswith extreme caution. Now, obstructed sightlines caused by construction trucks create
dangerous blindspots, making accidents almost inevitable.
We consulted with Traffic Sergeant Ken Kratt (Palo Alto Police). He confirmed the trucksare technically legally parked—but noted that during prior school construction projects (e.g.,at Gunn and Palo Verde), trucks were allowed to park at school parking lots. He believesprohibition of this at Greene is a policy choice made by the district or city—and only thosebodies have the authority to reverse it.
We therefore demand immediate action:
Rescind this policy and allow contractors to use Greene’s parking lot or anotheroff‑street location.
Enforce a ban on construction vehicle parking on Middlefield Road adjacent to theschool, especially near bike routes.
Time is of the essence. With school starting in just one week and hundreds of
students biking and walking through this corridor daily, we urge you to prioritize their
safety. We request a written response, outlining your plan to resolve this before
school begins.
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
Respectfully,
Melissa Anderson
Laili JavidLu Liu
Nancy Moss(Homeowners on the same block as Greene’s Middlefield parking lot — high student bike and
foot traffic zone)
On Thu, Jul 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM Melissa Anderson <m09anderson@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Council Members, PAUSD Board, Superintendent Austin, and Principal Carlomagno,
We are writing as residents at 2303 & 2311 & 2321 Middlefield Rd, and 701 GarlandDr (Middlefield side), to raise an urgent safety hazard threatening Greene Middle School
students.
Large construction vehicles associated with the ongoing school project have been parking
along Middlefield Road—directly in front of our driveways, obstructing visibility as weenter and exit (please see attached photos). Middlefield Rd is a major bike route used daily
by Greene students. Over the past weeks, we have narrowly avoided collisions with studentson bicycles due to these blind spots and felt no time to react.
We’re gravely concerned that, unless this is addressed now, a collision—possibly severe—could occur.
This is entirely preventable. Despite Greene’s school parking lot being largely unusedduring summer, we were told contractors are forbidden from parking there. That policy must
be immediately reevaluated.
We respectfully demand immediate action:
1. Ban construction trucks from parking on Middlefield Rd adjacent to GreeneMiddle School, especially near student bike routes and residential driveways.
2. Require contractors to use Greene’s on-site parking lot or a designated off-street location, not endangering students or reducing visibility for residents.
Please act before a preventable tragedy occurs. The safety of our children and communitycomes before any logistical inconvenience.
Thank you for your urgent attention.
Sincerely,Melissa AndersonLaili JavidLu LiuNancy Moss(Homeowners near Greene Middle School)
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Aram James; Council, City; Office of the Provost; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Carol Kiparsky; Roberta Ahlquist
Subject:Re: immoral or Amoral United front?
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 11:05:37 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Correct
Julie charter member Council “wall of silence”
Incumbents persisting will be too shamed and ashamed to seek reelection
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 7, 2025, at 10:02 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:FYI: Brian—here is an exchange you may have missed. Was sent to most of the
usual suspects.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:My dear brave friend Henry,
Julie came closest to breaking the silence, but to my knowledge, she has
NEVER demanded of her colleagues that a ceasefire resolution be placed on thecouncil agenda for a robust public discussion and a subsequent vote. Similarly,
unless I missed it, Julie has NEVER called out or spoken from the dais: "Endthe Genocide Now!"
As MLK said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Sleep well my friend,
Aram
P.S. Julie, if my recollection is wrong, I invite you to correct the record.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz wrote:dear Aram
Upon reflection, agree with your assessment. Despite minor differences inprogressiveness on other issues; there is an implacable wall on Gaza ceaseFire when implored in succession, there was not a flicker of sympathy fromthe impassive diased.
Sadly,Henry
Ps Marjorie Taylor Green is now cited as moral political role model
Sent from my iPhone
From:Clerk, City
To:Council, City
Subject:FW: Letter Regarding 332 Forest Avenue Proposal (25PLN‑00130)
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:36:14 AM
Attachments:Opposition Letter to 332 Forest Avenue Rezoning.pdf
Good morning City Council,
Please see the attached public comment.
Thank you,
City Clerk’s Office
From: Doron Noyman <dnoyman@aol.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 5, 2025 6:27 PM
To: Switzer, Steven <Steven.Switzer@paloalto.gov>
Cc: Donna Noyman <donnanoyman@gmail.com>
Subject: Letter Regarding 332 Forest Avenue Proposal (25PLN‑00130)
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Mr. Switzer, Attached is my letter regarding the proposed development at 332 Forest Avenue. I will not be able to attend the meeting on Monday, August 11, but I would like to ensure that my comments are taken into consideration as part of the public record.Thank you for your
CGBANNERINDICATORDear Mr. Switzer,
Attached is my letter regarding the proposed development at 332 Forest Avenue. Iwill not be able to attend the meeting on Monday, August 11, but I would like to
ensure that my comments are taken into consideration as part of the public record.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Doron Noyman
Doron and Donna Noyman
707 Bryant St #305
Palo Alto, CA 94301
From:Clerk, City
To:Council, City
Subject:FW: Topic: 332 Forest Avenue
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 8:34:15 AM
Good morning City Council,
Please see the below public comment.
Thank you,
City Clerk’s Office
-----Original Message-----
From: Ardan Michael Blum <ardan.michael.blum@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 6:27 PM
To: Switzer, Steven <Steven.Switzer@paloalto.gov>
Subject: Topic: 332 Forest Avenue
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening
attachments and clicking on links.
Dear Honorable City Council Members, Members of the Planning Department, and To Whom It May
Concern,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Palo Alto to advocate for a more thorough and
comprehensive review process for building and development proposals. My comments focus on the
proposed eight-story housing project at 332 Forest Avenue, part of the South of Forest Area
(SOFA) Coordinated Area Plan (CAP) Phase 2.
While I commend the city's commitment to addressing our housing shortage, I urge greater scrutiny
of project details to ensure they align with the community's long-term well-being.
All too often, ambitious project visions eclipse essential details that can lead to unintended, lasting
impacts. In the case of 332 Forest Avenue—located near the library and City Hall—this development
would adjoin the existing tall Casa building but disrupt a neighborhood that has maintained a
charming blend of smaller structures, with only occasional taller ones, for many decades.
Introducing another large-scale "monster building" would irrevocably alter the area's character and,
for residents at nearby addresses like
345 Forest, permanently obstruct southward views.
Moreover, the demolition and construction phases of such projects impose significant burdens on
surrounding residents, a factor that warrants more attention in approvals.
These activities generate excessive noise, dust, and traffic disruptions, which can be intolerable for
those in adjacent rental units—often leading to involuntary displacement among financially
vulnerable households.
To mitigate health risks, I strongly recommend mandating a comprehensive pre-demolition
inspection for hazardous materials, including asbestos and lead, in the building's basement and
foundation. Though I have no specific knowledge of contaminants at this site, proactive testing is
crucial given its proximity to hundreds of residents.
Looking ahead, Palo Alto must prioritize sustainable community development beyond mere housing
expansion. This includes fostering public dialogue on rent control to stabilize housing for many
residents. I suggest incorporating a clause in this project—and all future ones—stipulating that,
should rent control legislation be enacted, properties built beforehand would retroactively comply
with its provisions.
Additionally, I request greater transparency from the applicant regarding project specifics. For
example, the plans reference studios and an on-site gym; the Planning Department should require
explicit clarification on whether this amenity will result in higher rents for those units.
I do not oppose progress, but I believe it must be equitable, thoughtful, and inclusive. I respectfully
ask the City Council and Planning Department to adopt a more rigorous evaluation framework that
balances broad goals with granular details affecting residents' daily lives.
Thank you for your attention to this vital issue.
Sincerely,
Ardan Michael Blum
From:Jee-Young Park
To:Council, City
Cc:Nam-Mok “Steve” Zo
Subject:4256 El Camino Real– Proposed Housing Project
Date:Thursday, August 7, 2025 1:06:41 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
My name is Jee-Young Park, and I live at 4250 El Camino Real, directly next to the proposedsite at 4256 El Camino Real.
When I moved into my unit last July, I was immediately struck by how much I loved theneighborhood—especially the natural light streaming into my home, the greenery surrounding
the area, and the open, airy feel that made this place so livable. It brought me a deep sense ofpeace and well-being.
That’s why I was shocked to learn that a six-story building is planned right next door—something I was completely unaware of when I moved in. A structure of that size and scale
will dominate the space, block sunlight, and fundamentally alter the atmosphere of Palo Altothat so many of us treasure.
I am genuinely worried about the impact this will have on our daily lives. This is not justabout aesthetics—it’s about losing natural light, the sense of openness, and the balance
between built and natural environments that makes this neighborhood special.
I respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider the scale of this development. A building
limited to three stories would still provide housing, but in a way that respects the existingcharacter of the neighborhood and preserves a livable environment for current residents.
Please also ensure that concerns about traffic, emergency access, and environmental impactare carefully studied and addressed. Most importantly, I ask that the voices of those who live
right next to this project be included meaningfully in the process moving forward.
Thank you for your attention and for your service to our community.
Sincerely,
Jee-Young Park
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
4250 El Camino Real A207Palo Alto
From:James Wang
To:Council, City
Subject:Re: Proposed Six‑Story Building at 4256 El Camino Real (120 Units, ~91 ft tall)
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 11:26:08 PM
Attachments:Re- Proposed Six Story Building at 4256 El Camino Real (120 Units, ~91 ft tall).docx
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
This message needs your attention
The subject has non-English characters.
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report
Dear Council Members:
As a resident of the adjacent Palo Alto Redwoods condominium complex, I write to express
strong concern regarding the proposed six‑story residential development at 4256 El CaminoReal.
1. Privacy, Light & View ImpactsThe proposed project, rising approximately 79.5 feet (extending to 91 feet including
mechanical equipment), would loom over our complex and blocks sky views from multipleunits. Local neighbors poignantly capture this impact:
“I ask you to think of the idea of a 90 foot tall wall of windows and balconiesblocking all light and views… invasion of privacy…” Wikipedia+12Palo Alto
Online+12San FranciscoYIMBY+12Ceqanet+2CEQAnet+2CEQAnet+2CEQAnet+2
2. Traffic & Parking StressAdding up to 120 units next door will significantly increase vehicular and pedestrian traffic on
already-congested El Camino Real. Despite assurances from the developer of a 1:1 parkingratio with nearby arrangements, spillover and cut-through traffic remain serious concerns for
resident safety and street parking availability Palo Alto Online.
3. Neighborhood Character & Property Value
This oversized development feels inconsistent with the scale of the established four-storyRedwoods community. Historical objections to five-story proposals in this area reflect
community resistance: “We don’t want to live in Manhattan” San Francisco YIMBY.
4. Diminished Quality of Life
Beyond light and view loss, neighbors fear a decline in open space, tree cover, and overalllivability. The increase in units—from the original 100 to 120—is justified purely on financial
grounds, rather than community benefit Palo Alto Online.
Powered by Mimecast
For City Council Consideration:
Maintain lower height and unit count to better align with neighborhood context andpreserve privacy, light, and tree canopy.
Ensure truly adequate parking and traffic mitigation, not plan parking on off-siteparcels.
Strengthen design requirements, including setbacks, landscaping, and architecturaltransitions to protect adjacent residences.
I urge the City Council to carefully consider these adverse impacts and work toward a scaleand design that better respects the neighborhood and quality of life for existing residents.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
James Wang
4250 El Camino Real, Unit B114
Palo Alto, CA 94306
James Wang Aug 6, 2025 4250 El Camino Real, Unit B114, Palo Alto, CA 94306
City Council Members City of Palo Alto 250 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: Proposed Six-Story Building at 4256 El Camino Real (120 Units, ~91 ft tall)
Dear Council Members:
As a resident of the adjacent Palo Alto Redwoods condominium complex 4250 , I write to express strong concern regarding the proposed six-story residential development at 4256 El Camino Real.
1. Privacy, Light & View Impacts The proposed project, rising approximately 79.5 feet (extending to 91 feet including mechanical equipment), would loom over our complex and blocks sky views from multiple units. Local neighbors poignantly capture this impact:
“I ask you to think of the idea of a 90 foot tall wall of windows and balconies blocking all light and views… invasion of privacy…” Wikipedia+12Palo Alto Online+12San Francisco YIMBY+12Ceqanet+2CEQAnet+2CEQAnet+2CEQAnet+2
2. Traffic & Parking Stress Adding up to 120 units next door will significantly increase vehicular and pedestrian traffic on already-congested El Camino Real. Despite assurances from the developer of a 1:1 parking ratio with nearby arrangements, spillover and cut-through traffic remain serious concerns for resident safety and street parking availability Palo Alto Online.
3. Neighborhood Character & Property Value This oversized development feels inconsistent with the scale of the established four-story Redwoods community. Historical objections to five-story proposals in this area reflect community resistance: “We don’t want to live in Manhattan” San Francisco YIMBY.
4. Diminished Quality of Life Beyond light and view loss, neighbors fear a decline in open space, tree cover, and overall livability. The increase in units—from the original 100 to 120—is justified purely on financial grounds, rather than community benefit Palo Alto Online.
For City Council Consideration:
• Maintain lower height and unit count to better align with neighborhood context and preserve privacy, light, and tree canopy.
• Ensure truly adequate parking and traffic mitigation, not plan parking on off-site parcels.
• Strengthen design requirements, including setbacks, landscaping, and architectural transitions to protect adjacent residences.
I urge the City Council to carefully consider these adverse impacts and work toward a scale and design that better respects the neighborhood and quality of life for existing residents.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
James Wang (James.wang10@gmail.com)
From:Aram James
To:h.etzko@gmail.com; Donna Wallach; Salem Ajluni; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; GennadySheyner; Diana Diamond; EPA Today; DuJuan Green; Tom DuBois; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew;citycouncil@mountainview.gov; GRP-City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov; Patrice Ventresca;Patricia.Guerrero@jud.ca.gov; board@pausd.org; BoardOperations; Palo Alto Free Press; Lotus Fong; LoriMeyers; Sheree Roth; Bill Newell; Zelkha, Mila; Zahra Billoo; Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky
Cc:Council, City; Office of the Provost; Justin Zalkin; Jim Hersh; Arthur Millman; Jeanne Fleming; Hannah Lu;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic
Delegate, Assembly District 23; Roberta Ahlquist; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Sean Allen; Pat M; Gerry Gras;
Dana St. George; Yolanda Conaway; Yusra Hussain; Doug Minkler; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Raymond
Goins; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Kaloma Smith; Human Relations
Commission
Subject:Re: immoral or Amoral United front?
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 10:58:34 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
My dear brave friend Henry,
Julie came closest to breaking the silence, but to my knowledge, she has NEVER demanded ofher colleagues that a ceasefire resolution be placed on the council agenda for a robust public
discussion and a subsequent vote. Similarly, unless I missed it, Julie has NEVER called out orspoken from the dais: "End the Genocide Now!"
As MLK said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”
Sleep well my friend,
Aram
P.S. Julie, if my recollection is wrong, I invite you to correct the record.
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz wrote:dear Aram
Upon reflection, agree with your assessment. Despite minor differences in progressivenesson other issues; there is an implacable wall on Gaza cease Fire when implored insuccession, there was not a flicker of sympathy from the impassive diased.
Sadly,Henry
Ps Marjorie Taylor Green is now cited as moral political role modelSent from my iPhone
From:Hweiling Shu
To:Council, City
Cc:Hweiling Shu
Subject:4256El Camino Real - Proposed Housing Project - PA City Council Agenda Item for August 11 Meeting
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 10:41:37 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear City Council,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed housing project at 4256 El
Camino Real. As a resident of the Palo Alto Redwoods, I believe this matter couldsignificantly affect our community in terms of the quality of life, environment, etc.
The proposed development will increase traffic congestion, the proposed height will block
open sky views and overlook our homes and pool and is not harmonious with theneighborhood.
I urge the City Council to:
- Conduct a though traffic and environmental impact study.
- Ensure that the project design respects the privacy and character of existing neighborhoods.
- Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to accommodate new residents and minimize
spillover.
- Maintain open communication with residents and local organizations during all phases ofplanning and construction.
I believe addressing these concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and future
residents. I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the City Council to takethese points into careful consideration.
Thank you for your service and commitment to our community.
Sincerely,
Hweiling ShuPalo Alto Redwoods,
4250 El Camino Real, Palo Altohweilingshu@gmail.com
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From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Aram James; Council, City; Office of the Provost; Justin Zalkin; Jim Hersh; Arthur Millman; Jeanne Fleming;Hannah Lu
Subject:immoral or Amoral United front?
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 10:20:51 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
dear Aram
Upon reflection, agree with your assessment. Despite minor differences in progressiveness on other issues; there is
an implacable wall on Gaza cease Fire when implored in succession, there was not a flicker of sympathy from the
impassive diased.
Sadly,
Henry
Ps Marjorie Taylor Green is now cited as moral political role model
Sent from my iPhone
From:Aram JamesTo:Salem Ajluni
Cc:h.etzko@gmail.com; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Dave Price; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida;Rebecca Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council, City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach; Today EPA;jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie;Burt, Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner;Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil; michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Don Austin; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; MiguelRodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Officeof Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George; Human Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin;city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin; Angel, David; Barberini, Christopher; Enberg, Nicholas; Baker, Rob; Robert.Jonson@shf.sccgov.org; Roberta Ahlquist;Figueroa, Eric; Michelle Bigelow; Michael Pati
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failureDate:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 6:41:23 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Salem,
Points well taken. Palo Alto’s current police chief was appointed by a non-elected city manager by the name of Ed Shikada. The police chief is ahypocritical fellow named Andrew Binder who claims to be all in for community policing but lives an hour a way from Palo Alto in Morgan Hill. Thisfact was never disclosed to the Palo Alto community at the time Binder was appointed by City Manager Shikada to be our next police chief. At the timethe appointment process was going on in the summer of 2022 I was was interviewed by former Palo Alto City Council member Greg Tanaka on the nondemocractic police chief hiring process.
aram james on elected police chief police chief - Google Searchhttps://www.google.com/gasearch?
q=aram%20james%20on%20elected%20police%20chief%20police%20chief&source=sh/x/gs/m2/5#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:e89ef260,vid:mdW0CcwU660,
BTW: I'm advised that currently the police chief in each city in Santa Clara County, except those cities that rely on the Sherrif’s department for policing,except one, is a white male. In fact the current interim police chief of the town of Giroy is Palo Alto’s police chief’s brother Ken Binder. Ken Binderretired fromSanta Clara County Sheriff’s Department after several decades with the department in June of 2025. So much for diversity in the leadership of law enforcement in Santa Clara County.
As an aside, all counties in California have an elected District Attorneys. In contrast, only one county, San Francisco, has an elected public defender.Years ago I was part of a movement to elect the public defender in Santa Clara County the pushback by entrenched political interests was enormous andour effort failed.
Why should we have an elected public defender you ask?
An AI search provided a better answer, more complete answer, than I can give:
AI Overview +4
Having an elected public defender is critical because it enhances the political power of the office, making it easier to advocate for indigent
defense issues and bring them into the public discourse. Elected officials, including public defenders, have a greater ability to influence
policy and funding decisions related to indigent defense. This can lead to improved resources and representation for those who cannot
afford legal counsel.
Here's why this matters:
Increased Political Influence:
Elected public defenders can leverage their position to lobby for better funding, resources, and policy changes within the criminal justice
system.
Public Awareness:
The election process itself can raise public awareness about the challenges faced by indigent defendants and the importance of a robust
public defense system.
Accountability:
Elected officials are directly accountable to the voters, which can incentivize them to address the needs of their constituents, including
those who rely on public defenders.
Checks and Balances:
Having an elected public defender can create a healthy balance of power between the prosecution and the defense, ensuring a more
equitable justice system.
Constitutional Rights:
Public defense systems are essential for upholding the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of the right to counsel for those accused of crimes.
My shorter answer would be that it is hard to imagine the Founding Fathers accepting the idea that the District Attorney of each county, who isresponsible for filing charges against community members, would be elected and directly accountable to the people. Meanwhile, the Chief PublicDefender of each county, tasked with ensuring a vigorous and constitutionally appropriate defense for every client, would be appointed by a local boardof supervisors, who could hire or fire the public defender at their discretion.
Aram
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com> wrote:
An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from constituents practiced by nearly all local
government (not to mention state and federal government) is to make the key "permanent bureaucracy" positions
—especially the City Manager—elected positions.
While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is the case in the City of Santa Clara--the only
municipality in California (and perhaps the U.S.) where this is the case.
Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City Manager--at least not yet. Palo Alto has no
elected Police Chief and no elected City Clerk, these being appointed by the Council like the City Manager.
Salem
From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM
To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>
Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis <trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou
<alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good <snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost <provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price <price@padailypost.com>;
Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca
Eisenberg <rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox <ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council
<city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras <gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner <Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com <jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>;
cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner <gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady
Sheyner <GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada <Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl
<reckdahl@yahoo.com>; George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org <George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims <Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick
Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker <Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>; board@valleywater.org
<board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations <BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net <jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov <assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>; josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner
<mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>; Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>; michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org <michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin
<jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>; Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley
<lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin <daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach <cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila
Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez <miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org <rabrica@cityofepa.org>; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org
<craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association <info@paloaltorenters.org>;
Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara <Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan
<mayor@sanjoseca.gov>; Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George <danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations
Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith <pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin <griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov
<city.council@menlopark.gov>; citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure Hi Henry, You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more robust participatory democracy, as you suggested with theTown Hall Meeting process, would be an excellent first step. Our city council model in Palo Alto undermines any change at truedemocracy. The current council seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest of us with just crumbs. Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in January 2026? Aram
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Aram
Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared during a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make theMayor more responsive to the public and at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen control consultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, provides narrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport,Cubberly). Operating at the behest of permanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific project design areaccomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit her perspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could bebalanced by a yearly town meeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having Participated in and observedthis non representative, all citizen, Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summer residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring andpotentially transferable.
Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire nowAnd move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and intention. Of course there may be other ideas toaccomplish the objective of a leaner, more productive, government.
Cheers Henry Etzkowitz “Back to the Agora”2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San Jose Superior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished ajudgement in default if no show a second time. Www.triple helix.net
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” for mayor in 2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as acommunity to push her towards declaring in favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoing genocide happening in realtime before the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has called the slaughter of Palestinianchildren a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to remain silent on this issue without protests and push back.
Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling Gaza conflict a genocidehttps://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>> The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longe has lost face validity. The Knesset andcourts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.>> But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor in comparison to virtually uniform activeand passive support for a leader who is carrying out a so called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steadyescalation to a “Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air denial by forced> gas.>> Cease fire Now:flood in food!>> Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower andInstitute in his honour, the University should speak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war>> In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs to call with one voice for Gaza cease fire. >> Sincerely>> Henry Etzkowitz> 1766 sand Hill Road> Palo Alto CA 94304> 646 701 2695> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice> 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council>> www.triplehelix.net
From:Олег
To:Council, City
Subject:Public Comment on 4250 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 6:14:14 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Council Members,
I am a resident of Palo Alto Redwoods, located at 4250 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA94306, directly adjacent to the site of the proposed development at 4256 El Camino Real,Palo Alto, CA 94306. I am writing to express my concerns regarding this project and torespectfully request that the perspectives of neighboring residents be carefully considered.
Architectural and Neighborhood Character
Palo Alto Redwoods is an award-winning residential complex recognized for its exceptionaldesign, community integration, and contribution to the architectural landscape of Palo Alto.Specifically:
Gold Nugget Award (1984): Recognized for excellence in design, planning, anddevelopment in the Western United States, particularly for its innovative approach tomultifamily housing in harmony with the natural environment.
Builders Choice Merit Award (1985): Honored for creative use of space, landscaping,and livability in medium-density residential design.
Maybeck Award (2010–2011): Given by the American Institute of Architects toprojects demonstrating significant contributions to California architectural heritage.
These awards highlight the architectural and cultural significance of the complex. I live hereand experience daily how thoughtfully it was integrated into the surrounding environment. It isa space full of light, trees, privacy, and respect for architectural heritage.
El Camino Real is a historic corridor that gives the area its unique spirit and reflects acontinuity of thoughtful design. New developments should contribute to this identity, notcompete with or overpower it.
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Unfortunately, the proposed project’s facade appears generic and lacks distinction. Itresembles high-density mass housing with no character. Its scale and appearance raise concernthat it may visually overwhelm the surroundings and disrupt the architectural rhythm thatdefines our neighborhood.
Concerns and Impacts on the Community
1. Privacy and Shadowing
The proposed 6-story building with a rooftop terrace would block views and castshadows on apartments, the pool, and the clubhouse of Palo Alto Redwoods,
compromising both sunlight and privacy.
2. Excessive Density and Lot Coverage
The project would cover 87% of the site, with no significant open green space orcommunity-friendly landscaping. Plans show no trees, flowerbeds, or plantings. This
level of density leaves almost no room for landscape design and creates a sense ofcrowding, which conflicts with principles of sustainable development.
3. No Renewable Energy IntegrationThere is no mention of solar panels or other alternative energy sources, despite
California’s climate and sustainability goals.
4. Limited Electrical Infrastructure Preparedness
The plans provide no indication of power reserve capacity or electrical upgrades. Withelectric vehicle adoption increasing, the lack of preparation for EV charging — both for
the project site and surrounding buildings — raises concerns about potential stress onthe existing power grid. As more residents convert to electric vehicles, available
electrical capacity must remain sufficient for future demands.
5. Wildlife Disruption
Palo Alto Redwoods is home to a stable population of owls and other wildlife. Inaddition, the nearby Adobe Creek corridor supports various species of birds and small
animals, creating a fragile ecosystem that could be threatened by increased noise,lighting, and activity. The proposal includes no mention of a biological survey or
environmental protections. Given the site's proximity to green habitat, this omissionposes a threat to local species and ecological balance.
6. Parking and TrafficWith only 0.83 parking spaces per unit and no guest parking indicated, the project could
push overflow parking into adjacent streets and compromise emergency access. Notransportation mitigation plan has been presented.
7. Noise, Dust, and Construction PollutionThe construction site is less than 50 feet from nearby residences, yet no health
protections are described. Families and seniors living nearby will be directly impactedby dust, noise, and limited access during the construction phase.
8. Property Value and Tax Base ImpactReduced privacy, degraded views, noise, and congestion may lead to lower home values
at Palo Alto Redwoods. This, in turn, could reduce the property tax base for Santa ClaraCounty, affecting funding for schools, infrastructure, and emergency services.
I respectfully request the Council to:
Require an independent assessment of the project’s environmental and infrastructureimpacts;
Scale down the building’s height and density;
Increase setbacks from neighboring properties;
Require meaningful landscaping and renewable energy integration;
Ensure full compliance with El Camino Real Design Guidelines.
Best regards,
Oleg Kharitonov
Email: kharitonovkzn@gmail.com
P.S. I kindly request confirmation that this comment has been received and that it will beincluded in the official record for the 4256 El Camino Real project. Thank you for yourattention.
From:rdmto@aol.com
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Real Council pre-screening meeting
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 5:00:20 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Topic: crowded 4256 El Camino Real : project
Why not build a hotel???
Dear city councilman,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the 4256 Elcamino
Real poorly designed housing project.
As a resident of the neighborhood, I believe this matter could
significantly affect the immediate community in terms of
congextive traffic, high desnity living conditon with studio and one
bedroom units, inadequate parking spaces in proposal.
Concern:
Tracffic congestion on already crowded Major road: El Camino
Real .
There are only 100 parking spaces for 100 units.
Units breakdown:
44 studios
44 one bedroom units
8 two bedroom units
4 three bedroom units
-----------------------------------
100 total units.
Puzzle Lift Stacker parking style:
Each Puzzle module can hold 6-50 cars.
Drivers park their car in entry platform, and lifted to available spot.
Only one car can go in and out of the system - commute hours will
create problems for residents.
Need to empty grocery, backpacks or furniture before car enters
platform (takes time).
During power outage, no car can go in or out.
Imagine during busy time to go to work or school, you have to
load everything into your care before driving away from the
platform.
Please remember On El Camino Real where we have designated
bike lanes,there is no parking on the street where you can load or
unload your stuff from your car before you enter or exit the car
platform.
Please STOP this project!!
No Plaza, no playground, no gym, or clubhouse or swimming pool
either, for the well- being of the residents who live in a small cram
space:studios or one bedrooms.........
We need to have quality housing - not boxed homes like in the
slump areas or housing projects in San Francisco. We need livable
housing in Palo Alto!! It’s our pride.
Please don't give up quality of living in Palo Alto for Quantity
housing projects in government subsidized areas.
Thank you very much for your time. I believe addressing these 2
main concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and
futrue residents.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the city
council to take these concerns into careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Marie Deleon
Resident behind Cabana hotel
Jeesm5@aol.com
From:rdmto@aol.com
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Real Council pre-screening meeting
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 4:52:21 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.
4256 El Camino Real :housing project
Dear city council members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the 4256 Elcamino Real poorly
designed housing project.
As a resident of the neighborhood, I believe this matter could significantly
affect the immediate community in terms of congextive traffic, high desnity
living conditon with studio and one bedroom units, inadequate parking
spaces in proposal.
Concern:
Tracffic congestion on already crowded Major road: El Camino Real .
There are only 100 parking spaces for 100 units.
Units breakdown:
44 studios
44 one bedroom units
8 two bedroom units
4 three bedroom units
-----------------------------------
100 total units.
Puzzle Lift Stacker parking style:
Each Puzzle module can hold 6-50 cars.
Drivers park their car in entry platform, and lifted to available spot.
Only one car can go in and out of the system - commute hours will create
problems for residents.
Need to empty grocery, backpacks or furniture before car enters platform
(takes time).
During power outage, no car can go in or out.
Imagine during busy time to go to work or school, you have to load everything
into your care before driving away from the platform.
Please remember On El Camino Real where we have designated bike
lanes,there is no parking on the street where you can load or unload your
stuff from your car before you enter or exit the car platform.
Please STOP this poorly designed project.
__________________________________________________________________________________
No Plaza, rest area or clubhouse or swimming pool either, for the well- being
of the residents who live in a small cram space:studios or one
bedrooms.........
We need to have quality housing - not boxed homes like in the slump areas or
housing projects in SAn Francisco. We need livable housing.
Please don't give up quality of living in Palo Alto for Quantity housing projects
in government subsidized areas.
Thank you very much for your time. I believe addressing these 2 main
concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and futrue residents.
I appreciate your attention to this matter and encourage the city council to
take these concerns into careful consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary Young
Charleston Meadow resident
rdmto@aol.com
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Aram James; Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Brian Good; Office of theProvost; Palo Post; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; EllenFox; Council, City
Cc:Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Dave Price; Emily
Mibach; Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug
Minkler; Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt,
Patrick; Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Salem Ajluni; Linda Jolley;
Don Austin; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez; Damon Silver
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 4:30:09 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.Hi Aram
Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she shared duringa recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the public and atthe same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen controlconsultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, providesnarrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest ofpermanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific projectdesign are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit herperspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly town meetingdecision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having Participatedin and observed this non representative, all citizen, Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summerresidents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable.
Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire nowAnd move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope andintention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, moreproductive, government.
Cheers Henry Etzkowitz “Back to the Agora”2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San Jose Superiorcourt (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a second time. Www.triple helix.net
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki” formayor in 2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push her
towards declaring in favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on the ongoinggenocide happening in real time before the eyes of the world. Even the far-white-
wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has called the slaughter of Palestinianchildren a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to remain silent on this
issue without protests and push back.
Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling
Gaza conflict a genocide
https://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocraticstates longe has lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed toremove Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight frominternational justice.> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, isrelatively minor in comparison to virtually uniform active and passive supportfor a leader who is carrying out a so called “Hannibal policy” against its owncitizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a “Final Solution” in Gazathrough food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air denial byforced> gas.> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective?Given Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, theUniversity should speak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louisdid in leading a university-industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valleyspinoffs to call with one voice for Gaza cease fire. > > Sincerely> > Henry Etzkowitz
> 1766 sand Hill Road> Palo Alto CA 94304
> 646 701 2695> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
> 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council>
> www.triplehelix.net
From:Salem Ajluni
To:Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com
Cc:Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Dave
Price; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council,
City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach;
Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler;
Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick;
Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Linda Jolley; Don Austin;
Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond Goins;
rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire,
Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George; Human
Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin;
city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 4:03:58 PM
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i
An even better solution to the insularity and intentional distancing from
constituents practiced by nearly all local government (not to mention
state and federal government) is to make the key "permanent
bureaucracy" positions—especially the City Manager—elected
positions.
While we're at it, let's make the Chief of Police an elected position as is
the case in the City of Santa Clara--the only municipality in California
(and perhaps the U.S.) where this is the case.
Santa Clara also has an elected City Clerk, though not an elected City
Manager--at least not yet. Palo Alto has no elected Police Chief and no
elected City Clerk, these being appointed by the Council like the City
Manager.
Salem
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From: Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:49 PM
To: Henry Etzkowitz <H.Etzko@gmail.com>
Cc: Firoozeh Dastmalchi <firoozehdh@gmail.com>; Trudy Willis <trudysw@sbcglobal.net>; Charles
Spanhook <cspanhook@gmail.com>; Chunyan Zhou <alice1082@hotmail.com>; Brian Good
<snug.bug@hotmail.com>; Office of the Provost <provost@stanford.edu>; Dave Price
<price@padailypost.com>; Roseline Rasolovoahangy <emma-roseline@stanfordalumni.org>; Avroh
Shah <avrohshah@gmail.com>; Mariza Almeida <mariza.almeida@unirio.br>; Rebecca Eisenberg
<rebecca@rebecca4water.com>; Hannah Lu <hannahlu00@gmail.com>; Ellen Fox
<ellenfox787@gmail.com>; City Council <city.council@cityofpaloalto.org>; Gerry Gras
<gerrygras@earthlink.net>; Palo Alto Free Press <paloaltofreepress@gmail.com>; Roberta Ahlquist
<roberta.ahlquist@sjsu.edu>; Lotus Fong <lyfong@pacbell.net>; Liz Gardner
<Gardnerjaqua@gmail.com>; Liz Kniss <lizkniss@earthlink.net>; Emily Mibach
<emibach@padailypost.com>; Today EPA <epatoday@epatoday.org>;
jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com <jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com>;
cromero@cityofepa.org <cromero@cityofepa.org>; Gennady Sheyner
<gsheyner@embarcaderomedia.org>; Doug Minkler <dminkler@dminkler.com>; Gennady Sheyner
<GSheyner@paweekly.com>; Ed Lauing <Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.org>; Ed Shikada
<Ed.Shikada@cityofpaloalto.org>; Keith Reckdahl <reckdahl@yahoo.com>;
George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org <George.Lu@cityofpaloalto.org>; Julie Lythcott-Haims
<Julie.LythcottHaims@cityofpaloalto.org>; Patrick Burt <pat.burt@cityofpaloalto.org>; Vicki Veenker
<Vicki.Veenker@cityofpaloalto.org>; board@pausd.org <board@pausd.org>;
board@valleywater.org <board@valleywater.org>; BoardOperations
<BoardOperations@cob.sccgov.org>; jessica@speiser.net <jessica@speiser.net>;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov <assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov>;
josh@joshsalcman.com <josh@joshsalcman.com>; Mark Turner <mark.turner@morganhill.ca.gov>;
Andrew Binder <Andrew.Binder@cityofpaloalto.org>; CityCouncil <CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov>;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com <michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com>;
michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org <michael.foley@cityofpaloalto.org>; james pitkin
<jamespitkin777@yahoo.com>; James Reifschneider <james.reifschneider@cityofpaloalto.org>;
Salem Ajluni <ajluni@hotmail.com>; Linda Jolley <lindajolley9@yahoo.com>; Don Austin
<daustin@pausd.org>; Donna Wallach <donnaisanactivist@gmail.com>; Donna Wallach
<cats4jazz@gmail.com>; Mila Zelkha <mila.zelkha@gmail.com>; Miguel Rodriguez
<miguel.rodriguez@pdo.sccgov.org>; Damon Silver <damon.silver@pdo.sccgov.org>; Sean Allen
<sallen6444@yahoo.com>; Raymond Goins <goinsrayl@gmail.com>; rabrica@cityofepa.org
<rabrica@cityofepa.org>; craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org <craig.lee@cityofpaloalto.org>; WILPF
Peninsula Palo Alto <wilpf.peninsula.paloalto@gmail.com>; Palo Alto Renters' Association
<info@paloaltorenters.org>; Geoffrey Blackshire <geo.blackshire@paloalto.gov>; Jasso, Tamara
<Tamara.Jasso@cityofpaloalto.org>; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan <mayor@sanjoseca.gov>;
Daniel Barton <dbarton@nbo.law>; Pat M <p.marshall81@ymail.com>; Dana St. George
<danasg@earthlink.net>; Human Relations Commission <hrc@cityofpaloalto.org>; Kaloma Smith
<pastor@universityamez.com>; GRP-City Council <council@redwoodcity.org>; DuJuan Green
<dujuang@sbcglobal.net>; Anne Cribbs <acribbs@basoc.org>; Anna Griffin
<griffinam@sbcglobal.net>; city.council@menlopark.gov <city.council@menlopark.gov>;
citycouncil@mountainview.gov <citycouncil@mountainview.gov>; Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Hi Henry,
You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more
robust participatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall
Meeting process, would be an excellent first step. Our city council model in
Palo Alto undermines any change at true democracy. The current council
seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest of us with just
crumbs.
Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in
January 2026?
Aram
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Aram
Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she sharedduring a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the publicand at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen controlconsultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, providesnarrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest ofpermanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific projectdesign are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit herperspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly townmeeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. HavingParticipated in and observed this non representative, all citizen, Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summerresidents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable.
Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire nowAnd move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope andintention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, moreproductive, government.
Cheers Henry Etzkowitz “Back to the Agora”
2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San JoseSuperior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time. Www.triple helix.net
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki”for mayor in 2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push
her towards declaring in favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on theongoing genocide happening in real time before the eyes of the world. Even the
far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has called the slaughter ofPalestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to remain
silent on this issue without protests and push back.
Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling
Gaza conflict a genocide
https://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
>> The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocraticstates longe has lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed toremove Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight frominternational justice.>> But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, isrelatively minor in comparison to virtually uniform active and passivesupport for a leader who is carrying out a so called “Hannibal policy” againstits own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a “Final Solution” inGaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air denialby forced> gas.>> Cease fire Now:flood in food!>> Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this
objective? Given Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in hishonour, the University should speak out institutionally as WashingtonUniversity, St Louis did in leading a university-industry coalition to opposethe Vietnam war>> In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its SiliconValley spinoffs to call with one voice for Gaza cease fire. >> Sincerely>> Henry Etzkowitz> 1766 sand Hill Road> Palo Alto CA 94304> 646 701 2695> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice> 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council>> www.triplehelix.net
From:Kathleen Turner
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Real Building Project - August 11 City Council Meeting
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 3:38:29 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear City Council,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed building project at 4256 El Camino Real. I believe thismatter could significantly affect our community in terms of traffic and safety, parking shortages, privacy and height,environmental impact and property values.
The proposed development will increase traffic congestion on El Camino Real, making it unsafe for pedestrians andcyclists. And how will parking needs be accommodated, particularly now that the new bicycle lanes preclude anyparking on El Camino Real?
I'm also concerned about how the proposed height will impact the privacy of many of our units and block the lightneeded for our vegetation.
I urge the City Council to: - Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study. - Ensure that the project design reflects the privacy and character of existing neighborhoods. - Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to accommodate new residents and minimize spillover. - Maintain open communication with residents and local organizations during all phases of planning andconstruction.
I believe addressing these concerns will lead to better outcomes for both current and future residents. I appreciateyour attention to this matter and encourage you to take these points into careful consideration.
Sincerely,Kathy Turner
ResidentPalo Alto Redwoods4250 El Camino Real, D229Palo Alto, CA 94306
kathyturner231@gmail.com650-283-9012
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From:Aram James
To:h.etzko@gmail.com
Cc:Firoozeh Dastmalchi; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Chunyan Zhou; Brian Good; Office of the Provost; Dave
Price; Roseline Rasolovoahangy; Avroh Shah; Mariza Almeida; Rebecca Eisenberg; Hannah Lu; Ellen Fox; Council,
City; Gerry Gras; Palo Alto Free Press; Roberta Ahlquist; Lotus Fong; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Emily Mibach;
Today EPA; jason.green@bayareanewsgroup.com; cromero@cityofepa.org; Gennady Sheyner; Doug Minkler;
Gennady Sheyner; Lauing, Ed; Shikada, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Lu, George; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Burt, Patrick;
Veenker, Vicki; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; BoardOperations; jessica@speiser.net;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; josh@joshsalcman.com; Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil;
michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com; Foley, Michael; james pitkin; Reifschneider, James; Salem Ajluni; Linda Jolley;
Don Austin; Donna Wallach; Donna Wallach; Zelkha, Mila; Miguel Rodriguez; Damon Silver; Sean Allen; Raymond
Goins; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Lee, Craig; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Blackshire,
Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Daniel Barton; Pat M; Dana St. George; Human
Relations Commission; Kaloma Smith; GRP-City Council; DuJuan Green; Cribbs, Anne; Anna Griffin;
city.council@menlopark.gov; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Justin Zalkin
Subject:Re: Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:50:11 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Henry,
You've made some brilliant observations once again. Implementing a more
robust participatory democracy, as you suggested with the Town Hall
Meeting process, would be an excellent first step. Our city council model in
Palo Alto undermines any change at true democracy. The current council
seems more focused on protecting the elite, leaving the rest of us with just
crumbs.
Now, how can we prevent "Queen Vicki" from ascending to the throne in
January 2026?
Aram
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Aram
Jeanne Fleming, United Neighbors entrepreneur, has a longer term idea, that she sharedduring a recent visit to Triple Helix Institute: make the Mayor more responsive to the publicand at the same time create a countervailing power to reign in the out of citizen controlconsultocracy, our de-facto Palo Alto governance modality.
The consultocracy, firms hired by the city Manager, with nominal Council input, providesnarrow, virtually indistinguishable options, (cf airport, Cubberly). Operating at the behest ofpermanent city management, long term direction and priorities as well as specific projectdesign are accomplished through a vitiated representative democratic guise (city council).
Jeanne suggests (presuming it to be in the public domain to reiterate and credit herperspicacity) a more powerful elected Mayor that could be balanced by a yearly townmeeting decision making assembly of voters, aka the New England town meeting. Having
Participated in and observed this non representative, all citizen, Direct democracy format in Nantucket (with its quasi parties, virtually exclusive of summer
residents, held in winter); it is nonetheless inspiring and potentially transferable.
Both ideas would surely give pressing public issues like Gaza cease fire nowAnd move Palo Alto airport to Moffett field, higher priority. At least that is the hope and
intention. Of course there may be other ideas to accomplish the objective of a leaner, moreproductive, government.
Cheers
Henry Etzkowitz “Back to the Agora”
2024 Palo Alto City Council Candidate Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice
Mark your calendar for One October when Elon Musk/Tesla have a date in San JoseSuperior court (civil) judge Monahan has admonished a judgement in default if no show a
second time. Www.triple helix.net
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 6, 2025, at 8:39 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Another excellent piece, Henry! The coronation of the gutless “Queen Vicki”for mayor in 2026 seems inevitable. What can we do as a community to push
her towards declaring in favor of a ceasefire and finally speaking out on theongoing genocide happening in real time before the eyes of the world. Even the
far-white-wing Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has called the slaughter ofPalestinian children a genocide. How can we allow our city leaders to remain
silent on this issue without protests and push back.
Avram “Just Say No To Queen Vicki for Mayor in 2026. “ Finkelstein
Source: ajc Marjorie Taylor Greene breaks from party by calling
Gaza conflict a genocide
https://share.google/k741qbCv5jWfOMXlY
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocraticstates longe has lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed toremove Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, hiding in plain sight frominternational justice.
> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, isrelatively minor in comparison to virtually uniform active and passivesupport for a leader who is carrying out a so called “Hannibal policy” againstits own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a “Final Solution” inGaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than air denialby forced> gas.> > Cease fire Now:flood in food!> > Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish thisobjective? Given Stanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in hishonour, the University should speak out institutionally as WashingtonUniversity, St Louis did in leading a university-industry coalition to opposethe Vietnam war> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its SiliconValley spinoffs to call with one voice for Gaza cease fire. > > Sincerely> > Henry Etzkowitz> 1766 sand Hill Road> Palo Alto CA 94304> 646 701 2695> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice> 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council> > www.triplehelix.net
From:Patty Irish
To:Council, City
Subject:Re: Your e-mail to City Council was received
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:24:08 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Not meant to go to Council.
Patty
850 Webster #628Palo Alto, CA 94301
650 324 7407650 245 3906 cell
Government needs to justify itself not through the rules it follows but through the outcomes it
delivers. Abundance
On Wed, Aug 6, 2025, 2:20 PM Council, City <city.council@paloalto.gov> wrote:
Thank you for your comments to the City Council. Your e‐mail will be forwarded to all
seven Council Members and a printout of your correspondence will also be included in thenext available Council packet.
If your comments are about an item that is already scheduled for a City Council agenda, you
can call (650) 329‐2571 to confirm that the item is still on the agenda for the next meeting.
If your letter mentions a specific complaint or a request for service, we'll either reply with anexplanation or else send it on to the appropriate department for clarification.
We appreciate hearing from you.
------------------
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Cybersecurity safety note: Official emails from the City of Palo Alto typically end with @cityofpaloalto.organd there are limited exceptions such as surveys or polls that may come from City consultants acting on theCity’s behalf. Though the City doesn’t often solicit donations, City partners, including local foundations suchas the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, Friends of the Palo Alto Library, and Friends of the Palo Alto JuniorMuseum & Zoo do send out fundraising communications. Please contact the appropriate City department orCity Council Member to double check its legitimacy and never share personal information or other securedetails via email.
Contact City Departments: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/Phone-Directory
Contact City Council: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/City-Hall/City-Council
From:Patty Irish
To:Council, City
Subject:Add me to email notices list
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 2:20:28 PM
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i
Please put me on your email notices list to receive information for following through on whatis being considered.
Patty Irish
850 Webster #628
Palo Alto, CA 94301650 324 7407
650 245 3906 cell
Government needs to justify itself not through the rules it follows but through the outcomes itdelivers. Abundance
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From:Luis Perez
To:Ed.Lauing@cityofpaloalto.gov; Council, City
Subject:Request for Support with Delays in Restaurant Construction Permits
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 1:52:15 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
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Dear Mayor Lauing,
My name is Luis David Pérez Campos, and I am one of the co-owners of a new restaurantproject La Corneta Taqueria in 324 University Ave Palo Alto. I’m writing to respectfully ask
for your help or guidance regarding ongoing delays in our construction permitting process.
We first began this project in July 2024, fully aware based on conversations with brokers thatopening a business in Palo Alto could be very challenging. Despite this, we chose this city
because we genuinely fell in love with it and believed it was the perfect community for ourrestaurant.
From the beginning, we’ve made every effort to follow all city regulations and meet the
requirements of the planning and building departments. We understand and appreciate thatcity officials want to ensure every establishment is safe and compliant that is something we
deeply respect and fully support. However, the permitting process has taken far longer than weever imagined, and the delays have put us in a very difficult financial situation.
We have been paying rent several months now on a space we are unable to open.
Our goal is to open the doors of our restaurant to the wonderful community of Palo Alto, and
to create a space with a design and atmosphere that lives up to the quality and spirit of thisgreat city.
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I am reaching out to you not to complain, but because I don’t know where else to turn. Any
help, advice, or support you could provide or any direction to someone who might assist uswould mean a great deal.
Thank you for your time and service to the city.
Warm regards,
Luis David Pérez Campos
Co-owner La Corneta Palo Alto
650-921-9854
From:Liza Baskind
To:Council, City
Subject:August 11th Pre-screening of project 4256 ECR
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 1:17:33 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256
El Camino Real, Palo Alto. As a neighbor, I believe this project will significantly
affect our community’s quality of life.
Concerns:
The development will increase traffic congestion on El Camino, creating
unsafe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
I am also concerned about fire safety and emergency vehicle access due to
inadequate setbacks for service vehicles.
I urge the City Council to:
Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study.
Ensure the project design respects the privacy and character of the existing
neighborhood. Its current design is too massive for the parcel.
Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking to prevent spillover onto
neighboring properties.
Maintain open communication with local residents and organizations during
planning and construction.
While I support new housing in Palo Alto, I believe addressing these concerns will
lead to better outcomes for both current and future residents.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
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Liza Baskind
From:Paul Machado
To:Council, City; Burt, Patrick; Lu, George; Lauing, Ed; Reckdahl, Keith; Veenker, Vicki; Stone, Greer;Julie@julieforpaloalto.com
Subject:Evergreen Park RPP
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 12:47:54 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking
on links.
Next Monday you will discuss changes to the Evergreen Park residential
parking program. This program was initiated by residents as
commercial intrusion into the neighborhood was severely affecting the
quality of life of residents.
Now there is a request from staff to change this program. I only ask
you to note that this program is a residential program to prevent the
neighborhood from merely being viewed as a commercial parking lot.
Also if commercial permits are allowed in the neighborhood, any plan
proposed should be designed so the commercial permits are evenly
distributed throughout the neighborhood and not designed so all the
commercial parking is closest to El Camino, like metal filings to a
magnet. Packing cars solid in an area makes the area useless to
residents and visitors.
Paul Machado
Evergreen Park
From:Aram James
To:Lythcott-Haims, Julie; Shikada, Ed; Lauing, Ed; Council, City; Human Relations Commission; Greg Tanaka; Lait,Jonathan; Stump, Molly; Perron, Zachary; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James; roberta ahlquist; Dave Price;Emily Mibach; Braden Cartwright; Gennady Sheyner; Diana Diamond; h.etzko@gmail.com; Gardener, Liz; LizKniss; EPA Today; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight; San José Spotlight; SandyPerry-HCA; Linda Jolley; BoardOperations; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan;District3@sanjoseca.gov; District4@sanjoseca.gov; District5@sanjoseca.gov; District9@sanjoseca.gov; Palo AltoFree Press; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto; Yolanda Conaway; Don Austin; Afanasiev, Alex; Barberini, Christopher;Enberg, Nicholas; Lee, Craig; Gerry Gras; Raymond Goins; Zelkha, Mila; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Holman,Karen (external); Tom DuBois; Burt, Patrick; Dana St. George; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara;board@pausd.org; Jay Boyarsky; Veenker, Vicki; editor@paweekly.com; Palo Alto Weekly
Subject:Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 11:24:09 AM
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Will the city of Palo Alto face similar problems with their Homekey project?
Is our city staff and city council sufficiently overseeing the Palo Alto project to ensurethat our project will not be the lastest in a series of building boondoggles ( like our so-
called Public Safety Building) ?
Source: San José Spotlight Palo Alto feuds with contractor over public
safety building - San José Spotlight
https://share.google/8NyzMtDc8tL2gkI9R
Homekey Palo Alto is a new modular interim housing shelter with the capacity to
serve over 200 individuals annually with on-site support services. The project is being
codeveloped by the City of Palo Alto and LifeMoves.
Located at 1237 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto near the Palo Alto Baylands,
Residents claim San Jose homeless housing site unsafe, unhealthy - San José Spotlighthttps://sanjosespotlight.com/residents-claim-san-jose-homeless-housing-site-unsafe-unhealthy/
From:Anne-Marie Jumeau
To:Council, City
Subject:Fwd: Palo Alto City Council Letter re 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 10:32:18 AM
Attachments:PA City Council Letter - 08-06-2025.pdf
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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Jumeau, Anne-Marie <Anne-Marie.Jumeau@alston.com>Date: Wed, Aug 6, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Subject: Palo Alto City Council Letter re 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306To: Anne-Marie Jumeau <anniejumeau@gmail.com>
Attached letter is for the Palo Alto City Council.
Thank you!
Anne-Marie Jumeau
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August 6, 2025
Email: city.council@paloalto.gov
Palo Alto City Council
250 Hamilton Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Re: 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Dear City Council,
I am writing regarding the proposed building project on the vacant lot at 4256 El Camino
Real. I understand that a large housing development has been proposed next to Palo Alto
Redwoods, located at 4250 El Camino Real, where I am a resident. I believe that the
proposed large project will have a negative effect on our quality of life, safety and property
values.
I respectfully request the City Council to:
• Conduct both traffic and environmental studies;
• Ensure that the project design respects the privacy and character of the existing
structures surrounding the lot; and
• Provide parking to accommodate all residents.
Please take into consideration the above-mentioned so a better outcome is reached for
both current and future residents. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.
Sincerely,
Anne-Marie Jumeau
4250 El Camino Real, D132
Palo Alto, CA 94306
E-mail: anniejumeau@gmail.com
From:Josh -
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Letter
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 10:32:06 AM
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i
Hello and thank you for reading.
I am writing to express deep concerns about the scale and impact of this particular project, andto respectfully request that the Council require further study and modifications before moving
forward. I support the broader goal of responsibly increasing housing availability in Palo Altoand would support thoughtful development of the 4256 site.
The current proposed project would force our complex, along with nearby homes and
businesses, to face various unmitigated impacts. They include:
Traffic and Safety: Increased density at this location will exacerbate congestion along ElCamino Real and side streets, especially during peak hours. Our community already
experiences challenges with emergency vehicle access, which this development would worsen.As an example, the Hilton Garden Inn at 4216 El Camino Real has led to traffic issues despite
impact studies, a clear indication that past traffic impact assessments have underestimated theresults of increasing density along El Camino.
Parking Overflow: The proposed on-site parking for the 4256 project is insufficient given
the number of units. This will inevitably force overflow onto neighboring properties,potentially including our very limited guest parking areas.
Privacy and Fit: A 91-foot-tall building looming over our homes and shared pool area
would significantly reduce our privacy and obstruct natural light. The proposed height andmassing are entirely out of scale with our residential neighborhood and will degrade the
quality of life for existing residents.
Construction Impacts: Prolonged construction would bring sustained noise, dust, debris, andaccess restrictions, affecting daily life for hundreds of nearby residents for years. I understand
that some construction impact on neighbors is inevitable in a development situation, but it canbe mitigated by adjusting the scale of the project and requiring proper precautions and clean
up.
Environmental Harm: Our complex 's redwood trees are a beautiful part of the local skylineand ecosystem. The project is likely to severely harm or kill some of our redwood trees. It
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would be a great loss to our community, including birds like the owls that nest in these trees.The inevitable increase in stormwater runoff and degradation of local air quality also raise
serious environmental concerns that have yet to be fully addressed.
I am not not opposed to new housing. I hope to see the 4256 site developed into housing thatwill fit, and help improve, the surrounding community. Please take the time to carefully weigh
the long-term impacts of this project and work toward a solution that respects both the city'shousing goals and the wellbeing of neighboring residents and businesses.
Thank you for your service and for your thoughtful consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Josh Knowles-HinrichsPalo Alto Redwoods Homeowner
4250 El Camino Real D239Palo Alto, CA 94306
From:Aram James
To:Gerry Gras; Dave Price; Emily Mibach; Gennady Sheyner; Gardener, Liz; Liz Kniss; Gennady Sheyner;jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Robert Salonga; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Conrad; Jessica Speiser,Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23;assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Veenker, Vicki; Lu, George; EPA Today; cromero@cityofepa.org;Mark Turner; Sean Allen; Zelkha, Mila; Salem Ajluni; Michael Pati; Yusra Hussain; Seher Awan; Sheree Roth; LoriMeyers; Palo Alto Renters" Association; h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Doug Minkler; Rodriguez, Miguel;Damon Silver; Daniel Barton; DuJuan Green; Dennis Upton; dennis burns; Binder, Andrew; Reifschneider, James;Council, City; board@valleywater.org; board@pausd.org; BoardOperations; Justin Zalkin; GRP-City Council; BillNewell; Raymond Goins; Donna Wallach; Dana St. George; Kaloma Smith; Reckdahl, Keith; Ed Lauing; Palo AltoFree Press; Nicole Chiu-Wang; Rowena Chiu; Roberta Ahlquist; Linda Jolley; Zelkha, Mila; WILPF Peninsula PaloAlto; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Anna Griffin; Cribbs, Anne
Subject:Criticizing Israel? AIPAC will bury you
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 9:01:26 AM
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of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Aram–
Americans now oppose Israel’s war on Gaza by a nearly 2-to-1 margin, according
to the latest Gallup poll. Among Democratic voters, opposition sits at a whopping 83
percent.
And yet Israel continues to carry out its genocidal war with tens of billions in U.S.
taxpayer dollars and an uninterrupted flow of American guns, bombs, and bullets.
How is that possible? The answer begins with the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobbying powerhouse.
AIPAC has become the No. 1 biggest outside spender in Democratic Party
primaries, allocating $100 million in 2024 alone to attack members of Congress who
spoke out for Palestinian human rights.
Their message: If you dare to criticize Israel, we will bury you.
But mainstream news outlets simply won’t touch the story of AIPAC’s enormous
clout, allowing AIPAC to fly under the radar and escape the kind of scrutiny that
other big-money special interests face.
That’s where The Intercept comes in. We documented every dollar AIPAC spent
during the 2024 campaign in painstaking detail across 389 total races. Now, we’re
tracking their lobbying activities on Capitol Hill to expose how the group leverages
their massive campaign spending to dictate how members of Congress vote.
This reporting simply could not happen without your support. So we’re
asking you to donate $10 right now to help fund the hard-hitting investigativereporting of The Intercept.
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Opposition to Israel’s war on Gaza has risen to an all-time high in recent days as
horrific images of starving, emaciated children spread across social media.
And yet just last week, the Senate overwhelmingly defeated a pair of resolutions to
block a new $675 million weapons shipment to Israel — with barely half of
Democratic senators willing to defy AIPAC and vote to stop the deal.
In fact, The Intercept recently reported that AIPAC is already gearing up to go after
its next set of targets, polling on potential primary challenges to Reps. Ilhan Omar,
D-Minn., and Summer Lee, D-Pa., two prominent critics of Israeli policy in the
House.
With Gaza in the grip of a manmade famine resulting from Israel’s six-monthblockade on food and humanitarian aid, The Intercept is doubling down on our
efforts to follow the money and expose AIPAC. But as a nonprofit, reader-supported
news site, we rely on donations to make this work possible.
Will you donate $10 to help support our ongoing investigative reporting to
expose AIPAC?
STAND WITH THE INTERCEPT →
Thank you,
The Intercept team
The Intercept is a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
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View this email in your browser
Sunday, August 17: County League Event
From:League of Women Voters of Palo AltoTo:Council, CitySubject:LWVPA Invites You & Yours! Meet Rep. Sam Liccardo (8/17) and Dive into Executive Power (9/9)Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 7:34:09 AM
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Meet our very own REP. SAM LICCARDO, who's coming
home to listen to YOU - his constituents.
Sunday, August 17 | 2-4pm
Mitchell Park Community Center | 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303
FREE | REGISTER HERE - submit your question for Rep. Liccardo when you sign up.
Tuesday, September 9: County League Event
Are there any limits to the president's powers?
Come find out!
Tuesday, September 9 | 7-9pm
Quinlan Community Center | 10185 N Stelling, Cupertino
FREE | REGISTER HERE and submit your question for our panelists
We envision a democracy where every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge, and
the confidence to participate. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political
organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to
increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through
education and advocacy.
We welcome not only women, but anyone who supports democracy and voting rights for
all. Join today, and you will make connections, build lasting friendships, explore new
interests, build skills, learn about important local issues - and give back to your
community! Give or join today! Your support empowers voters and protects democracy.
Thank you!
We'd love to hear from you!
Our mailing address is LWVPA, 3921 E Bayshore Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303
Email to communications@lwvpaloalto.org
Subscribe to our newsletters: sign up using the subscription form
Want to change how you receive these emails?You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Tatyana Kanzaveli; Trudy Willis; Charles Spanhook; Aram James; Roberta Ahlquist
Cc:Letters NYT; Office of the Provost; Council, City
Subject:Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Wednesday, August 6, 2025 12:54:40 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.> > The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longe has
lost face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu as PrimeMinister, hiding in plain sight from international justice.
> > But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor in
comparison to virtually uniform active and passive support for a leader who is carrying out aso called “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens, concomitant with steady escalation to a
“Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than airdenial by forced
> gas.>
> Cease fire Now:flood in food!>
> Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? GivenStanford’s unique history, iconic tower and Institute in his honour, the University should
speak out institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-industry coalition to oppose the Vietnam war
> > In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs to call
with one voice for Gaza cease fire. >
> Sincerely>
> Henry Etzkowitz> 1766 sand Hill Road
> Palo Alto CA 94304> 646 701 2695
> Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice> 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council
> > www.triplehelix.net
From:Aram James
To:Veenker, Vicki
Cc:h.etzko@gmail.com; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Gardener, Liz; Raymond Goins;
Doug Minkler; Lori Meyers; Dave Price; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; EPA Today; Emily Mibach; Braden
Cartwright; Diana Diamond; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly
District 23; Palo Alto Free Press; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg; ParkRec Commission; Jay Boyarsky;
Zelkha, Mila; Rodriguez, Miguel; Damon Silver; Baker, Rob; Roberta Ahlquist; Dana St. George; Donna Wallach;
Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@pausd.org; board@valleywater.org; Bill Newell; Zahra Billoo; Mark Turner;
Binder, Andrew; CityCouncil; Michelle Bigelow; Gennady Sheyner; editor@paweekly.com; WILPF Peninsula Palo
Alto; Palo Alto Renters" Association; Justin Zalkin; Rowena Chiu; Sean Allen; Seher Awan; Yusra Hussain; Burt,
Patrick; Blackshire, Geoffrey; Jasso, Tamara; Council, City; Jeff Hayden; Jeff Rosen; Roberta Ahlquist; Pat M;
james pitkin
Subject:Commentary: Dying babies. Starving adults. Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling it a “genocide”
Date:Tuesday, August 5, 2025 9:54:18 PM
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Commentary: Dying babies. Starving adults. Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling it a“genocide”
Dying babies. Starving adults. Even Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is calling it a“genocide”
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-07-31/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-is-
first-house-republican-to-call-the-nightmare-in-gaza-genocide
From:Doron Noyman
To:Council, City
Cc:Donna Noyman
Subject:Letter Regarding 332 Forest Avenue Proposal (25PLN‑00130)
Date:Tuesday, August 5, 2025 6:33:32 PM
Attachments:Opposition Letter to 332 Forest Avenue Rezoning.pdf
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Dear Council Members,
Attached is my letter regarding the proposed development at 332 Forest Avenue. I will not be
able to attend the meeting on Monday, August 11, but I would like to ensure that mycomments are taken into consideration as part of the public record.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Doron Noyman
Doron and Donna Noyman
707 Bryant St #305Palo Alto, CA 94301
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From:Karen O"Rourke
To:Council, City
Cc:Karen O"Rourke
Subject:4256 El Camino proposed building
Date:Tuesday, August 5, 2025 5:52:25 PM
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to express my strong objection to the new building proposal at 4256 El CaminoReal. As a resident of the adjacent Palo Alto Redwoods community, I believe this project
presents several significant concerns:
* **Invasion of Privacy:** The proposed building's close proximity to my bedroom wouldresult in a direct line of sight into and from units, compromising privacy for both parties.
* **Increased Noise:** We have endured considerable noise from recent projects along ElCamino Real, and the prospect of ongoing construction and increased activity from a new
building is disheartening, as it would prolong the disruption.* **Dust and Air Quality:** Construction would undoubtedly generate substantial dust,
making it difficult to enjoy my balcony and keep bedroom windows open during warmerweather, leading to additional cleaning burdens.
* **Sunshine Blockage:** Having chosen my unit specifically for its abundant naturalsunlight, a new building of this scale would likely block this essential amenity, negatively
impacting my living experience.* **Potential Damage to Redwoods:** The beautiful redwood trees were a key reason for
purchasing my home in this complex. I urge you to confirm whether a comprehensive studyhas been conducted to assess and mitigate any potential damage to these trees.
* **Exacerbated Traffic:** El Camino Real already experiences significant traffic congestion.Adding an estimated 100 or more cars from a new development would further worsen traffic
flow and make exiting our complex during peak hours even more challenging.* **Aesthetic Impact:** From an aesthetic perspective, the proposed building design is, in my
opinion, unattractive and would detract from the overall appearance of the neighborhood.
Beyond these immediate concerns, I anticipate that the aforementioned issues wouldnegatively impact my property value.
Instead of this proposal, I would like to suggest an alternative use for the property: a public
fast electric charging station. Such a facility would address the current scarcity of fastchargers, benefiting many drivers, including residents of Palo Alto Redwoods. I envision
people walking to nearby establishments like Dinah's and Hobee's while their vehicles charge,which could generate revenue for the city and support local businesses. Perhaps a small coffee
shop could even be integrated into the design.
I strongly urge you to reject this proposal.
Sincerely,Karen O'Rourke
From:Mary Lou Torre
To:Council, City
Subject:4256 El Camino Real [25PLN-00095]
Date:Tuesday, August 5, 2025 4:52:50 PM
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Subject - 4256 El Camino - Proposed Housing Project - Agenda Item - August 11, 2025
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I would like not only to express my support for additional housing in Palo Alto, but also to
express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256 El Camino Real, Palo Alto.
As a resident of the Palo Alto Redwoods at 4250 El Camino Real, I am happy to have housing
built next door. I love living in the Redwoods and would welcome an attractive apartmentcomplex at 4256 El Camino Real.
However, I believe the size of the proposed project is out of scale with the size of the lot. 120units in a six-story structure on a lot that once housed a single restaurant is like forcing a300-pound linebacker to sit on a child's chair. It can be done, but it's not a good idea. Like my neighbors, I am concerned about traffic congestion, fire safety, and emergency
vehicle access due to inadequate setbacks.
Please, as you consider this project proposal,
Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study.
Ensure the project design respects the privacy and character of the existing
neighborhood.
Ensure the project provides sufficient infrastructure and parking to prevent traffic
hazards and parking spillover onto neighboring properties.
Maintain open communication with local residents and organizations during planning
and construction.
While I most definitely support new housing in Palo Alto, I believe addressing these concerns
will lead to better outcomes for both current and future residents.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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Best regards,
Mary Lou Torre
From:Tony Lee
To:Council, City
Subject:Re: El Camino Real Parking Changes: Impact on Stanford Coin Wash and other small businesses
Date:Tuesday, August 5, 2025 9:04:07 AM
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Dear Palo Alto City Council Member,
I am writing to follow up on my previous correspondence regarding the parking changes on El
Camino Real and their impact on Stanford Coin Wash. Specifically, I have not yet receivedany updates concerning the "delivery vehicles excepted" signage I observed next to the Tesla
and McLaren dealerships.
I continue to drive past these dealerships on El Camino Real daily and still see these specialpermit signs prominently displayed. This observation reinforces my earlier point about the
precedent for accommodating specific operational requirements for businesses.
Given this, I would like to formally request a similar parking permit for the area directly infront of my laundromat. My aim is to provide my customers with the same privilege as those
delivery vehicles when they are dropping off or picking up their laundry. As I previouslyhighlighted, many of my customers, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities, face
significant difficulties walking several blocks while carrying heavy bags of laundry. Adesignated loading/unloading zone or a short-term parking permit would greatly alleviate this
burden and ensure continued access to my services for these vulnerable customers.
I remain eager to work with the City of Palo Alto to find a practical and equitable solution thatsupports local businesses like mine while also respecting the objectives of the El Camino Real
Improvement Project.
Thank you for your continued attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,Tony Lee
650-224-2230 cell
On Tue, May 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM Tony Lee <leetony@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear Palo Alto City Council member,
I am writing to you regarding the recent changes to parking regulations on El Camino Real,
specifically the implementation of "No Parking" in front of my laundromat, Stanford CoinWash, located at 2045 El Camino Real. I understand that these changes are related to the
Caltrans El Camino Real Pavement Rehabilitation and ADA Improvements project.
While I understand the importance of these infrastructure improvements, I am deeply
concerned about the severe impact this "No Parking" regulation is having on my business
and my ability to serve my customers, as well as other small businesses.
Unlike many retail establishments, a laundromat's business model relies heavily on
customers' ability to load and unload bulky and heavy items – in this case, laundry.Customers often arrive with multiple large bags or baskets of laundry, and the "No Parking"
restriction makes it extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible, for them to access mybusiness.
The lack of convenient parking directly translates to:
Loss of Customers: Many of my regular customers, particularly those who are
elderly, disabled, or do not have assistance, are finding it too challenging to use myservices without the ability to park briefly. I am already seeing a decline in
customer traffic.
Reduced Revenue: The decrease in customer volume is directly impacting my
revenue and threatens the viability of my business. As a small business owner, thisis a very serious concern.
Operational Inefficiency: Even for customers who are able to manage, the "NoParking" rule forces them to park at a distance and carry heavy loads, creating
inconvenience and delays, and potentially causing safety issues.
______________________________________________________________________
Observations on "Delivery Vehicles Excepted" Signage
In addition to the immediate impact on my business, I've observed a related issue that I
believe highlights the need for more nuanced parking solutions. I've noticed specific signsdisplayed prominently in front of several car dealerships along El Camino Real, includingTesla, Volvo, and McLaren, that state "delivery vehicles excepted" under the "NoParking Any Time" sign.
This observation raises a few important questions relevant to our parking discussions:
Ordinance or Justification: What is the specific ordinance or justification behind
these "delivery vehicles excepted" signs? Are these standard for all commercialproperties or unique to certain business types? Understanding the legal framework for
these exceptions could offer valuable insight into how we might approach the uniqueloading/unloading needs of other businesses like mine.Balancing Needs: If certain businesses are granted exceptions for their logisticalneeds, it suggests there's a precedent for accommodating specific operational
requirements. I believe laundromats, with their reliance on customers loading andunloading heavy items, warrant similar consideration to ensure equitable access and
business viability.
______________________________________________________________________
I urge the City of Palo Alto to consider the unique needs of businesses like mine that requirecustomers to load and unload items. I respectfully request that you consider the following
potential solutions:
Designated Loading/Unloading Zone: A designated loading/unloading zone, even
if limited to a short duration (e.g., 15-30 minutes), would provide a practicalsolution for my customers to access my business.
Short-Term Parking Permits: Explore the possibility of issuing short-termparking permits for customers of businesses like mine, specifically for the purpose
of loading and unloading.
I am eager to work with the City of Palo Alto to find a solution that addresses the needs of
the El Camino Real Improvement Project while also ensuring the survival of localbusinesses like my laundromat. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter
further with you at your earliest convenience. You can reach me at 650-224-2230or leetony@gmail.com.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Tony Lee
Stanford Coin Wash
650-224-2230 cell
From:Rice, Danille
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed
Cc:Executive Leadership Team; City Mgr; Clerk, City
Subject:City Council Bundle - August 5
Date:Tuesday, August 5, 2025 7:48:45 AM
Attachments:RE Someone defecated in front of my house.msgFw IndustrialTransportCommercial Safety.msgRE This gate blocking mechanism is broken already.msgRE Rail Committee Meetings.msgimage001.pngimage002.pngRE Dangerous Road Condition.msgRE Alma is becoming a dumping ground.msgRE Boulware park questions.msg
Dear Mayor and Council Members,
On behalf of City Manager Ed Shikada, please see the attached staff responses to emails received in
the Council inbox through August 5, 2025.
Respectfully,
Danille
Danille RiceAdministrative AssistantCity Manager’s Office|Human Resources|Transportation(650) 329-2229 | danille.rice@PaloAlto.gov
www.PaloAlto.gov
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Letters NYT
Cc:Office of the Provost; Council, City
Subject:Israel’s democracy risks failure
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 10:12:26 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of openingattachments and clicking on links.
The stellar legitimation of Israel, uniquely democratic among undemocratic states longe,
longrr has face validity. The Knesset and courts have failed to remove Benjamin Netanyahu asPrime Minister hiding in plain sight from international justice.
But failure to follow international rules of justice, although serious, is relatively minor in
comparison to virtually uniform active nd passive support for a leader who is varying out a socalled “Hannibal policy” against its own citizens concomitant with steady escalation to a
“Final Solution” in Gaza through food deprivation by withholding nutrition rather than airdenial by forced
gas.
Cease fire Now:flood in food!
Who will be the contemporary Herbert Hoover to accomplish this objective? Given Stanford’sunique history, iconic towr and Institute in his honour, the University should speak out
institutionally as Washington University, St Louis did in leading a university-industrycoalition to oppose the Vietnam war
In this era and region, Stanford should invite Palo Alto and its Silicon Valley spinoffs to call
with one voice for Gaza cease fire
Sincerely
Henry Etzkowitz 1766 sand Hill Road
Palo Alto CA 94304646 701 2695
Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice 2024 Candidate for Palo Alto city council
www.triplehelix.net
From:Aram James
To:Mark Turner; Binder, Andrew; Council, City; Perron, Zachary; CityCouncil; Sean Allen; Gerry Gras; Gardener, Liz;Vicki Veenker; Daniel Kottke; Reckdahl, Keith; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California DemocraticDelegate, Assembly District 23; Josh Becker; GRP-City Council; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@pausd.org;board@valleywater.org; Bill Newell; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Palo Alto Renters" Association;Jeff Conrad; Jeff Rosen; Jeff Hayden; Human Relations Commission; Zelkha, Mila; h.etzko@gmail.com; Palo AltoFree Press; Lotus Fong; Liz Kniss; EPA Today; Emily Mibach
Subject:Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Now The First GOP Congress Member To Call What"s Happening In Gaza A "Genocide"
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 8:08:49 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Vicki,
Check this out!
Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Now The First GOP Congress Member To Call What's HappeningIn Gaza A "Genocide" Source: BuzzFeed https://share.newsbreak.com/ednxbftj?s=i0
From:Aram James
To:Ed Lauing; Reckdahl, Keith
Cc:Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen; Friends of Cubberley; Liz Kniss; Gardener, Liz; Josh Becker; Jessica Speiser,
Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23;
assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Zelkha, Mila; Council, City; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg;
cromero@cityofepa.org; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com; Gerry Gras; Mark Turner; Sean Allen; Figueroa, Eric;
city.council@menlopark.gov; rabrica@cityofepa.org; CityCouncil; GRP-City Council; Bill Newell; Roberta Ahlquist;
Emily Mibach; Dave Price; Baker, Rob
Subject:Re: Israel is ‘on the precipice of defeat’ in Gaza, ex-officials say — as Netanyahu believes only military victory canfree hostages
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 7:00:43 PM
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On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 6:48 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Israel is ‘on the precipice of defeat’ in Gaza, ex-officials say — as Netanyahu believes only
military victory can free hostages Source: New York Posthttps://share.newsbreak.com/ednnqgw2?s=i0
From:Sky Posse Post
To:Council, City; Shikada, Ed; Stump, Molly
Cc:Eggleston, Brad; Swanson, Andrew; Horrigan-Taylor, Meghan
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 6:50:44 PM
Attachments:Sky Posse Palo Alto comment on FAA Order 1050.1G FR 2025-1571 Aug 4.pdf
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Dear Mayor Lauing, City Council, City Manager, City Attorney,
Attached please find our comment on FAA Order 1050.1G.
Thank you,
Sky Posse Palo Alto
August 4, 2025
Julie Ann Marks
Executive Director, Office of Environment and Energy
Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, DC
Subject: Federal Register Rescission of FAA Order 1050.1F, Availability of FAA’s New Order
1050.1G
Dear Ms Marks,
The FAA’s new order 1050.1G for agency compliance with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) when handling flight path impacts, airport developments and new entrants has
major implications for our community which is directly impacted by three international airports
undergoing expansions. We see that the new rules serve to align with court decisions, executive
orders, and other updates to speed up infrastructure projects or to reduce the scope of and
eliminate the need for higher level environmental reviews. And the FAA’s permissive 65 DNL
threshold which regulates NEPA review levels, and the substantive issues about how the FAA
analyzes and discloses noise impacts, remain unresolved.
While NEPA is an administrative process, it determines local practices and the relationships
between communities and airports. It also determines investments in managing and reducing
noise. Our input is focused on probing how the FAA can make structural changes to correct
serious problems that have been identified with the FAA’s practices.
FAA’s NEPA rules:
In its announcement, the FAA states that its mandates are “promoting aviation safety; fostering
air commerce, and developing and managing the National Airspace System;” and that its NEPA
rules are meant to “balance environmental considerations with the imperative to maintain and
improve aviation safety and efficiency.” NEPA law is meant to help the FAA arrive at the
“balancing” of environmental considerations with NEPA reviews of airports and flight path
procedures and for informed decision making - this requires the FAA to take a “hard look” at
agency actions, and engage stakeholders to explore alternatives or mitigations. This means
relying on robust data, technology and analysis tools, reasonable methodologies and good
recordkeeping which enhance a culture of safety; these practices are essential for airspace
procedures oversight to help better manage the National Airspace System (NAS).
Where the FAA invites abuse and compromises safety and environmental balance is when rules
prioritize fostering air commerce over its other mandates. US airports, airlines, manufacturers
and aviation interests are already possibly the most subsidized industries in the world,
dependent upon large levels of federal grants and investments. The bias toward air commerce
is out of balance with air safety and environmental considerations. Airport plans and projects are
scoped to avoid requiring higher level reviews, and Federal Airport Improvement (AIP) Grants
disallow noise monitors as “revenue diversion.” Also, unlike major European airports that use
the International Civil Association Organization (ICAO)’s “balanced approach” to engage
stakeholders, and impose fines for noise, the FAA’s NEPA, AIP grants, and other rules nullify
ICAO’s policy at home. US airlines comply with other country’s noise reduction and clean air
initiatives but we lack even noise monitors which impairs tracking noise abatement initiatives
and keeps airports and airlines unaccountable.
The Secretary of the Department of Transportation recently asked why “ ..so many other
countries have safer and cleaner transportation systems;” A big reason other countries enjoy
safer, cleaner, and less noisy transportation systems is that they engage in analysis and provide
disclosure to the public. A frequent reason given at home to avoid carrying out higher level
reviews has been that they take too long and cost millions when analysis and disclosure
capabilities are more powerful than ever; costs have come down precipitously, and one expert
calls data availability “an embarrassment of riches.” Processing a full year of SFO overflights
can take days in some cases and the same data can be visualized with a variety of metrics.
1050.1G’s rules to shorten reviews should not discourage quality and the FAA must require
everyone who is part of a procedure design or amendment to be held accountable for
maintaining careful records. At the March 27, 2025 Senate hearing to examine the tragic D.C.
midair collision, frustration was expressed about not being able to get the necessary document
trail from the FAA or the various entities involved in the design of the procedure.
We propose that the FAA require “more and better” analysis and documentation of flight path
procedures before and after they reach CATEX (lowest level or no review) and to employ, like
other countries, effective implementation of the ICAO balanced approach which escalates noise
abatement initiatives from reducing noise at the source; land use planning; Noise Abatement
with Operational Procedures, to eventual last resort Operational Restrictions, which we suggest
should also be considered for safety. To achieve this, we ask the FAA to consider the following
questions and observations in five areas; legal, Government Accountability recommendations,
scientific validity; community expectations, and transparency.
LEGAL
1) Separate NEPA from Regulation Part 150: How the FAA interprets laws, particularly to
establish the “significant impact ” trigger for reviews, is foundational to fulfill the agency’s
statutory duty to observe the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We believe that the
agency is erroneously applying to NEPA a threshold established for Regulation Part 150–a
voluntary program and an entirely different law and purpose. Also, in addition to the FAA’s NES
study making the 65 threshold obsolete, the 65 DNL has been explained in various expert
presentations as a “compromise” threshold to decide what to mitigate and how, which in effect
prejudges impacts, in contradiction to the purpose of NEPA. Please note some key NEPA and
Part 150 contrasts here.
2
2) Is the “reportable noise” criteria +5 dB for 45-60 Annual DNL solely for EAs, or also to
assess extraordinary circumstances that would preclude CATEX? We see no evidence to
support the FAA's +5 dB to permit this magnitude of noise increase. Many communities post
Nextgen simply cannot sustain increases. More sensitive criteria is necessary for already
impacted areas and where aircraft noise is objectively more intense. The FAA’s NES study
showed aircraft noise causes more annoyance compared to other transportation noise; this is
especially relevant in quieter environments away from the airport. We have evidence showing
how the number of complaints and number of people reporting noise as far as 50 miles from the
airport surges with the increase in SFO arrivals. Looking at two sample days reporting on the
stopjetnoise.app: July 19 had 933 noise reports filed by 95 users and July 20 had 1,757 noise
reports from 141 users. This data has been tracked since the implementation of Nextgen,
disproving the +5 dB; and should preclude CATEX.
3) Who is responsible for assessing flight path impacts from airport development? With
Nextgen flight path design projects, the FAA did not consider airport capacity building per its
common definition, actions which enable an airport to handle more operations which means
more flights, more noise, more pollution. Now, SFO is investing to increase airport services
(more flights, more schedules, more noise and more safety risks in congested airspace) but
avoids taking a hard look at impacts on communities from the Nextegen paths. The FAA should
clarify what is the NEPA process for changes to airport operations--including flight path impacts,
which is highly relevant to communities as far as 50 miles from SFO.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) RECOMMENDATIONS
GAO made three recommendations to improve NEPA reviews: 1) More metrics for the FAA's
internal assessments of noise impacts; 2) more ways to present flight path impacts to the
public; and 3) clearer information to airports and communities on what communities can
expect from the FAA including post-implementation outreach. In short, GAO seeks to
improve communications and disclosures. GAO interviewed communities around the country;
communities don’t want to be kept in the dark on procedural airspace matters that affect our
health, our families and quality of life. Aeronautical terms need to be translated into plain
language that communities understand and in general communications standards need to be
raised.
One concern is how the FAA handles the various stakeholders that influence flight paths. “The
Woodside Request” below is a snapshot of how over three decades multiple stakeholders
had a hand in a flight path change that was designed to give relief to a community but ultimately
morphed into a noise increase and changed flight paths without any community input . This lack
of accountability promotes abuse and we present some observations and questions for the FAA
to consider:
3
The Woodside Request - the many hands in flight path development
The town of Woodside, in the 90’s initiated a rerouting of early morning SFO bound Hawaii
and Asia flights. It began as a temporary rerouting of about a dozen flights. United Airlines
operated the majority of the early morning flights. Per an FAA spokesman,“United found that
making the final approaches from a slightly higher altitude was no more difficult and that safety
was not compromised.“
The SFO Roundtable asked the FAA to permanently move the crossing 5 nautical miles South
away from Woodside, at 1500 feet higher altitudes.
SFO, NASA, Boeing, FAA, and United Airlines join forces in 2006 to launch a new procedure,
“Oceanic Tailored Arrivals” (OTA or TA) for the Hawaii and Asia flights touting noise reduction.
Made available to select carriers.
Town of Portola Valley Mayor inquires in 2010 if an EA is required for Tailored Arrivals; the
airport said it was not necessary. The Mayor was chastised for asking and the SFO Roundtable
apologized to the FAA on the Mayor’s behalf.
FAA and Nextgen Advisory Committee, a “public-private” partnership, implemented major
changes in 2014 and 2015. Some of the Nextgen effects are illustrated here. Editorial The Palo
Alto Weekly.
The FAA in 2018 published PIRAT to replace United’s OTA; for all carriers for SFO and OAK,
with a CATEX. Palo Alto City Manager comments on a FOIA to obtain information .
Citizens submitted the following comment about PIRAT to the IFP Gateway, the FAA’s flight
paths portal.
The PIRAT Catex document states that “PIRAT STAR will convert the Pacific 2 Tailored
Approach (TA) to a public-use RNAV STAR that expands benefits of the TA--currently
only available to selected carriers--to ALL users of KSFO.” Benefits of TA are the
reduction of fuel burn, emissions, and noise. However, while the Pacific 2 Tailored
Approach extends the procedure for pilots to descend on a continuous descent
(relatively quieter) over communities *beyond* the Woodside VOR area, PIRAT is slated
to END this. Please halt the Catex for PIRAT and instead consider impacts of the
changes on all affected citizens. It is of particular concern that during nighttime, you
would also exclude from environmental analysis people, elderly and children who
may be negatively impacted residents on the ground by these actions.
The FAA instituted the following upon receiving the above comment.
FAA Disclaimer:https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/procedures/
Disclaimer
4
The Instrument Flight Procedure (IFP) Information Gateway is a communication tool
that FAA uses to disseminate information about proposed changes to flight
procedures to solicit comments from civil aviation organizations, affected military and
civil air traffic control facilities, and airport owners and sponsors. The website is
intended only for an aeronautical audience who can provide technical aeronautical
comments. The website is not intended to fulfill obligations under the National
Environmental Policy Act and/or other applicable environmental regulations, or to solicit
comments about environmental impacts of proposed changes to flight procedures. By
selecting "Continue", you acknowledge that comments submitted to the IFP Information
Gateway related to potential environmental impacts will not be considered.
We appreciate that the AICA organization comment includes correspondence from alarmed
cities in their Appendix C, and Appendix D noting how the FAA erroneously labeled PIRAT as a
Select Committee “community request.” We note that the SFO Roundtable with the airport as
their advisor submitted nearly 50 requests (half for Departures) that the Arrivals effort did not
discuss and had no way of understanding but as Ms Girvin explains - endorsed or not - all
requests were taken as alternatives. These aren’t communication problems; the FAA’s lax due
diligence practices to examine extraordinary circumstances (that done right would call for more
review) invite manipulation of the public’s good faith efforts. It’s why procedures pass as
“quieter; when they make more noise;” and airport and airline business projects get dressed as
“safety” initiatives when they could be causing undue risks. All IFP requests should be coded to
the sponsor (s), be it an airline, airport, individual and require a detailed explanation for the
request. The FAA also needs to address in their guidance how the recommendations it
considers from Roundtables as “consensus” exclude various cities. Whereas Night Time Noise
Abatement for the MidPeninsula that has regional consensus (not just the Roundtable), and
based on the advice from the FAA during the Select Committee are still not a high priority.
What can the FAA do for communities excluded from Airport Roundtables? The SFO
Roundtable has repeatedly rejected Palo Alto from membership, despite the fact that the city
bears the unique burden of three SFO arrival flight paths. But it’s especially challenging when
the FAA gives Roundtables exclusive access to the FAA resources which as described in the
FAA’s sheet includes Air Traffic Organization Technical Expertise, Regional Administrator
outreach, and Community Engagement Officers. Ironically, it was thanks to efforts from citizens
excluded from Roundtables that Congress passed the 2018 Reauthorization Sec 180
Ombudsman provision that resulted in the CEOs, but instead of helping people who lack
Roundtable representation, the FAA interpreted the Ombudsman law as more resources for
Roundtables. It’s not the FAA’s fault that local politics interfere with FAA outreach, or that the
SCSC Roundtable to represent MidPen and South counties in the SF Bay Area disbanded
without any explanation to citizens, but the FAA is not just accountable to Roundtables; there
needs to be explicit ways for non-Roundtable cities and citizens to benefit from the same level
of attention as Roundtable member cities.
5
Are post-implementation and public outreach available for Catex? Phoenix had a CATEX
where the FAA published an external document with public outreach, project website, and
possibly post-implementation review. What is the criteria to have this, and could this type of
review include noise assessments? All efforts need to be made for CATEX to not result in what
many have called FAA “stealth” operations, and the public should not have to rely on a FOIA to
be given information about impacts to their community. The Woodside Request early timeline
above is courtesy of a MidPen resident cleaning out her attic.
What type of noise technical resources will support what GAO calls FAA’s “internal
assessments of noise”? It appears that currently the resources to carry out NEPA are
administrative and legal, not actual “assessments of noise.” CATEX are published based on a
form or internal memos with the 65 DNL (a hurdle so low everything qualifies as a Catex), and
EA’s are management decisions as it happened with Nextgen and the eventual higher level EA
noise assessments were carried out by a contractor. This leaves a gap in that airports do noise
assessments for Part 150, but there are no assessments of areas outside the 65 DNL that we
are aware of. We would encourage the FAA to have an internal noise technical team to maintain
noise exposure maps and to better support improving communications.
SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY - “source noise” measurements do not quantify aircraft noise
exposure
In 2021, the FAA stated that “as a core component of FAA’s work to address aircraft noise, as
well as a requirement of its environmental regulatory commitments, the FAA must maintain the
ability to accurately quantify aircraft noise exposure around airports and throughout the National
Airspace System.” This involves what tools are used, data, methodologies, metrics. What
communities know does not adequately quantify noise exposure is the CATEX level look which
contrasts navigation charts. SFO’s GBAS looked at navigation charts and added the noise
footprint of one airplane; similar selective measurements caused controversy about
methodology in 2010 when SFO, and United Airlines presented Oceanic Tailored Arrivals. This
is the “source noise” methodology,
“..to look at changes from PBN by examining the source noise of the PBN procedure
compared to the course noise of an existing procedure, disregarding receivers on the
ground. By separating the source from the receiver, one is able to simplify the issue by
removing two technically complicated dimensions - the amount of noise on the ground
and the impact of noise on people - and concentrate solely on the engine state of the
aircraft. If it can be shown that the engine is in a state of lower thrust throughout the
entire procedure, then one can assume a lower noise emanating from the aircraft.”
The source noise method does not quantify aircraft noise exposure baselines. In contrast - in
terms of data - the amount of overflight data collected for an EA standard is one year’s worth of
all overflights overflying an area and this can be used to produce more analysis and with various
metrics; also make it possible to track progress or success in noise abatement in the manner
communities want to see. Communities expend enormous efforts to set the bar higher for more
6
and better analysis; it’s overdue for the FAA to give communities a say on the methodologies
and promote higher standards for flight path noise exposure analysis.
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS: The Select Committee’s “process” recommendations:
The largest effort where an FAA Regional Administrator acted as Technical Advisor that we
know is the Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals that convened 24 elected officials (12
seated, 12 alternates) encompassing three Congressional districts and representing some of
the most renown parts of the country from the California Coast to the San Francisco Bay Area.
There were many technical discussions but it is the Committee’s “process” recommendations
that are highly relevant for the FAA to fulfill NEPA’s purpose, to promote environmental balance
and health and welfare. Please see the Chair’s Transmittal letter, and per the Final Report of the
Select Committee we highlight the Committee’s “process” recommendations as follows:
FAA must lead on mitigating noise concerns:
“Notwithstanding the FAA’s good faith effort to provide technical expertise to the
Committee, the Committee’s view is that the process is fundamentally backwards – the
FAA should be going to Members of Congress and their affected constituencies with
proposals for review and comment, not the other way around. Should a similar process
be employed here or elsewhere in the country in the future, the Select Committee
recommends that, to the greatest degree possible, the FAA be charged with the
responsibility for identifying and proposing solutions to mitigate noise concerns, and that
community groups and elected officials be consulted for review and comment, and to
offer additional suggestions.”
Noise Monitoring and more metrics:
“The lack of aircraft noise monitoring prior to the implementation of NextGen hampered
the Committee’s (and the public’s) ability to measure and document the actual impacts of
the changes that were implemented in March 2015. Looking ahead, the Committee is
concerned that if the FAA fails to perform “before and after” noise measurements related
to the implementation of Recommendations contained in this Report, there will likewise
be an inability to measure, analyze and verify, and document the desired improvements.”
Select Committee "ALL Noise Metrics" Recommendation - including C weighting
Prior understandings, directives, or agreements: CAREFUL DOCUMENTATION
“The Committee received significant comment from both the public, and the elected
official members of the Committee, about prior understandings, directives, or
agreements, including those regarding altitude restrictions, not being adhered to. Such
comments suggest the need for compliance monitoring with respect to previously agreed
to efforts, and with respect to newly identified noise mitigation efforts…The Select
Committee recommends careful documentation and ongoing compliance monitoring for
7
any set of solutions accepted and implemented by the FAA. The Committee
recommends that the Members of Congress ensure that the FAA takes the appropriate
steps to measure and guarantee ongoing compliance.”
Mid Peninsula Altitude and Permanent Noise Monitor Agreement
TRANSPARENCY
We would like to acknowledge that the FAA has conducted important studies and public
outreach leading up to the Noise Policy Review, including the Select Committee on South Bay
Arrivals, and we also appreciate the agency’s research on noise analysis tools. How airports
interact with communities on NEPA, however,needs more attention. A stark example of the low
trust in the FAA’s airport policies took place last year in our city, when Council met for what they
expected would be a routine look at a Long-Range Facilities & Sustainability Plan for the Palo
Alto Airport; it was a packed meeting. Please see some of our input on airport expansions:
Long-Range Facilities & Sustainability Plan (LRFSP) for Palo Alto Airport, SFO DEIR is
inadequate without the consideration of flight path impacts; NIGHT time noise and Planned
Airport Expansions
An overriding concern is how projects are promoted as noise reduction or safety which, as
happened, was the case with Oceanic Tailored Arrivals, Nextgen, and SFO GBAS using the
arbitrary “source noise” methodology which cannot offer evidence of noise exposure reduction.
Airports have many privileges; besides federal funding, they raise money in the capital markets
including with municipal bonds meant for projects like hospitals and schools, and thus should
observe rules to promote transparency. Airlines are also recipients of federal support. Airports
and airlines should be held to a higher standard for safety and noise reduction, and not mislead
the public with claims that their products are quiet or clean without adequate evidence.
Thank you,
Sky Posse Palo Alto
CC: Raquel Girvin Regional Administrator Federal Aviation Administration
Western-Pacific Region
City Council, City of Palo Alto
8
From:Henry Etzkowitz
To:Justin Zalkin
Cc:Aram James; Martin Wasserman; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; GRP-City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov;cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; Sean Allen; Today EPA; Dave Price; GennadySheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; board@pausd.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Subject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 6:04:54 PM
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Apples and Oranges
Try Mau Mau and Irgun.
Instead of South Africa freedom movement with Ghandi non violent heritage
Henry www.triplehelix.net
On Aug 4, 2025, at 4:45 PM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi Aram,
Many thanks for your comments. These are some really poignant reads. It seems clear Ms Wallach saw Israelis treatPalestinians very poorly! And regarding terrorism vs freedom fighting, I think I understand your point: the British sawGeorge Washington as a traitor and many South Africans referred to Nelson Mandela as a terrorist.
Several questions come to mind from those reads! The most challenging for me is: If Hamas were to have the opportunity togovern the region, do you think they would behave more kindly towards the Jewish inhabitants than Ms. Wallach describedthe Israeli State behaving towards the Palestinians? Do you think Hamas would govern with forgiveness and intent to nation-build as Nelson Mandela did?
Most of the data points I have seen (e.g. Hamas' charter, history of bus bombings and rocket attacks, October 7 andsubsequent commentary) paint a more violent image of the organization.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 4, 2025, at 3:23 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Justin,
Last one for the day:
From my very brave anti-Zionist dear friend Donna Wallach.
Avram
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hey Justin,
Here is a bit more Information on the Genocide.
Avram
Amnesty Internationalinvestigation concludes
Israel is committinggenocide againstPalestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basisto conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing tocommit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied GazaStrip, the organization said in a landmark new report
published today.
The report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’sGenocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how,
during its military offensive launched in the wake of thedeadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction onPalestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with totalimpunity.
“Amnesty International’s report demonstrates that Israel hascarried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, withthe specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These actsinclude killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm and
deliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of lifecalculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month aftermonth, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhumangroup unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating itsintent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard,Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to theinternational community: this is genocide. It must stop now.
“States that continue to transfer arms to Israel at this timemust know they are violating their obligation to preventgenocide and are at risk of becoming complicit in genocide.
All states with influence over Israel, particularly key armssuppliers like the USA and Germany, but also other EUmember states, the UK and others, must act now to bringIsrael’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to animmediate end.”
Over the past two months the crisis has grown particularlyacute in the North Gaza governorate, where a besiegedpopulation is facing starvation, displacement andannihilation amid relentless bombardment and suffocating
restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted in
committing genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm itwas inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. It continued to do so indefiance of countless warnings about the catastrophichumanitarian situation and of legally binding decisions from theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to takeimmediate measures to enable the provision of humanitarianassistance to civilians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Israel has repeatedly argued that its actions in Gaza arelawful and can be justified by its military goal to eradicate
Hamas. But genocidal intent can co-exist alongside militarygoals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent.”
Amnesty International examined Israel’s acts in Gazaclosely and in their totality, taking into account theirrecurrence and simultaneous occurrence, and both theirimmediate impact and their cumulative and mutuallyreinforcing consequences. The organization considered thescale and severity of the casualties and destruction overtime. It also analysed public statements by officials, finding
that prohibited acts were often announced or called for in
the first place by high-level officials in charge of the war
efforts.
“Taking into account the pre-existing context of dispossession,
apartheid and unlawful military occupation in which these acts
have been committed, we could find only one reasonableconclusion: Israel’s intent is the physical destruction ofPalestinians in Gaza, whether in parallel with, or as a means toachieve, its military goal of destroying Hamas,” said AgnèsCallamard.
“The atrocity crimes committed on 7 October 2023 byHamas and other armed groups against Israelis and victimsof other nationalities, including deliberate mass killings and
hostage-taking, can never justify Israel’s genocide againstPalestinians in Gaza.”
International jurisprudence recognizes that the perpetrator
does not need to succeed in their attempts to destroy theprotected group, either in whole or in part, for genocide tohave been committed. The commission of prohibited actswith the intent to destroy the group, as such, is sufficient.
Amnesty International’s report examines in detail Israel’sviolations in Gaza over nine months between 7 October2023 and early July 2024. The organization interviewed 212people, including Palestinian victims and witnesses, local
authorities in Gaza, healthcare workers, conducted fieldwork
and analysed an extensive range of visual and digitalevidence, including satellite imagery. It also analysedstatements by senior Israeli government and militaryofficials, and official Israeli bodies. On multiple occasions,the organization shared its findings with the Israeliauthorities but had received no substantive response at the
time of publication.
Unprecedented scale and magnitude
Israel’s actions following Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7October 2023 have brought Gaza’s population to the brinkof collapse. Its brutal military offensive had killed more than42,000 Palestinians, including over 13,300 children, and
injured over 97,000 more, by 7 October 2024, many of themin direct or deliberately indiscriminate attacks, often wipingout entire multigenerational families. It has causedunprecedented destruction, which experts say occurred at alevel and speed not seen in any other conflict in the 21stcentury, levelling entire cities and destroying criticalinfrastructure, agricultural land and cultural and religious
sites. It thereby rendered large swathes of Gazauninhabitable.
Mohammed, who fled with his family from Gaza City toRafah in March 2024 and was displaced again in May 2024,described their struggle to survive in horrifying conditions:
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse… You have toprotect your children from insects, from the heat, and thereis no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing neverstops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Israel imposed conditions of life in Gaza that created adeadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger and diseases, andexposed Palestinians to a slow, calculated death. Israel alsosubjected hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza to
incommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment.
Viewed in isolation, some of the acts investigated by
Amnesty International constitute serious violations of
international humanitarian law or international human rights
law. But in looking at the broader picture of Israel’s militarycampaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts,genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion.
Intent to destroy
To establish Israel’s specific intent to physically destroyPalestinians in Gaza, as such, Amnesty Internationalanalysed the overall pattern of Israel’s conduct in Gaza,reviewed dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeligovernment and military officials, particularly those at thehighest levels, and considered the context of Israel’s system
of apartheid, its inhumane blockade of Gaza and theunlawful 57-year-old military occupation of the Palestinianterritory.
Before reaching its conclusion, Amnesty Internationalexamined Israel’s claims that its military lawfully targetedHamas and other armed groups throughout Gaza, and thatthe resulting unprecedented destruction and denial of aidwere the outcome of unlawful conduct by Hamas and otherarmed groups, such as locating fighters among the civilian
population or the diversion of aid. The organizationconcluded these claims are not credible. The presence ofHamas fighters near or within a densely populated areadoes not absolve Israel from its obligations to take allfeasible precautions to spare civilians and avoidindiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. Its research foundIsrael repeatedly failed to do so, committing multiple crimes
under international law for which there can be nojustification based on Hamas’s actions. AmnestyInternational also found no evidence that the diversion of aidcould explain Israel’s extreme and deliberate restrictions onlife-saving humanitarian aid.
In its analysis, the organization also considered alternativearguments such as ones that Israel was acting recklessly orthat it simply wanted to destroy Hamas and did not care if itneeded to destroy Palestinians in the process,
demonstrating a callous disregard for their lives rather thangenocidal intent.
Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this isgenocide. It must stop now.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
However, regardless of whether Israel sees the destruction
of Palestinians as instrumental to destroying Hamas or as
an acceptable by-product of this goal, this view ofPalestinians as disposable and not worthy of considerationis in itself evidence of genocidal intent.
Many of the unlawful acts documented by AmnestyInternational were preceded by officials urging theirimplementation. The organization reviewed 102 statementsthat were issued by Israeli government and military officialsand others between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024 and
dehumanized Palestinians, called for or justified genocidalacts or other crimes against them.
Of these, Amnesty International identified 22 statements
made by senior officials in charge of managing the offensivethat appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts, providingdirect evidence of genocidal intent. This language wasfrequently replicated, including by Israeli soldiers on theground, as evidenced by audiovisual content verified byAmnesty International showing soldiers making calls to
“erase” Gaza or to make it uninhabitable, and celebratingthe destruction of Palestinian homes, mosques, schools anduniversities.
Killing and causing serious bodily ormental harm
Amnesty International documented the genocidal acts ofkilling and causing serious mental and bodily harm to
Palestinians in Gaza by reviewing the results of
investigations it conducted into 15 air strikes between 7October 2023 and 20 April 2024 that killed at least 334civilians, including 141 children, and wounded hundreds ofothers. Amnesty International found no evidence that any ofthese strikes were directed at a military objective.
In one illustrative case, on 20 April 2024, an Israeli air strikedestroyed the Abdelal family house in the Al-Jneinahneighbourhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations of
Palestinians, including 16 children, while they were
sleeping.
While these represent just a fraction of Israel’s aerial
attacks, they are indicative of a broader pattern of repeateddirect attacks on civilians and civilian objects or deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks. The attacks were also conducted inways designed to cause a very high number of fatalities andinjuries among the civilian population.
Inflicting conditions of life calculatedto bring about physical destruction
The report documents how Israel deliberately inflictedconditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza intended to lead,over time, to their destruction. These conditions were
imposed through three simultaneous patterns thatrepeatedly compounded the effect of each other’sdevastating impacts: damage to and destruction of life-sustaining infrastructure and other objects indispensable tothe survival of the civilian population; the repeated use ofsweeping, arbitrary and confusing mass “evacuation” ordersto forcibly displace almost all of Gaza’s population; and the
denial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services,humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies intoand within Gaza.
After 7 October 2023, Israel imposed a total siege on Gazacutting off electricity, water and fuel. In the nine monthsreviewed for this report, Israel maintained a suffocating,unlawful blockade, tightly controlled access to energysources, failed to facilitate meaningful humanitarian accesswithin Gaza, and obstructed the import and delivery of life-
saving goods and humanitarian aid, particularly to areasnorth of Wadi Gaza. They thereby exacerbated an alreadyexisting humanitarian crisis. This, combined with theextensive damage to Gaza’s homes, hospitals, water andsanitation facilities and agricultural land, and mass forceddisplacement, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and led
to the spread of diseases at alarming rates. The impact was
especially harsh on young children and pregnant orbreastfeeding women, with anticipated long-termconsequences for their health.
The international community’s seismic,shameful failure for over a year to press
Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, by firstdelaying calls for a ceasefire and thencontinuing arms transfers, is and will remain
a stain on our collective conscience.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
Time and again, Israel had the chance to improve the
humanitarian situation in Gaza, yet for over a year it hasrepeatedly refused to take steps blatantly within its power todo so, such as opening sufficient access points to Gaza orlifting tight restrictions on what could enter the Strip or theirobstruction of aid deliveries within Gaza while the situationhas grown progressively worse.
Through its repeated “evacuation” orders Israel displacednearly 1.9 million Palestinians – 90% of Gaza’s population –into ever-shrinking, unsafe pockets of land under inhumane
conditions, some of them up to 10 times. These multiplewaves of forced displacement left many jobless and deeplytraumatized, especially since some 70% of Gaza’s residentsare refugees or descendants of refugees whose towns andvillages were ethnically cleansed by Israel during the 1948Nakba.
Despite conditions quickly becoming unfit for human life,Israeli authorities refused to consider measures that wouldhave protected displaced civilians and ensured their basic
needs were met, showing that their actions weredeliberate.
They refused to allow those displaced to return to theirhomes in northern Gaza or relocate temporarily to otherparts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or Israel,continuing to deny many Palestinians their right to return
under international law to areas they were displacedfrom in 1948. They did so knowing that there was nowheresafe for Palestinians in Gaza to flee to.
Accountability for genocide
“The international community’s seismic, shameful failure forover a year to press Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, byfirst delaying calls for a ceasefire and then continuing armstransfers, is and will remain a stain on our collectiveconscience,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless toend this genocide, which was enabled by decades of
impunity for Israel’s violations of international law. Statesneed to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismayand take strong and sustained international action, howeveruncomfortable a finding of genocide may be for some ofIsrael’s allies.
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants forPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former DefenseMinister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes againsthumanity issued last month offer real hope of long-overdue
justice for victims. States must demonstrate their respect forthe court’s decision and for universal international lawprinciples by arresting and handing over those wanted bythe ICC.
“We are calling on the Office of the Prosecutor of theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently consideradding genocide to the list of crimes it is investigating andfor all states to use every legal avenue to bring perpetratorsto justice. No one should be allowed to commit genocide
and remain unpunished.”
Amnesty International is also calling for all civilian hostages
to be released unconditionally and for Hamas and other
Palestinian armed groups responsible for the crimescommitted on 7 October to be held to account.
The organization is also calling for the UN Security Councilto impose targeted sanctions against Israeli and Hamasofficials most implicated in crimes under international law.
Background
On 7 October 2023 Hamas and other armedgroups indiscriminately fired rockets into southernIsrael and carried out deliberate mass killings andhostage-taking there, killing 1,200 people, including over800 civilians, and abducted 223 civilians and captured 27soldiers. The crimes perpetrated by Hamas and other armed
groups during this attack will be the focus of a forthcoming
Amnesty International report.
Since October 2023, Amnesty International has conducted in-
depth investigations into the multiple violations and crimes underinternational law committed by Israeli forces, including directattacks on civilians and civilian objects and deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks killing hundreds of civilians, as well asother unlawful attacks on and collective punishment of the civilianpopulation. The organization has called on the Office of the ICC
Prosecutor to expedite its investigation into the situation in the
State of Palestine and is campaigning for an immediate ceasefire.
For the Hebrew translation of this press release, click
here.
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disasternot only for Israel, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of a larger movement calledthe Muslim Brotherhood, which exists in various forms in many different countries, including the US andmost of Europe, and whose stated goal is Islamic world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about theGazans. In fact, they see dead and starving Gazans as beneficial to their cause, because it underminesinternational support for Israel, which they regard as one of the chief impediments to their goal of worlddomination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they're very sharp-eyed for psychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow Hamas to survivebecause of humanitarian concern for Gazan civilians would be seen as a critical psychological weaknesswhich could be further exploited, not only of Israel, but also of Western civilization itself which is pressuringIsrael in this regard. This would greatly embolden the MB worldwide and add to their confidence thatthey’re on the right path.
Best,Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing perspectives. For thefolks who think Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives onHamas? And what do you anticipate Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who is to blame).My fear is that a cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a goodlong term outcome for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who have studied theconflict in more detail think would most likely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,
Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out ofnine total candidates, who had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. Iattended the council meeting that night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, under UN armedsupervision, of course. Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea duringhe 1952 election campaign, achieved a cease fire, that holds to this day, despitelack of a formal peace treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>wrote:> > Henry,> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of the onus onIsrael and demands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space toregroup and rearm so they can continue their policy of killing Jews.> > Marty> > >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:>> >> Dear Marty>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on their general policy ofexcluding foreign policy issues However, like the attorney for the holocaustvictim who successfully asked the US Supreme for a narrow exception to thestatute of limitations, I argued to Council that there are certain issues that itbehooves as as Palo Alto citizens to take a stand: Gaza cease fire now, is one! Seecouncil video of several months ago for my full statement.>> >> Best,>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com>wrote:>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in on foreignpolicy issues, especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle East. Suchcontroversial resolutions change nothing in the Middle East and only promoteconflict at home. Unless of course the goal is precisely to create conflict at home.>>> >>> Martin Wasserman>>> >>> >>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:
>>>> >>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requires repetition , willinclude in writings this topic until achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>> >>>>> Ok!>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above and beyond. Aram,who was present, can assure you that I requested each council memberindividually and publicly to commit Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Videosupposed to be available at city website. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy under an innocuoustitle, a “collective Eichmann” is at work meticulously designing the “crime of thenew century” the systematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities, businesses, and housing, with the intent and objective of atomizingthe citizens of GAZA Palestine into a controllable mass. Attendant nutritiondeprivation is an overlay on institutional and organizational deprivation,conducted in Mediterranean sunlight and international, if not Israeli, full mediagaze. Rather than the inside pages of the New York Times where v Germany’s20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling, escalating genocide is on thefront pages of the newspaper of record where all news that fits is published,sometimes ironically overshadowed by food recipes in the Internet Edition. Theinternational community, led by Europe where the Holocaust was originated,collaborated, condoned and only sometimes resisted in the last century, mustmitigate its indelible moral stain by heading off the Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of the holocaust could have been givensuch leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the future HannahArendt to chronicle the ubiquity of evil?>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre for InnovationManagement Research>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice, 644Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Case number24CV450485 Superior Court of California County of California, DowntownCourthouse 191 Notth First Street, San Jose CA 95113 civil division>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>> >> >
From:Justin Zalkin
To:Aram James
Cc:Martin Wasserman; h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; GRP-City Council;city.council@menlopark.gov; cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; SeanAllen; EPA Today; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; board@pausd.org; Bill Newell;Lythcott-Haims, JulieSubject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 4:45:27 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments andclicking on links.
i
Hi Aram,
Many thanks for your comments. These are some really poignant reads. It seems clear Ms Wallach saw Israelis treat Palestiniansvery poorly! And regarding terrorism vs freedom fighting, I think I understand your point: the British saw George Washington as atraitor and many South Africans referred to Nelson Mandela as a terrorist.
Several questions come to mind from those reads! The most challenging for me is: If Hamas were to have the opportunity to governthe region, do you think they would behave more kindly towards the Jewish inhabitants than Ms. Wallach described the IsraeliState behaving towards the Palestinians? Do you think Hamas would govern with forgiveness and intent to nation-build as NelsonMandela did?
Most of the data points I have seen (e.g. Hamas' charter, history of bus bombings and rocket attacks, October 7 and subsequentcommentary) paint a more violent image of the organization.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 4, 2025, at 3:23 PM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Justin,
Last one for the day:
From my very brave anti-Zionist dear friend Donna Wallach.
Avram
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hey Justin,
Here is a bit more Information on the Genocide.
Avram
Amnesty Internationalinvestigation concludesIsrael is committing
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
genocide againstPalestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basisto conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing to
commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied GazaStrip, the organization said in a landmark new reportpublished today.
The report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’sGenocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how,during its military offensive launched in the wake of thedeadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October
2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction onPalestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with totalimpunity.
“Amnesty International’s report demonstrates that Israel has
carried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, withthe specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These actsinclude killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm anddeliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of lifecalculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month aftermonth, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhumangroup unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating its
intent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard,Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to theinternational community: this is genocide. It must stop now.
“States that continue to transfer arms to Israel at this time
must know they are violating their obligation to preventgenocide and are at risk of becoming complicit in genocide.All states with influence over Israel, particularly key arms
suppliers like the USA and Germany, but also other EUmember states, the UK and others, must act now to bringIsrael’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to an
immediate end.”
Over the past two months the crisis has grown particularlyacute in the North Gaza governorate, where a besiegedpopulation is facing starvation, displacement andannihilation amid relentless bombardment and suffocatingrestrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted incommitting genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm itwas inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. It continued to do so in
defiance of countless warnings about the catastrophichumanitarian situation and of legally binding decisions from theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to take
immediate measures to enable the provision of humanitarianassistance to civilians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Israel has repeatedly argued that its actions in Gaza arelawful and can be justified by its military goal to eradicate
Hamas. But genocidal intent can co-exist alongside militarygoals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent.”
Amnesty International examined Israel’s acts in Gazaclosely and in their totality, taking into account their
recurrence and simultaneous occurrence, and both theirimmediate impact and their cumulative and mutuallyreinforcing consequences. The organization considered thescale and severity of the casualties and destruction over
time. It also analysed public statements by officials, findingthat prohibited acts were often announced or called for inthe first place by high-level officials in charge of the warefforts.
“Taking into account the pre-existing context of dispossession,apartheid and unlawful military occupation in which these actshave been committed, we could find only one reasonableconclusion: Israel’s intent is the physical destruction of
Palestinians in Gaza, whether in parallel with, or as a means toachieve, its military goal of destroying Hamas,” said AgnèsCallamard.
“The atrocity crimes committed on 7 October 2023 by
Hamas and other armed groups against Israelis and victimsof other nationalities, including deliberate mass killings andhostage-taking, can never justify Israel’s genocide against
Palestinians in Gaza.”
International jurisprudence recognizes that the perpetratordoes not need to succeed in their attempts to destroy theprotected group, either in whole or in part, for genocide to
have been committed. The commission of prohibited actswith the intent to destroy the group, as such, is sufficient.
Amnesty International’s report examines in detail Israel’sviolations in Gaza over nine months between 7 October2023 and early July 2024. The organization interviewed 212people, including Palestinian victims and witnesses, localauthorities in Gaza, healthcare workers, conducted fieldworkand analysed an extensive range of visual and digital
evidence, including satellite imagery. It also analysedstatements by senior Israeli government and militaryofficials, and official Israeli bodies. On multiple occasions,
the organization shared its findings with the Israeliauthorities but had received no substantive response at thetime of publication.
Unprecedented scale and magnitude
Israel’s actions following Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7October 2023 have brought Gaza’s population to the brinkof collapse. Its brutal military offensive had killed more than
42,000 Palestinians, including over 13,300 children, andinjured over 97,000 more, by 7 October 2024, many of themin direct or deliberately indiscriminate attacks, often wiping
out entire multigenerational families. It has causedunprecedented destruction, which experts say occurred at alevel and speed not seen in any other conflict in the 21st
century, levelling entire cities and destroying criticalinfrastructure, agricultural land and cultural and religioussites. It thereby rendered large swathes of Gaza
uninhabitable.
Mohammed, who fled with his family from Gaza City toRafah in March 2024 and was displaced again in May 2024,described their struggle to survive in horrifying conditions:
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse… You have toprotect your children from insects, from the heat, and thereis no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing neverstops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Israel imposed conditions of life in Gaza that created adeadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger and diseases, and
exposed Palestinians to a slow, calculated death. Israel alsosubjected hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza to
incommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment.
Viewed in isolation, some of the acts investigated byAmnesty International constitute serious violations ofinternational humanitarian law or international human rightslaw. But in looking at the broader picture of Israel’s military
campaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts,genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion.
Intent to destroy
To establish Israel’s specific intent to physically destroyPalestinians in Gaza, as such, Amnesty Internationalanalysed the overall pattern of Israel’s conduct in Gaza,reviewed dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeligovernment and military officials, particularly those at thehighest levels, and considered the context of Israel’s systemof apartheid, its inhumane blockade of Gaza and the
unlawful 57-year-old military occupation of the Palestinianterritory.
Before reaching its conclusion, Amnesty Internationalexamined Israel’s claims that its military lawfully targeted
Hamas and other armed groups throughout Gaza, and thatthe resulting unprecedented destruction and denial of aidwere the outcome of unlawful conduct by Hamas and other
armed groups, such as locating fighters among the civilianpopulation or the diversion of aid. The organizationconcluded these claims are not credible. The presence of
Hamas fighters near or within a densely populated areadoes not absolve Israel from its obligations to take allfeasible precautions to spare civilians and avoidindiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. Its research found
Israel repeatedly failed to do so, committing multiple crimesunder international law for which there can be nojustification based on Hamas’s actions. Amnesty
International also found no evidence that the diversion of aidcould explain Israel’s extreme and deliberate restrictions onlife-saving humanitarian aid.
In its analysis, the organization also considered alternative
arguments such as ones that Israel was acting recklessly orthat it simply wanted to destroy Hamas and did not care if itneeded to destroy Palestinians in the process,
demonstrating a callous disregard for their lives rather thangenocidal intent.
Our damning findings must serve as a wake-
up call to the international community: this isgenocide. It must stop now. Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
However, regardless of whether Israel sees the destructionof Palestinians as instrumental to destroying Hamas or asan acceptable by-product of this goal, this view ofPalestinians as disposable and not worthy of considerationis in itself evidence of genocidal intent.
Many of the unlawful acts documented by AmnestyInternational were preceded by officials urging their
implementation. The organization reviewed 102 statementsthat were issued by Israeli government and military officialsand others between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024 and
dehumanized Palestinians, called for or justified genocidalacts or other crimes against them.
Of these, Amnesty International identified 22 statementsmade by senior officials in charge of managing the offensivethat appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts, providing
direct evidence of genocidal intent. This language wasfrequently replicated, including by Israeli soldiers on theground, as evidenced by audiovisual content verified byAmnesty International showing soldiers making calls to“erase” Gaza or to make it uninhabitable, and celebratingthe destruction of Palestinian homes, mosques, schools anduniversities.
Killing and causing serious bodily ormental harm
Amnesty International documented the genocidal acts ofkilling and causing serious mental and bodily harm to
Palestinians in Gaza by reviewing the results ofinvestigations it conducted into 15 air strikes between 7October 2023 and 20 April 2024 that killed at least 334
civilians, including 141 children, and wounded hundreds ofothers. Amnesty International found no evidence that any ofthese strikes were directed at a military objective.
In one illustrative case, on 20 April 2024, an Israeli air strike
destroyed the Abdelal family house in the Al-Jneinahneighbourhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations ofPalestinians, including 16 children, while they weresleeping.
While these represent just a fraction of Israel’s aerial
attacks, they are indicative of a broader pattern of repeateddirect attacks on civilians and civilian objects or deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks. The attacks were also conducted in
ways designed to cause a very high number of fatalities andinjuries among the civilian population.
Inflicting conditions of life calculatedto bring about physical destruction
The report documents how Israel deliberately inflictedconditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza intended to lead,over time, to their destruction. These conditions were
imposed through three simultaneous patterns thatrepeatedly compounded the effect of each other’sdevastating impacts: damage to and destruction of life-sustaining infrastructure and other objects indispensable tothe survival of the civilian population; the repeated use ofsweeping, arbitrary and confusing mass “evacuation” ordersto forcibly displace almost all of Gaza’s population; and the
denial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services,humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies intoand within Gaza.
After 7 October 2023, Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza
cutting off electricity, water and fuel. In the nine monthsreviewed for this report, Israel maintained a suffocating,unlawful blockade, tightly controlled access to energy
sources, failed to facilitate meaningful humanitarian accesswithin Gaza, and obstructed the import and delivery of life-saving goods and humanitarian aid, particularly to areas
north of Wadi Gaza. They thereby exacerbated an alreadyexisting humanitarian crisis. This, combined with theextensive damage to Gaza’s homes, hospitals, water andsanitation facilities and agricultural land, and mass forced
displacement, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and led
to the spread of diseases at alarming rates. The impact wasespecially harsh on young children and pregnant orbreastfeeding women, with anticipated long-termconsequences for their health.
The international community’s seismic,shameful failure for over a year to pressIsrael to end its atrocities in Gaza, by firstdelaying calls for a ceasefire and thencontinuing arms transfers, is and will remaina stain on our collective conscience.Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
Time and again, Israel had the chance to improve the
humanitarian situation in Gaza, yet for over a year it hasrepeatedly refused to take steps blatantly within its power todo so, such as opening sufficient access points to Gaza or
lifting tight restrictions on what could enter the Strip or theirobstruction of aid deliveries within Gaza while the situationhas grown progressively worse.
Through its repeated “evacuation” orders Israel displaced
nearly 1.9 million Palestinians – 90% of Gaza’s population –into ever-shrinking, unsafe pockets of land under inhumaneconditions, some of them up to 10 times. These multiplewaves of forced displacement left many jobless and deeplytraumatized, especially since some 70% of Gaza’s residentsare refugees or descendants of refugees whose towns andvillages were ethnically cleansed by Israel during the 1948
Nakba.
Despite conditions quickly becoming unfit for human life,Israeli authorities refused to consider measures that wouldhave protected displaced civilians and ensured their basic
needs were met, showing that their actions were deliberate.
They refused to allow those displaced to return to theirhomes in northern Gaza or relocate temporarily to otherparts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or Israel,
continuing to deny many Palestinians their right to returnunder international law to areas they were displacedfrom in 1948. They did so knowing that there was nowhere
safe for Palestinians in Gaza to flee to.
Accountability for genocide
“The international community’s seismic, shameful failure forover a year to press Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, by
first delaying calls for a ceasefire and then continuing armstransfers, is and will remain a stain on our collectiveconscience,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless to
end this genocide, which was enabled by decades ofimpunity for Israel’s violations of international law. Statesneed to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismay
and take strong and sustained international action, howeveruncomfortable a finding of genocide may be for some ofIsrael’s allies.
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants for
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former DefenseMinister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes againsthumanity issued last month offer real hope of long-overduejustice for victims. States must demonstrate their respect forthe court’s decision and for universal international law
principles by arresting and handing over those wanted bythe ICC.
“We are calling on the Office of the Prosecutor of theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently consider
adding genocide to the list of crimes it is investigating andfor all states to use every legal avenue to bring perpetratorsto justice. No one should be allowed to commit genocideand remain unpunished.”
Amnesty International is also calling for all civilian hostagesto be released unconditionally and for Hamas and otherPalestinian armed groups responsible for the crimescommitted on 7 October to be held to account.
The organization is also calling for the UN Security Council
to impose targeted sanctions against Israeli and Hamasofficials most implicated in crimes under international law.
Background
On 7 October 2023 Hamas and other armed groupsindiscriminately fired rockets into southern Israel and
carried out deliberate mass killings and hostage-takingthere, killing 1,200 people, including over 800 civilians, andabducted 223 civilians and captured 27 soldiers. The crimesperpetrated by Hamas and other armed groups during thisattack will be the focus of a forthcoming Amnesty
International report.
Since October 2023, Amnesty International has conducted in-depth investigations into the multiple violations and crimes underinternational law committed by Israeli forces, including direct
attacks on civilians and civilian objects and deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks killing hundreds of civilians, as well asother unlawful attacks on and collective punishment of the civilian
population. The organization has called on the Office of the ICCProsecutor to expedite its investigation into the situation in theState of Palestine and is campaigning for an immediate ceasefire.
For the Hebrew translation of this press release, click
here.
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disaster not onlyfor Israel, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of a larger movement called the MuslimBrotherhood, which exists in various forms in many different countries, including the US and most of Europe, andwhose stated goal is Islamic world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about the Gazans. In fact, they see deadand starving Gazans as beneficial to their cause, because it undermines international support for Israel, which theyregard as one of the chief impediments to their goal of world domination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they're very sharp-eyed forpsychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow Hamas to survive because ofhumanitarian concern for Gazan civilians would be seen as a critical psychological weakness which could befurther exploited, not only of Israel, but also of Western civilization itself which is pressuring Israel in this regard.This would greatly embolden the MB worldwide and add to their confidence that they’re on the right path.
Best,Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing perspectives. For the folkswho think Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives on Hamas? Andwhat do you anticipate Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fearis that a cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a good long termoutcome for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who have studied the conflict in more detailthink would most likely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine totalcandidates, who had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I attended thecouncil meeting that night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, under UN armedsupervision, of course. Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea during he1952 election campaign, achieved a cease fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of aformal peace treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:> > Henry,> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of the onus on Israel anddemands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space to regroup and rearm sothey can continue their policy of killing Jews.> > Marty> > >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>> >> Dear Marty>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on their general policy ofexcluding foreign policy issues However, like the attorney for the holocaust victim whosuccessfully asked the US Supreme for a narrow exception to the statute of limitations, Iargued to Council that there are certain issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens totake a stand: Gaza cease fire now, is one! See council video of several months ago formy full statement.>> >> Best,
>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in on foreign policyissues, especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle East. Such controversialresolutions change nothing in the Middle East and only promote conflict at home.Unless of course the goal is precisely to create conflict at home.>>> >>> Martin Wasserman>>> >>> >>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>> >>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requires repetition , will includein writings this topic until achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com>wrote:>>>>> >>>>> Ok!>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above and beyond. Aram, who waspresent, can assure you that I requested each council member individually and publiclyto commit Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at citywebsite. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com>wrote:>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com>wrote:>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy under an innocuous title,a “collective Eichmann” is at work meticulously designing the “crime of the newcentury” the systematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities,businesses, and housing, with the intent and objective of atomizing the citizens ofGAZA Palestine into a controllable mass. Attendant nutrition deprivation is an overlayon institutional and organizational deprivation, conducted in Mediterranean sunlight andinternational, if not Israeli, full media gaze. Rather than the inside pages of the NewYork Times where v Germany’s 20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling,escalating genocide is on the front pages of the newspaper of record where all news thatfits is published, sometimes ironically overshadowed by food recipes in the InternetEdition. The international community, led by Europe where the Holocaust wasoriginated, collaborated, condoned and only sometimes resisted in the last century,must mitigate its indelible moral stain by heading off the Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of the holocaust could have been given suchleeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the future Hannah Arendt tochronicle the ubiquity of evil?>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre for InnovationManagement Research
>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice, 644 MenloAvenue, Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Case number 24CV450485Superior Court of California County of California, Downtown Courthouse 191 NotthFirst Street, San Jose CA 95113 civil division>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>> >> >
From:CR Conroy
To:Council, City
Cc:Maggie Benning; Diane Walker
Subject:Proposed development at 4256 El Camino Real - to be discussed at the City Council Meeting on Monday, August11, 2025
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 3:52:38 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
i
Dear Palo Alto City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed development at 4256 ElCamino Real, Palo Alto. As an owner of a condominium unit at the Palo Alto
Redwoods, I believe this project will significantly affect the safety and overall quality
of life of the residents of the Palo Alto Redwoods and of the residents in the wider
community.
My concerns include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:
The development will increase traffic congestion on El Camino, creating unsafe
conditions for pedestrians and cyclists and additional safety concerns for
drivers.
The setbacks are inadequate for service vehicles creating increased risks
related to fire safety and emergency vehicle access.
The project as currently proposed is too dense for the size of the lot to be built on and
should be scaled back to minimize safety hazards and community impact.
I urge the City Council to:
Conduct a thorough traffic and environmental impact study.
Ensure the project design respects the privacy and character of the existing
neighborhood; ensure the project is “right-sized” for the size of the lot.
Provide sufficient infrastructure and parking accommodate new residents and
minimize spillover onto neighboring properties and nearby neighborhoods.
Maintain open communication with local residents and organizations during all
phases of planning and construction.
This message needs your attention
This is a personal email address.
This is their first email to your company.
Mark Safe Report Powered by Mimecast
While I support new housing in Palo Alto, I believe addressing these concerns will
lead to better outcomes for both current and future residents. I appreciate your
attention to this matter and encourage the City Council to take the points raised
above into careful consideration.
Thank you for your service and commitment to our community, and for your attention
to this matter.
Sincerely,
Christine Conroy
Owner Unit C225 at the Palo Alto Redwoods, 4250 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA
94306
From:Aram James
To:Martin Wasserman
Cc:Justin Zalkin; h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; GRP-City Council;city.council@menlopark.gov; cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; MichelleBigelow; Sean Allen; EPA Today; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org;board@pausd.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, JulieSubject:Re: Starvation by DesignDate:Monday, August 4, 2025 3:23:42 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments andclicking on links.
Justin,
Last one for the day:
From my very brave anti-Zionist dear friend Donna Wallach.
Avram
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hey Justin,
Here is a bit more Information on the Genocide.
Avram
Amnesty Internationalinvestigation concludesIsrael is committinggenocide againstPalestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basisto conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing tocommit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied GazaStrip, the organization said in a landmark new report
published today.
The report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’sGenocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how,during its military offensive launched in the wake of thedeadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction on
Palestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with total
impunity.
“Amnesty International’s report demonstrates that Israel hascarried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, withthe specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These actsinclude killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm and
deliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life
calculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month aftermonth, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhumangroup unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating itsintent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard,
Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the
international community: this is genocide. It must stop now.
“States that continue to transfer arms to Israel at this time
must know they are violating their obligation to preventgenocide and are at risk of becoming complicit in genocide.All states with influence over Israel, particularly key armssuppliers like the USA and Germany, but also other EU
member states, the UK and others, must act now to bring
Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to animmediate end.”
Over the past two months the crisis has grown particularlyacute in the North Gaza governorate, where a besiegedpopulation is facing starvation, displacement andannihilation amid relentless bombardment and suffocating
restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted incommitting genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm itwas inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. It continued to do so indefiance of countless warnings about the catastrophichumanitarian situation and of legally binding decisions from the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to takeimmediate measures to enable the provision of humanitarianassistance to civilians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Israel has repeatedly argued that its actions in Gaza arelawful and can be justified by its military goal to eradicateHamas. But genocidal intent can co-exist alongside military
goals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent.”
Amnesty International examined Israel’s acts in Gazaclosely and in their totality, taking into account theirrecurrence and simultaneous occurrence, and both theirimmediate impact and their cumulative and mutuallyreinforcing consequences. The organization considered the
scale and severity of the casualties and destruction overtime. It also analysed public statements by officials, findingthat prohibited acts were often announced or called for inthe first place by high-level officials in charge of the warefforts.
“Taking into account the pre-existing context of dispossession,
apartheid and unlawful military occupation in which these actshave been committed, we could find only one reasonableconclusion: Israel’s intent is the physical destruction ofPalestinians in Gaza, whether in parallel with, or as a means toachieve, its military goal of destroying Hamas,” said Agnès
Callamard.
“The atrocity crimes committed on 7 October 2023 byHamas and other armed groups against Israelis and victimsof other nationalities, including deliberate mass killings andhostage-taking, can never justify Israel’s genocide againstPalestinians in Gaza.”
International jurisprudence recognizes that the perpetrator
does not need to succeed in their attempts to destroy theprotected group, either in whole or in part, for genocide tohave been committed. The commission of prohibited actswith the intent to destroy the group, as such, is sufficient.
Amnesty International’s report examines in detail Israel’sviolations in Gaza over nine months between 7 October
2023 and early July 2024. The organization interviewed 212
people, including Palestinian victims and witnesses, local
authorities in Gaza, healthcare workers, conducted fieldworkand analysed an extensive range of visual and digitalevidence, including satellite imagery. It also analysedstatements by senior Israeli government and militaryofficials, and official Israeli bodies. On multiple occasions,
the organization shared its findings with the Israeli
authorities but had received no substantive response at thetime of publication.
Unprecedented scale and magnitude
Israel’s actions following Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7
October 2023 have brought Gaza’s population to the brink
of collapse. Its brutal military offensive had killed more than42,000 Palestinians, including over 13,300 children, andinjured over 97,000 more, by 7 October 2024, many of themin direct or deliberately indiscriminate attacks, often wiping
out entire multigenerational families. It has caused
unprecedented destruction, which experts say occurred at alevel and speed not seen in any other conflict in the 21stcentury, levelling entire cities and destroying criticalinfrastructure, agricultural land and cultural and religioussites. It thereby rendered large swathes of Gaza
uninhabitable.
Mohammed, who fled with his family from Gaza City toRafah in March 2024 and was displaced again in May 2024,described their struggle to survive in horrifying conditions:
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse… You have toprotect your children from insects, from the heat, and there
is no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing never
stops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Israel imposed conditions of life in Gaza that created adeadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger and diseases, andexposed Palestinians to a slow, calculated death. Israel alsosubjected hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza to
incommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment.
Viewed in isolation, some of the acts investigated by
Amnesty International constitute serious violations ofinternational humanitarian law or international human rightslaw. But in looking at the broader picture of Israel’s militarycampaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts,
genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion.
Intent to destroy
To establish Israel’s specific intent to physically destroyPalestinians in Gaza, as such, Amnesty Internationalanalysed the overall pattern of Israel’s conduct in Gaza,reviewed dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeli
government and military officials, particularly those at thehighest levels, and considered the context of Israel’s systemof apartheid, its inhumane blockade of Gaza and theunlawful 57-year-old military occupation of the Palestinianterritory.
Before reaching its conclusion, Amnesty International
examined Israel’s claims that its military lawfully targetedHamas and other armed groups throughout Gaza, and thatthe resulting unprecedented destruction and denial of aid
were the outcome of unlawful conduct by Hamas and otherarmed groups, such as locating fighters among the civilianpopulation or the diversion of aid. The organization
concluded these claims are not credible. The presence ofHamas fighters near or within a densely populated areadoes not absolve Israel from its obligations to take allfeasible precautions to spare civilians and avoidindiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. Its research found
Israel repeatedly failed to do so, committing multiple crimes
under international law for which there can be nojustification based on Hamas’s actions. AmnestyInternational also found no evidence that the diversion of aidcould explain Israel’s extreme and deliberate restrictions on
life-saving humanitarian aid.
In its analysis, the organization also considered alternative
arguments such as ones that Israel was acting recklessly orthat it simply wanted to destroy Hamas and did not care if itneeded to destroy Palestinians in the process,demonstrating a callous disregard for their lives rather than
genocidal intent.
Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this isgenocide. It must stop now.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
However, regardless of whether Israel sees the destruction
of Palestinians as instrumental to destroying Hamas or asan acceptable by-product of this goal, this view ofPalestinians as disposable and not worthy of considerationis in itself evidence of genocidal intent.
Many of the unlawful acts documented by Amnesty
International were preceded by officials urging their
implementation. The organization reviewed 102 statementsthat were issued by Israeli government and military officialsand others between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024 anddehumanized Palestinians, called for or justified genocidal
acts or other crimes against them.
Of these, Amnesty International identified 22 statements
made by senior officials in charge of managing the offensivethat appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts, providingdirect evidence of genocidal intent. This language wasfrequently replicated, including by Israeli soldiers on the
ground, as evidenced by audiovisual content verified by
Amnesty International showing soldiers making calls to“erase” Gaza or to make it uninhabitable, and celebratingthe destruction of Palestinian homes, mosques, schools anduniversities.
Killing and causing serious bodily ormental harm
Amnesty International documented the genocidal acts ofkilling and causing serious mental and bodily harm toPalestinians in Gaza by reviewing the results ofinvestigations it conducted into 15 air strikes between 7
October 2023 and 20 April 2024 that killed at least 334
civilians, including 141 children, and wounded hundreds ofothers. Amnesty International found no evidence that any of
these strikes were directed at a military objective.
In one illustrative case, on 20 April 2024, an Israeli air strikedestroyed the Abdelal family house in the Al-Jneinah
neighbourhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations of
Palestinians, including 16 children, while they weresleeping.
While these represent just a fraction of Israel’s aerialattacks, they are indicative of a broader pattern of repeateddirect attacks on civilians and civilian objects or deliberately
indiscriminate attacks. The attacks were also conducted in
ways designed to cause a very high number of fatalities andinjuries among the civilian population.
Inflicting conditions of life calculatedto bring about physical destruction
The report documents how Israel deliberately inflicted
conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza intended to lead,over time, to their destruction. These conditions wereimposed through three simultaneous patterns thatrepeatedly compounded the effect of each other’sdevastating impacts: damage to and destruction of life-
sustaining infrastructure and other objects indispensable tothe survival of the civilian population; the repeated use ofsweeping, arbitrary and confusing mass “evacuation” ordersto forcibly displace almost all of Gaza’s population; and thedenial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services,
humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies into
and within Gaza.
After 7 October 2023, Israel imposed a total siege on Gazacutting off electricity, water and fuel. In the nine monthsreviewed for this report, Israel maintained a suffocating,unlawful blockade, tightly controlled access to energy
sources, failed to facilitate meaningful humanitarian access
within Gaza, and obstructed the import and delivery of life-saving goods and humanitarian aid, particularly to areasnorth of Wadi Gaza. They thereby exacerbated an alreadyexisting humanitarian crisis. This, combined with the
extensive damage to Gaza’s homes, hospitals, water and
sanitation facilities and agricultural land, and mass forceddisplacement, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and ledto the spread of diseases at alarming rates. The impact wasespecially harsh on young children and pregnant orbreastfeeding women, with anticipated long-term
consequences for their health.
The international community’s seismic,shameful failure for over a year to press
Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, by firstdelaying calls for a ceasefire and thencontinuing arms transfers, is and will remaina stain on our collective conscience.Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
Time and again, Israel had the chance to improve thehumanitarian situation in Gaza, yet for over a year it has
repeatedly refused to take steps blatantly within its power todo so, such as opening sufficient access points to Gaza orlifting tight restrictions on what could enter the Strip or their
obstruction of aid deliveries within Gaza while the situationhas grown progressively worse.
Through its repeated “evacuation” orders Israel displaced
nearly 1.9 million Palestinians – 90% of Gaza’s population –
into ever-shrinking, unsafe pockets of land under inhumaneconditions, some of them up to 10 times. These multiplewaves of forced displacement left many jobless and deeplytraumatized, especially since some 70% of Gaza’s residentsare refugees or descendants of refugees whose towns and
villages were ethnically cleansed by Israel during the 1948Nakba.
Despite conditions quickly becoming unfit for human life,Israeli authorities refused to consider measures that wouldhave protected displaced civilians and ensured their basicneeds were met, showing that their actions were
deliberate.
They refused to allow those displaced to return to theirhomes in northern Gaza or relocate temporarily to otherparts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or Israel,continuing to deny many Palestinians their right to returnunder international law to areas they were displacedfrom in 1948. They did so knowing that there was nowhere
safe for Palestinians in Gaza to flee to.
Accountability for genocide
“The international community’s seismic, shameful failure forover a year to press Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, by
first delaying calls for a ceasefire and then continuing arms
transfers, is and will remain a stain on our collectiveconscience,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless toend this genocide, which was enabled by decades ofimpunity for Israel’s violations of international law. States
need to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismay
and take strong and sustained international action, howeveruncomfortable a finding of genocide may be for some ofIsrael’s allies.
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants forPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense
Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against
humanity issued last month offer real hope of long-overduejustice for victims. States must demonstrate their respect forthe court’s decision and for universal international lawprinciples by arresting and handing over those wanted by
the ICC.
“We are calling on the Office of the Prosecutor of the
International Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently consideradding genocide to the list of crimes it is investigating andfor all states to use every legal avenue to bring perpetratorsto justice. No one should be allowed to commit genocide
and remain unpunished.”
Amnesty International is also calling for all civilian hostages
to be released unconditionally and for Hamas and otherPalestinian armed groups responsible for the crimescommitted on 7 October to be held to account.
The organization is also calling for the UN Security Councilto impose targeted sanctions against Israeli and Hamasofficials most implicated in crimes under international law.
Background
On 7 October 2023 Hamas and other armedgroups indiscriminately fired rockets into southernIsrael and carried out deliberate mass killings andhostage-taking there, killing 1,200 people, including over
800 civilians, and abducted 223 civilians and captured 27soldiers. The crimes perpetrated by Hamas and other armedgroups during this attack will be the focus of a forthcomingAmnesty International report.
Since October 2023, Amnesty International has conducted in-depth investigations into the multiple violations and crimes under
international law committed by Israeli forces, including directattacks on civilians and civilian objects and deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks killing hundreds of civilians, as well asother unlawful attacks on and collective punishment of the civilianpopulation. The organization has called on the Office of the ICC
Prosecutor to expedite its investigation into the situation in the
State of Palestine and is campaigning for an immediate ceasefire.
For the Hebrew translation of this press release, click
here.
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disaster not only forIsrael, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of a larger movement called the Muslim Brotherhood,which exists in various forms in many different countries, including the US and most of Europe, and whose stated goal isIslamic world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about the Gazans. In fact, they see dead and starving Gazans asbeneficial to their cause, because it undermines international support for Israel, which they regard as one of the chiefimpediments to their goal of world domination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they're very sharp-eyed forpsychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow Hamas to survive because of humanitarianconcern for Gazan civilians would be seen as a critical psychological weakness which could be further exploited, notonly of Israel, but also of Western civilization itself which is pressuring Israel in this regard. This would greatlyembolden the MB worldwide and add to their confidence that they’re on the right path.
Best,Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing perspectives. For the folks whothink Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do youanticipate Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is thata cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a good long term outcome forGazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who have studied the conflict in more detail think would mostlikely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine totalcandidates, who had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I attended the councilmeeting that night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, under UN armed supervision, ofcourse. Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea during he 1952 election campaign,achieved a cease fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of a formal peace treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:> > Henry,> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of the onus on Israel anddemands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space to regroup and rearm so theycan continue their policy of killing Jews.> > Marty> > >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>> >> Dear Marty>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on their general policy of excludingforeign policy issues However, like the attorney for the holocaust victim who successfullyasked the US Supreme for a narrow exception to the statute of limitations, I argued to Councilthat there are certain issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens to take a stand: Gaza ceasefire now, is one! See council video of several months ago for my full statement.>> >> Best,>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in on foreign policy issues,especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle East. Such controversial resolutions changenothing in the Middle East and only promote conflict at home. Unless of course the goal isprecisely to create conflict at home.>>> >>> Martin Wasserman>>>
>>> >>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>> >>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requires repetition , will include inwritings this topic until achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>> >>>>> Ok!>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above and beyond. Aram, who waspresent, can assure you that I requested each council member individually and publicly tocommit Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at city website. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy under an innocuous title, a“collective Eichmann” is at work meticulously designing the “crime of the new century” thesystematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities, businesses, andhousing, with the intent and objective of atomizing the citizens of GAZA Palestine into acontrollable mass. Attendant nutrition deprivation is an overlay on institutional andorganizational deprivation, conducted in Mediterranean sunlight and international, if notIsraeli, full media gaze. Rather than the inside pages of the New York Times where vGermany’s 20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling, escalating genocide is on thefront pages of the newspaper of record where all news that fits is published, sometimesironically overshadowed by food recipes in the Internet Edition. The international community,led by Europe where the Holocaust was originated, collaborated, condoned and onlysometimes resisted in the last century, must mitigate its indelible moral stain by heading offthe Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of the holocaustcould have been given such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the futureHannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquity of evil?>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation ManagementResearch>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice, 644 Menlo Avenue,Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Case number 24CV450485 SuperiorCourt of California County of California, Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First Street, SanJose CA 95113 civil division>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>> >> >
From:Aram James
To:Veenker, Vicki
Cc:GRP-City Council; Council, City; Josh Becker; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Jessica Speiser,
Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; Zelkha,
Mila; Lori Meyers; Donna Wallach; Shikada, Ed; Liz Kniss; Gardener, Liz; james pitkin; Jay Boyarsky; Jeff Rosen
Subject:Moderate Democrats now changing tune on Israel over starvation of Gaza: ‘Moral obligation’
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 3:16:37 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Moderate Democrats now changing tune on Israel over starvation of Gaza: ‘Moral obligation’Source: The Independent https://share.newsbreak.com/edjig96b?s=i0
From:Aram James
To:Justin Zalkin
Cc:h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; GRP-City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov;cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; Sean Allen; EPA Today;Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org; board@pausd.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie; assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov; Josh Becker; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; rabrica@cityofepa.org; Perron, Zachary;citycouncil@nenlopark.org; Foley, Michael; Diana Diamond; citycouncil@mountainview.gov; Tom DuBois; Holman, Karen (external); Lori Meyers; ShereeRoth; editor@paweekly.com; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23; Jeff Rosen; Jay Boyarsky; MartyWasserman; Friends of Cubberley; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org; Guilherme Ary Plonski; Yolanda Conaway
Subject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 3:00:22 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.
Hi Justin,
Another particularly extremely thoughtful piece on the issue.
Avram
Famine Expert: Israel's Starvation of Gaza Most 'Minutely Designed and Controlled' Since WWII |
Common Dreamshttps://www.commondreams.org/news/famine-expert-israel-s-starvation-of-gaza-most-
minutely-designed-and-controlled-since-wwii
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:58 PM Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:Hey Justin,
Here is a bit more Information on the Genocide.
Avram
Amnesty Internationalinvestigation concludesIsrael is committinggenocide againstPalestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basis
to conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing tocommit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied GazaStrip, the organization said in a landmark new reportpublished today.
The report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s
Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how,
during its military offensive launched in the wake of thedeadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction onPalestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with totalimpunity.
“Amnesty International’s report demonstrates that Israel has
carried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, withthe specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These actsinclude killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm anddeliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of lifecalculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month after
month, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhuman
group unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating itsintent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard,Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the
international community: this is genocide. It must stop now.
“States that continue to transfer arms to Israel at this timemust know they are violating their obligation to preventgenocide and are at risk of becoming complicit in genocide.All states with influence over Israel, particularly key arms
suppliers like the USA and Germany, but also other EU
member states, the UK and others, must act now to bringIsrael’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to animmediate end.”
Over the past two months the crisis has grown particularlyacute in the North Gaza governorate, where a besieged
population is facing starvation, displacement and
annihilation amid relentless bombardment and suffocatingrestrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted incommitting genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm itwas inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. It continued to do so in
defiance of countless warnings about the catastrophic
humanitarian situation and of legally binding decisions from theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to takeimmediate measures to enable the provision of humanitarianassistance to civilians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Israel has repeatedly argued that its actions in Gaza are
lawful and can be justified by its military goal to eradicate
Hamas. But genocidal intent can co-exist alongside militarygoals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent.”
Amnesty International examined Israel’s acts in Gazaclosely and in their totality, taking into account theirrecurrence and simultaneous occurrence, and both their
immediate impact and their cumulative and mutually
reinforcing consequences. The organization considered thescale and severity of the casualties and destruction overtime. It also analysed public statements by officials, findingthat prohibited acts were often announced or called for in
the first place by high-level officials in charge of the war
efforts.
“Taking into account the pre-existing context of dispossession,apartheid and unlawful military occupation in which these actshave been committed, we could find only one reasonableconclusion: Israel’s intent is the physical destruction of
Palestinians in Gaza, whether in parallel with, or as a means to
achieve, its military goal of destroying Hamas,” said AgnèsCallamard.
“The atrocity crimes committed on 7 October 2023 byHamas and other armed groups against Israelis and victimsof other nationalities, including deliberate mass killings and
hostage-taking, can never justify Israel’s genocide against
Palestinians in Gaza.”
International jurisprudence recognizes that the perpetratordoes not need to succeed in their attempts to destroy theprotected group, either in whole or in part, for genocide to
have been committed. The commission of prohibited actswith the intent to destroy the group, as such, is sufficient.
Amnesty International’s report examines in detail Israel’s
violations in Gaza over nine months between 7 October
2023 and early July 2024. The organization interviewed 212people, including Palestinian victims and witnesses, localauthorities in Gaza, healthcare workers, conducted fieldworkand analysed an extensive range of visual and digitalevidence, including satellite imagery. It also analysed
statements by senior Israeli government and militaryofficials, and official Israeli bodies. On multiple occasions,the organization shared its findings with the Israeliauthorities but had received no substantive response at thetime of publication.
Unprecedented scale and magnitude
Israel’s actions following Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7October 2023 have brought Gaza’s population to the brinkof collapse. Its brutal military offensive had killed more than42,000 Palestinians, including over 13,300 children, and
injured over 97,000 more, by 7 October 2024, many of them
in direct or deliberately indiscriminate attacks, often wipingout entire multigenerational families. It has causedunprecedented destruction, which experts say occurred at alevel and speed not seen in any other conflict in the 21st
century, levelling entire cities and destroying critical
infrastructure, agricultural land and cultural and religioussites. It thereby rendered large swathes of Gazauninhabitable.
Mohammed, who fled with his family from Gaza City toRafah in March 2024 and was displaced again in May 2024,
described their struggle to survive in horrifying conditions:
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse… You have to
protect your children from insects, from the heat, and thereis no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing neverstops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Israel imposed conditions of life in Gaza that created adeadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger and diseases, and
exposed Palestinians to a slow, calculated death. Israel also
subjected hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza toincommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment.
Viewed in isolation, some of the acts investigated byAmnesty International constitute serious violations ofinternational humanitarian law or international human rights
law. But in looking at the broader picture of Israel’s military
campaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts,genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion.
Intent to destroy
To establish Israel’s specific intent to physically destroy
Palestinians in Gaza, as such, Amnesty International
analysed the overall pattern of Israel’s conduct in Gaza,reviewed dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeligovernment and military officials, particularly those at thehighest levels, and considered the context of Israel’s systemof apartheid, its inhumane blockade of Gaza and the
unlawful 57-year-old military occupation of the Palestinianterritory.
Before reaching its conclusion, Amnesty International
examined Israel’s claims that its military lawfully targeted
Hamas and other armed groups throughout Gaza, and thatthe resulting unprecedented destruction and denial of aidwere the outcome of unlawful conduct by Hamas and otherarmed groups, such as locating fighters among the civilianpopulation or the diversion of aid. The organization
concluded these claims are not credible. The presence ofHamas fighters near or within a densely populated areadoes not absolve Israel from its obligations to take allfeasible precautions to spare civilians and avoidindiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. Its research found
Israel repeatedly failed to do so, committing multiple crimes
under international law for which there can be nojustification based on Hamas’s actions. AmnestyInternational also found no evidence that the diversion of aidcould explain Israel’s extreme and deliberate restrictions on
life-saving humanitarian aid.
In its analysis, the organization also considered alternative
arguments such as ones that Israel was acting recklessly orthat it simply wanted to destroy Hamas and did not care if itneeded to destroy Palestinians in the process,demonstrating a callous disregard for their lives rather than
genocidal intent.
Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this isgenocide. It must stop now.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
However, regardless of whether Israel sees the destruction
of Palestinians as instrumental to destroying Hamas or asan acceptable by-product of this goal, this view ofPalestinians as disposable and not worthy of considerationis in itself evidence of genocidal intent.
Many of the unlawful acts documented by Amnesty
International were preceded by officials urging their
implementation. The organization reviewed 102 statementsthat were issued by Israeli government and military officialsand others between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024 anddehumanized Palestinians, called for or justified genocidal
acts or other crimes against them.
Of these, Amnesty International identified 22 statements
made by senior officials in charge of managing the offensivethat appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts, providingdirect evidence of genocidal intent. This language wasfrequently replicated, including by Israeli soldiers on the
ground, as evidenced by audiovisual content verified by
Amnesty International showing soldiers making calls to“erase” Gaza or to make it uninhabitable, and celebratingthe destruction of Palestinian homes, mosques, schools anduniversities.
Killing and causing serious bodily ormental harm
Amnesty International documented the genocidal acts ofkilling and causing serious mental and bodily harm toPalestinians in Gaza by reviewing the results of
investigations it conducted into 15 air strikes between 7October 2023 and 20 April 2024 that killed at least 334civilians, including 141 children, and wounded hundreds ofothers. Amnesty International found no evidence that any ofthese strikes were directed at a military objective.
In one illustrative case, on 20 April 2024, an Israeli air strike
destroyed the Abdelal family house in the Al-Jneinahneighbourhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations ofPalestinians, including 16 children, while they weresleeping.
While these represent just a fraction of Israel’s aerialattacks, they are indicative of a broader pattern of repeated
direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects or deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks. The attacks were also conducted inways designed to cause a very high number of fatalities andinjuries among the civilian population.
Inflicting conditions of life calculatedto bring about physical destruction
The report documents how Israel deliberately inflictedconditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza intended to lead,over time, to their destruction. These conditions wereimposed through three simultaneous patterns that
repeatedly compounded the effect of each other’s
devastating impacts: damage to and destruction of life-sustaining infrastructure and other objects indispensable tothe survival of the civilian population; the repeated use ofsweeping, arbitrary and confusing mass “evacuation” orders
to forcibly displace almost all of Gaza’s population; and the
denial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services,humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies intoand within Gaza.
After 7 October 2023, Israel imposed a total siege on Gazacutting off electricity, water and fuel. In the nine months
reviewed for this report, Israel maintained a suffocating,
unlawful blockade, tightly controlled access to energysources, failed to facilitate meaningful humanitarian accesswithin Gaza, and obstructed the import and delivery of life-saving goods and humanitarian aid, particularly to areasnorth of Wadi Gaza. They thereby exacerbated an already
existing humanitarian crisis. This, combined with the
extensive damage to Gaza’s homes, hospitals, water andsanitation facilities and agricultural land, and mass forceddisplacement, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and ledto the spread of diseases at alarming rates. The impact was
especially harsh on young children and pregnant or
breastfeeding women, with anticipated long-termconsequences for their health.
The international community’s seismic,
shameful failure for over a year to pressIsrael to end its atrocities in Gaza, by firstdelaying calls for a ceasefire and thencontinuing arms transfers, is and will remaina stain on our collective conscience.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
Time and again, Israel had the chance to improve thehumanitarian situation in Gaza, yet for over a year it has
repeatedly refused to take steps blatantly within its power to
do so, such as opening sufficient access points to Gaza orlifting tight restrictions on what could enter the Strip or theirobstruction of aid deliveries within Gaza while the situationhas grown progressively worse.
Through its repeated “evacuation” orders Israel displaced
nearly 1.9 million Palestinians – 90% of Gaza’s population –
into ever-shrinking, unsafe pockets of land under inhumaneconditions, some of them up to 10 times. These multiplewaves of forced displacement left many jobless and deeplytraumatized, especially since some 70% of Gaza’s residentsare refugees or descendants of refugees whose towns and
villages were ethnically cleansed by Israel during the 1948Nakba.
Despite conditions quickly becoming unfit for human life,Israeli authorities refused to consider measures that wouldhave protected displaced civilians and ensured their basicneeds were met, showing that their actions were
deliberate.
They refused to allow those displaced to return to theirhomes in northern Gaza or relocate temporarily to otherparts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or Israel,continuing to deny many Palestinians their right to returnunder international law to areas they were displacedfrom in 1948. They did so knowing that there was nowhere
safe for Palestinians in Gaza to flee to.
Accountability for genocide
“The international community’s seismic, shameful failure forover a year to press Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, by
first delaying calls for a ceasefire and then continuing arms
transfers, is and will remain a stain on our collectiveconscience,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless toend this genocide, which was enabled by decades ofimpunity for Israel’s violations of international law. States
need to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismay
and take strong and sustained international action, howeveruncomfortable a finding of genocide may be for some ofIsrael’s allies.
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants forPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense
Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against
humanity issued last month offer real hope of long-overduejustice for victims. States must demonstrate their respect forthe court’s decision and for universal international lawprinciples by arresting and handing over those wanted by
the ICC.
“We are calling on the Office of the Prosecutor of the
International Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently consideradding genocide to the list of crimes it is investigating andfor all states to use every legal avenue to bring perpetratorsto justice. No one should be allowed to commit genocide
and remain unpunished.”
Amnesty International is also calling for all civilian hostagesto be released unconditionally and for Hamas and other
Palestinian armed groups responsible for the crimes
committed on 7 October to be held to account.
The organization is also calling for the UN Security Councilto impose targeted sanctions against Israeli and Hamasofficials most implicated in crimes under international law.
Background
On 7 October 2023 Hamas and other armed
groups indiscriminately fired rockets into southernIsrael and carried out deliberate mass killings and
hostage-taking there, killing 1,200 people, including over800 civilians, and abducted 223 civilians and captured 27
soldiers. The crimes perpetrated by Hamas and other armed
groups during this attack will be the focus of a forthcomingAmnesty International report.
Since October 2023, Amnesty International has conducted in-depth investigations into the multiple violations and crimes underinternational law committed by Israeli forces, including direct
attacks on civilians and civilian objects and deliberately
indiscriminate attacks killing hundreds of civilians, as well asother unlawful attacks on and collective punishment of the civilianpopulation. The organization has called on the Office of the ICCProsecutor to expedite its investigation into the situation in theState of Palestine and is campaigning for an immediate ceasefire.
For the Hebrew translation of this press release, clickhere.
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disaster not only forIsrael, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of a larger movement called the Muslim Brotherhood,which exists in various forms in many different countries, including the US and most of Europe, and whose stated goal isIslamic world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about the Gazans. In fact, they see dead and starving Gazans asbeneficial to their cause, because it undermines international support for Israel, which they regard as one of the chiefimpediments to their goal of world domination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they're very sharp-eyed forpsychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow Hamas to survive because of humanitarianconcern for Gazan civilians would be seen as a critical psychological weakness which could be further exploited, notonly of Israel, but also of Western civilization itself which is pressuring Israel in this regard. This would greatlyembolden the MB worldwide and add to their confidence that they’re on the right path.
Best,Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing perspectives. For the folks whothink Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do youanticipate Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is thata cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a good long term outcome forGazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who have studied the conflict in more detail think would mostlikely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine totalcandidates, who had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I attended the councilmeeting that night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, under UN armed supervision, ofcourse. Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea during he 1952 election campaign,achieved a cease fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of a formal peace treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:> > Henry,> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of the onus on Israel anddemands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space to regroup and rearm so theycan continue their policy of killing Jews.> > Marty> > >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>> >> Dear Marty>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on their general policy of excludingforeign policy issues However, like the attorney for the holocaust victim who successfullyasked the US Supreme for a narrow exception to the statute of limitations, I argued to Councilthat there are certain issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens to take a stand: Gaza ceasefire now, is one! See council video of several months ago for my full statement.>> >> Best,>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in on foreign policy issues,
especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle East. Such controversial resolutions changenothing in the Middle East and only promote conflict at home. Unless of course the goal isprecisely to create conflict at home.>>> >>> Martin Wasserman>>> >>> >>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>> >>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requires repetition , will include inwritings this topic until achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>> >>>>> Ok!>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above and beyond. Aram, who waspresent, can assure you that I requested each council member individually and publicly tocommit Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at city website. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy under an innocuous title, a“collective Eichmann” is at work meticulously designing the “crime of the new century” thesystematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities, businesses, andhousing, with the intent and objective of atomizing the citizens of GAZA Palestine into acontrollable mass. Attendant nutrition deprivation is an overlay on institutional andorganizational deprivation, conducted in Mediterranean sunlight and international, if notIsraeli, full media gaze. Rather than the inside pages of the New York Times where vGermany’s 20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling, escalating genocide is on thefront pages of the newspaper of record where all news that fits is published, sometimesironically overshadowed by food recipes in the Internet Edition. The international community,led by Europe where the Holocaust was originated, collaborated, condoned and onlysometimes resisted in the last century, must mitigate its indelible moral stain by heading offthe Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of the holocaustcould have been given such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the futureHannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquity of evil?>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation ManagementResearch>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice, 644 Menlo Avenue,Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Case number 24CV450485 SuperiorCourt of California County of California, Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First Street, SanJose CA 95113 civil division
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>> >> >
From:Aram James
To:Martin Wasserman
Cc:Justin Zalkin; h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; GRP-City Council;city.council@menlopark.gov; cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; MichelleBigelow; Sean Allen; EPA Today; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org;board@pausd.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Subject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 12:58:28 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.
Hey Justin,
Here is a bit more Information on the Genocide.
Avram
Amnesty Internationalinvestigation concludesIsrael is committinggenocide againstPalestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basis
to conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing to
commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza
Strip, the organization said in a landmark new report
published today.
The report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s
Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how,
during its military offensive launched in the wake of the
deadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October
2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction on
Palestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with total
impunity.
“Amnesty International’s report demonstrates that Israel hascarried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, withthe specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These actsinclude killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm anddeliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of lifecalculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month aftermonth, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhumangroup unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating itsintent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard,Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to theinternational community: this is genocide. It must stop now.
“States that continue to transfer arms to Israel at this timemust know they are violating their obligation to preventgenocide and are at risk of becoming complicit in genocide.All states with influence over Israel, particularly key armssuppliers like the USA and Germany, but also other EUmember states, the UK and others, must act now to bringIsrael’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to animmediate end.”
Over the past two months the crisis has grown particularly
acute in the North Gaza governorate, where a besieged
population is facing starvation, displacement and
annihilation amid relentless bombardment and suffocating
restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted incommitting genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm itwas inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. It continued to do so indefiance of countless warnings about the catastrophichumanitarian situation and of legally binding decisions from theInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to takeimmediate measures to enable the provision of humanitarianassistance to civilians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Israel has repeatedly argued that its actions in Gaza arelawful and can be justified by its military goal to eradicateHamas. But genocidal intent can co-exist alongside militarygoals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent.”
Amnesty International examined Israel’s acts in Gazaclosely and in their totality, taking into account theirrecurrence and simultaneous occurrence, and both theirimmediate impact and their cumulative and mutuallyreinforcing consequences. The organization considered thescale and severity of the casualties and destruction overtime. It also analysed public statements by officials, findingthat prohibited acts were often announced or called for inthe first place by high-level officials in charge of the warefforts.
“Taking into account the pre-existing context of dispossession,
apartheid and unlawful military occupation in which these acts
have been committed, we could find only one reasonable
conclusion: Israel’s intent is the physical destruction of
Palestinians in Gaza, whether in parallel with, or as a means to
achieve, its military goal of destroying Hamas,” said Agnès
Callamard.
“The atrocity crimes committed on 7 October 2023 by
Hamas and other armed groups against Israelis and victims
of other nationalities, including deliberate mass killings and
hostage-taking, can never justify Israel’s genocide against
Palestinians in Gaza.”
International jurisprudence recognizes that the perpetratordoes not need to succeed in their attempts to destroy theprotected group, either in whole or in part, for genocide tohave been committed. The commission of prohibited actswith the intent to destroy the group, as such, is sufficient.
Amnesty International’s report examines in detail Israel’sviolations in Gaza over nine months between 7 October2023 and early July 2024. The organization interviewed 212people, including Palestinian victims and witnesses, localauthorities in Gaza, healthcare workers, conducted fieldworkand analysed an extensive range of visual and digitalevidence, including satellite imagery. It also analysedstatements by senior Israeli government and militaryofficials, and official Israeli bodies. On multiple occasions,the organization shared its findings with the Israeliauthorities but had received no substantive response at the
time of publication.
Unprecedented scale and magnitude
Israel’s actions following Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7October 2023 have brought Gaza’s population to the brinkof collapse. Its brutal military offensive had killed more than42,000 Palestinians, including over 13,300 children, andinjured over 97,000 more, by 7 October 2024, many of themin direct or deliberately indiscriminate attacks, often wipingout entire multigenerational families. It has causedunprecedented destruction, which experts say occurred at alevel and speed not seen in any other conflict in the 21stcentury, levelling entire cities and destroying criticalinfrastructure, agricultural land and cultural and religioussites. It thereby rendered large swathes of Gazauninhabitable.
Mohammed, who fled with his family from Gaza City to
Rafah in March 2024 and was displaced again in May 2024,
described their struggle to survive in horrifying conditions:
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse… You have to
protect your children from insects, from the heat, and there
is no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing never
stops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Israel imposed conditions of life in Gaza that created adeadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger and diseases, andexposed Palestinians to a slow, calculated death. Israel alsosubjected hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza toincommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment.
Viewed in isolation, some of the acts investigated byAmnesty International constitute serious violations ofinternational humanitarian law or international human rightslaw. But in looking at the broader picture of Israel’s militarycampaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts,genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion.
Intent to destroy
To establish Israel’s specific intent to physically destroy
Palestinians in Gaza, as such, Amnesty Internationalanalysed the overall pattern of Israel’s conduct in Gaza,reviewed dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeligovernment and military officials, particularly those at thehighest levels, and considered the context of Israel’s systemof apartheid, its inhumane blockade of Gaza and theunlawful 57-year-old military occupation of the Palestinianterritory.
Before reaching its conclusion, Amnesty International
examined Israel’s claims that its military lawfully targeted
Hamas and other armed groups throughout Gaza, and that
the resulting unprecedented destruction and denial of aid
were the outcome of unlawful conduct by Hamas and other
armed groups, such as locating fighters among the civilian
population or the diversion of aid. The organization
concluded these claims are not credible. The presence of
Hamas fighters near or within a densely populated area
does not absolve Israel from its obligations to take all
feasible precautions to spare civilians and avoidindiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. Its research foundIsrael repeatedly failed to do so, committing multiple crimesunder international law for which there can be nojustification based on Hamas’s actions. AmnestyInternational also found no evidence that the diversion of aidcould explain Israel’s extreme and deliberate restrictions onlife-saving humanitarian aid.
In its analysis, the organization also considered alternativearguments such as ones that Israel was acting recklessly orthat it simply wanted to destroy Hamas and did not care if itneeded to destroy Palestinians in the process,demonstrating a callous disregard for their lives rather thangenocidal intent.
Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this isgenocide. It must stop now. Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
However, regardless of whether Israel sees the destruction
of Palestinians as instrumental to destroying Hamas or as
an acceptable by-product of this goal, this view of
Palestinians as disposable and not worthy of consideration
is in itself evidence of genocidal intent.
Many of the unlawful acts documented by Amnesty
International were preceded by officials urging their
implementation. The organization reviewed 102 statements
that were issued by Israeli government and military officials
and others between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024 and
dehumanized Palestinians, called for or justified genocidal
acts or other crimes against them.
Of these, Amnesty International identified 22 statementsmade by senior officials in charge of managing the offensivethat appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts, providingdirect evidence of genocidal intent. This language wasfrequently replicated, including by Israeli soldiers on theground, as evidenced by audiovisual content verified byAmnesty International showing soldiers making calls to“erase” Gaza or to make it uninhabitable, and celebratingthe destruction of Palestinian homes, mosques, schools anduniversities.
Killing and causing serious bodily ormental harm
Amnesty International documented the genocidal acts ofkilling and causing serious mental and bodily harm toPalestinians in Gaza by reviewing the results ofinvestigations it conducted into 15 air strikes between 7October 2023 and 20 April 2024 that killed at least 334civilians, including 141 children, and wounded hundreds ofothers. Amnesty International found no evidence that any ofthese strikes were directed at a military objective.
In one illustrative case, on 20 April 2024, an Israeli air strikedestroyed the Abdelal family house in the Al-Jneinahneighbourhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations of
Palestinians, including 16 children, while they weresleeping.
While these represent just a fraction of Israel’s aerialattacks, they are indicative of a broader pattern of repeateddirect attacks on civilians and civilian objects or deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks. The attacks were also conducted inways designed to cause a very high number of fatalities andinjuries among the civilian population.
Inflicting conditions of life calculatedto bring about physical destruction
The report documents how Israel deliberately inflicted
conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza intended to lead,
over time, to their destruction. These conditions were
imposed through three simultaneous patterns that
repeatedly compounded the effect of each other’s
devastating impacts: damage to and destruction of life-
sustaining infrastructure and other objects indispensable to
the survival of the civilian population; the repeated use of
sweeping, arbitrary and confusing mass “evacuation” orders
to forcibly displace almost all of Gaza’s population; and the
denial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services,
humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies into
and within Gaza.
After 7 October 2023, Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza
cutting off electricity, water and fuel. In the nine months
reviewed for this report, Israel maintained a suffocating,
unlawful blockade, tightly controlled access to energy
sources, failed to facilitate meaningful humanitarian access
within Gaza, and obstructed the import and delivery of life-
saving goods and humanitarian aid, particularly to areas
north of Wadi Gaza. They thereby exacerbated an already
existing humanitarian crisis. This, combined with the
extensive damage to Gaza’s homes, hospitals, water and
sanitation facilities and agricultural land, and mass forced
displacement, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and led
to the spread of diseases at alarming rates. The impact was
especially harsh on young children and pregnant or
breastfeeding women, with anticipated long-term
consequences for their health.
The international community’s seismic,shameful failure for over a year to pressIsrael to end its atrocities in Gaza, by firstdelaying calls for a ceasefire and thencontinuing arms transfers, is and will remaina stain on our collective conscience.Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
Time and again, Israel had the chance to improve thehumanitarian situation in Gaza, yet for over a year it hasrepeatedly refused to take steps blatantly within its power todo so, such as opening sufficient access points to Gaza or
lifting tight restrictions on what could enter the Strip or their
obstruction of aid deliveries within Gaza while the situation
has grown progressively worse.
Through its repeated “evacuation” orders Israel displaced
nearly 1.9 million Palestinians – 90% of Gaza’s population –into ever-shrinking, unsafe pockets of land under inhumaneconditions, some of them up to 10 times. These multiplewaves of forced displacement left many jobless and deeplytraumatized, especially since some 70% of Gaza’s residentsare refugees or descendants of refugees whose towns andvillages were ethnically cleansed by Israel during the 1948Nakba.
Despite conditions quickly becoming unfit for human life,Israeli authorities refused to consider measures that wouldhave protected displaced civilians and ensured their basicneeds were met, showing that their actions weredeliberate.
They refused to allow those displaced to return to their
homes in northern Gaza or relocate temporarily to other
parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or Israel,
continuing to deny many Palestinians their right to returnunder international law to areas they were displacedfrom in 1948. They did so knowing that there was nowhere
safe for Palestinians in Gaza to flee to.
Accountability for genocide
“The international community’s seismic, shameful failure for
over a year to press Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, by
first delaying calls for a ceasefire and then continuing arms
transfers, is and will remain a stain on our collective
conscience,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless toend this genocide, which was enabled by decades ofimpunity for Israel’s violations of international law. Statesneed to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismayand take strong and sustained international action, howeveruncomfortable a finding of genocide may be for some ofIsrael’s allies.
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants forPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former DefenseMinister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes againsthumanity issued last month offer real hope of long-overduejustice for victims. States must demonstrate their respect forthe court’s decision and for universal international lawprinciples by arresting and handing over those wanted bythe ICC.
“We are calling on the Office of the Prosecutor of theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently consideradding genocide to the list of crimes it is investigating andfor all states to use every legal avenue to bring perpetratorsto justice. No one should be allowed to commit genocideand remain unpunished.”
Amnesty International is also calling for all civilian hostages
to be released unconditionally and for Hamas and other
Palestinian armed groups responsible for the crimescommitted on 7 October to be held to account.
The organization is also calling for the UN Security Council
to impose targeted sanctions against Israeli and Hamas
officials most implicated in crimes under international law.
Background
On 7 October 2023 Hamas and other armedgroups indiscriminately fired rockets into southernIsrael and carried out deliberate mass killings andhostage-taking there, killing 1,200 people, including over800 civilians, and abducted 223 civilians and captured 27soldiers. The crimes perpetrated by Hamas and other armedgroups during this attack will be the focus of a forthcomingAmnesty International report.
Since October 2023, Amnesty International has conducted in-depth investigations into the multiple violations and crimes underinternational law committed by Israeli forces, including directattacks on civilians and civilian objects and deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks killing hundreds of civilians, as well asother unlawful attacks on and collective punishment of the civilianpopulation. The organization has called on the Office of the ICCProsecutor to expedite its investigation into the situation in theState of Palestine and is campaigning for an immediate ceasefire.
For the Hebrew translation of this press release, clickhere.
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disaster not only forIsrael, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of a larger movement called the Muslim Brotherhood,which exists in various forms in many different countries, including the US and most of Europe, and whose stated goal isIslamic world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about the Gazans. In fact, they see dead and starving Gazans asbeneficial to their cause, because it undermines international support for Israel, which they regard as one of the chiefimpediments to their goal of world domination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they're very sharp-eyed forpsychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow Hamas to survive because of humanitarianconcern for Gazan civilians would be seen as a critical psychological weakness which could be further exploited, notonly of Israel, but also of Western civilization itself which is pressuring Israel in this regard. This would greatlyembolden the MB worldwide and add to their confidence that they’re on the right path.
Best,Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing perspectives. For the folks whothink Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do youanticipate Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is thata cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a good long term outcome forGazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who have studied the conflict in more detail think would mostlikely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine totalcandidates, who had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I attended the councilmeeting that night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, under UN armed supervision, ofcourse. Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea during he 1952 election campaign,achieved a cease fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of a formal peace treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:> > Henry,> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of the onus on Israel anddemands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space to regroup and rearm so theycan continue their policy of killing Jews.> > Marty> > >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>> >> Dear Marty>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on their general policy of excludingforeign policy issues However, like the attorney for the holocaust victim who successfullyasked the US Supreme for a narrow exception to the statute of limitations, I argued to Councilthat there are certain issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens to take a stand: Gaza ceasefire now, is one! See council video of several months ago for my full statement.>> >> Best,>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in on foreign policy issues,especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle East. Such controversial resolutions changenothing in the Middle East and only promote conflict at home. Unless of course the goal isprecisely to create conflict at home.>>> >>> Martin Wasserman>>> >>> >>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requires repetition , will include inwritings this topic until achieved >>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>> >>>>> Ok!>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above and beyond. Aram, who waspresent, can assure you that I requested each council member individually and publicly tocommit Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at city website. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy under an innocuous title, a“collective Eichmann” is at work meticulously designing the “crime of the new century” thesystematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities, businesses, andhousing, with the intent and objective of atomizing the citizens of GAZA Palestine into acontrollable mass. Attendant nutrition deprivation is an overlay on institutional andorganizational deprivation, conducted in Mediterranean sunlight and international, if notIsraeli, full media gaze. Rather than the inside pages of the New York Times where vGermany’s 20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling, escalating genocide is on thefront pages of the newspaper of record where all news that fits is published, sometimesironically overshadowed by food recipes in the Internet Edition. The international community,led by Europe where the Holocaust was originated, collaborated, condoned and onlysometimes resisted in the last century, must mitigate its indelible moral stain by heading offthe Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of the holocaustcould have been given such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the futureHannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquity of evil?>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation ManagementResearch>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice, 644 Menlo Avenue,Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Case number 24CV450485 SuperiorCourt of California County of California, Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First Street, SanJose CA 95113 civil division>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>> >> >
From:Aram JamesTo:Martin Wasserman
Cc:Justin Zalkin; h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free Press; GRP-City Council;city.council@menlopark.gov; cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan; Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; MichelleBigelow; Sean Allen; EPA Today; Dave Price; Gennady Sheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org;board@pausd.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, JulieSubject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 12:40:36 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachmentsand clicking on links.
Hi Justin,
Here is a bit more background on the ongoing genocide:
Amnesty Internationalinvestigation concludesIsrael is committinggenocide againstPalestinians in Gaza
Amnesty International’s research has found sufficient basisto conclude that Israel has committed and is continuing tocommit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied GazaStrip, the organization said in a landmark new reportpublished today.
The report, ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’sGenocide Against Palestinians in Gaza, documents how,during its military offensive launched in the wake of thedeadly Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on 7 October2023, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction onPalestinians in Gaza brazenly, continuously and with totalimpunity.
“Amnesty International’s report demonstrates that Israel has
carried out acts prohibited under the Genocide Convention, with
the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza. These actsinclude killings, causing serious bodily or mental harm anddeliberately inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of lifecalculated to bring about their physical destruction. Month aftermonth, Israel has treated Palestinians in Gaza as a subhumangroup unworthy of human rights and dignity, demonstrating itsintent to physically destroy them,” said Agnès Callamard,Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the
international community: this is genocide. It must stop now.
“States that continue to transfer arms to Israel at this time
must know they are violating their obligation to prevent
genocide and are at risk of becoming complicit in genocide.
All states with influence over Israel, particularly key arms
suppliers like the USA and Germany, but also other EU
member states, the UK and others, must act now to bring
Israel’s atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza to an
immediate end.”
Over the past two months the crisis has grown particularly
acute in the North Gaza governorate, where a besieged
population is facing starvation, displacement andannihilation amid relentless bombardment and suffocatingrestrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Our research reveals that, for months, Israel has persisted in
committing genocidal acts, fully aware of the irreparable harm it
was inflicting on Palestinians in Gaza. It continued to do so in
defiance of countless warnings about the catastrophic
humanitarian situation and of legally binding decisions from the
International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Israel to takeimmediate measures to enable the provision of humanitarianassistance to civilians in Gaza,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Israel has repeatedly argued that its actions in Gaza are
lawful and can be justified by its military goal to eradicate
Hamas. But genocidal intent can co-exist alongside military
goals and does not need to be Israel’s sole intent.”
Amnesty International examined Israel’s acts in Gaza
closely and in their totality, taking into account their
recurrence and simultaneous occurrence, and both their
immediate impact and their cumulative and mutually
reinforcing consequences. The organization considered the
scale and severity of the casualties and destruction over
time. It also analysed public statements by officials, finding
that prohibited acts were often announced or called for in
the first place by high-level officials in charge of the war
efforts.
“Taking into account the pre-existing context of dispossession,
apartheid and unlawful military occupation in which these acts
have been committed, we could find only one reasonable
conclusion: Israel’s intent is the physical destruction of
Palestinians in Gaza, whether in parallel with, or as a means to
achieve, its military goal of destroying Hamas,” said Agnès
Callamard.
“The atrocity crimes committed on 7 October 2023 by
Hamas and other armed groups against Israelis and victims
of other nationalities, including deliberate mass killings and
hostage-taking, can never justify Israel’s genocide against
Palestinians in Gaza.”
International jurisprudence recognizes that the perpetratordoes not need to succeed in their attempts to destroy theprotected group, either in whole or in part, for genocide tohave been committed. The commission of prohibited actswith the intent to destroy the group, as such, is sufficient.
Amnesty International’s report examines in detail Israel’sviolations in Gaza over nine months between 7 October2023 and early July 2024. The organization interviewed 212people, including Palestinian victims and witnesses, localauthorities in Gaza, healthcare workers, conducted fieldworkand analysed an extensive range of visual and digitalevidence, including satellite imagery. It also analysedstatements by senior Israeli government and militaryofficials, and official Israeli bodies. On multiple occasions,the organization shared its findings with the Israeli
authorities but had received no substantive response at the
time of publication.
Unprecedented scale and magnitude
Israel’s actions following Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7
October 2023 have brought Gaza’s population to the brink
of collapse. Its brutal military offensive had killed more than
42,000 Palestinians, including over 13,300 children, and
injured over 97,000 more, by 7 October 2024, many of them
in direct or deliberately indiscriminate attacks, often wiping
out entire multigenerational families. It has caused
unprecedented destruction, which experts say occurred at alevel and speed not seen in any other conflict in the 21stcentury, levelling entire cities and destroying criticalinfrastructure, agricultural land and cultural and religioussites. It thereby rendered large swathes of Gazauninhabitable.
Mohammed, who fled with his family from Gaza City to
Rafah in March 2024 and was displaced again in May 2024,
described their struggle to survive in horrifying conditions:
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse… You have to
protect your children from insects, from the heat, and there
is no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing never
stops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Israel imposed conditions of life in Gaza that created adeadly mixture of malnutrition, hunger and diseases, andexposed Palestinians to a slow, calculated death. Israel also
subjected hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza to
incommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment.
Viewed in isolation, some of the acts investigated byAmnesty International constitute serious violations ofinternational humanitarian law or international human rightslaw. But in looking at the broader picture of Israel’s militarycampaign and the cumulative impact of its policies and acts,genocidal intent is the only reasonable conclusion.
Intent to destroy
To establish Israel’s specific intent to physically destroyPalestinians in Gaza, as such, Amnesty Internationalanalysed the overall pattern of Israel’s conduct in Gaza,reviewed dehumanizing and genocidal statements by Israeligovernment and military officials, particularly those at thehighest levels, and considered the context of Israel’s systemof apartheid, its inhumane blockade of Gaza and theunlawful 57-year-old military occupation of the Palestinianterritory.
Before reaching its conclusion, Amnesty Internationalexamined Israel’s claims that its military lawfully targetedHamas and other armed groups throughout Gaza, and thatthe resulting unprecedented destruction and denial of aidwere the outcome of unlawful conduct by Hamas and otherarmed groups, such as locating fighters among the civilianpopulation or the diversion of aid. The organizationconcluded these claims are not credible. The presence ofHamas fighters near or within a densely populated areadoes not absolve Israel from its obligations to take allfeasible precautions to spare civilians and avoidindiscriminate or disproportionate attacks. Its research foundIsrael repeatedly failed to do so, committing multiple crimesunder international law for which there can be no
justification based on Hamas’s actions. AmnestyInternational also found no evidence that the diversion of aidcould explain Israel’s extreme and deliberate restrictions onlife-saving humanitarian aid.
In its analysis, the organization also considered alternative
arguments such as ones that Israel was acting recklessly or
that it simply wanted to destroy Hamas and did not care if it
needed to destroy Palestinians in the process,
demonstrating a callous disregard for their lives rather thangenocidal intent.
Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community: this isgenocide. It must stop now. Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
However, regardless of whether Israel sees the destruction
of Palestinians as instrumental to destroying Hamas or as
an acceptable by-product of this goal, this view of
Palestinians as disposable and not worthy of consideration
is in itself evidence of genocidal intent.
Many of the unlawful acts documented by Amnesty
International were preceded by officials urging their
implementation. The organization reviewed 102 statements
that were issued by Israeli government and military officials
and others between 7 October 2023 and 30 June 2024 and
dehumanized Palestinians, called for or justified genocidal
acts or other crimes against them.
Of these, Amnesty International identified 22 statementsmade by senior officials in charge of managing the offensive
that appeared to call for, or justify, genocidal acts, providing
direct evidence of genocidal intent. This language was
frequently replicated, including by Israeli soldiers on the
ground, as evidenced by audiovisual content verified by
Amnesty International showing soldiers making calls to
“erase” Gaza or to make it uninhabitable, and celebrating
the destruction of Palestinian homes, mosques, schools and
universities.
Killing and causing serious bodily ormental harm
Amnesty International documented the genocidal acts ofkilling and causing serious mental and bodily harm toPalestinians in Gaza by reviewing the results ofinvestigations it conducted into 15 air strikes between 7October 2023 and 20 April 2024 that killed at least 334civilians, including 141 children, and wounded hundreds of
others. Amnesty International found no evidence that any of
these strikes were directed at a military objective.
In one illustrative case, on 20 April 2024, an Israeli air strikedestroyed the Abdelal family house in the Al-Jneinahneighbourhood in eastern Rafah, killing three generations ofPalestinians, including 16 children, while they weresleeping.
While these represent just a fraction of Israel’s aerial
attacks, they are indicative of a broader pattern of repeateddirect attacks on civilians and civilian objects or deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks. The attacks were also conducted inways designed to cause a very high number of fatalities andinjuries among the civilian population.
Inflicting conditions of life calculatedto bring about physical destruction
The report documents how Israel deliberately inflicted
conditions of life on Palestinians in Gaza intended to lead,
over time, to their destruction. These conditions were
imposed through three simultaneous patterns that
repeatedly compounded the effect of each other’sdevastating impacts: damage to and destruction of life-sustaining infrastructure and other objects indispensable tothe survival of the civilian population; the repeated use ofsweeping, arbitrary and confusing mass “evacuation” ordersto forcibly displace almost all of Gaza’s population; and thedenial and obstruction of the delivery of essential services,humanitarian assistance and other life-saving supplies intoand within Gaza.
After 7 October 2023, Israel imposed a total siege on Gazacutting off electricity, water and fuel. In the nine monthsreviewed for this report, Israel maintained a suffocating,unlawful blockade, tightly controlled access to energysources, failed to facilitate meaningful humanitarian accesswithin Gaza, and obstructed the import and delivery of life-saving goods and humanitarian aid, particularly to areasnorth of Wadi Gaza. They thereby exacerbated an alreadyexisting humanitarian crisis. This, combined with theextensive damage to Gaza’s homes, hospitals, water andsanitation facilities and agricultural land, and mass forceddisplacement, caused catastrophic levels of hunger and ledto the spread of diseases at alarming rates. The impact wasespecially harsh on young children and pregnant orbreastfeeding women, with anticipated long-termconsequences for their health.
The international community’s seismic,shameful failure for over a year to pressIsrael to end its atrocities in Gaza, by first
delaying calls for a ceasefire and then
continuing arms transfers, is and will remain
a stain on our collective conscience.
Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International
Time and again, Israel had the chance to improve thehumanitarian situation in Gaza, yet for over a year it hasrepeatedly refused to take steps blatantly within its power todo so, such as opening sufficient access points to Gaza orlifting tight restrictions on what could enter the Strip or theirobstruction of aid deliveries within Gaza while the situationhas grown progressively worse.
Through its repeated “evacuation” orders Israel displacednearly 1.9 million Palestinians – 90% of Gaza’s population –into ever-shrinking, unsafe pockets of land under inhumaneconditions, some of them up to 10 times. These multiplewaves of forced displacement left many jobless and deeply
traumatized, especially since some 70% of Gaza’s residents
are refugees or descendants of refugees whose towns and
villages were ethnically cleansed by Israel during the 1948
Nakba.
Despite conditions quickly becoming unfit for human life,Israeli authorities refused to consider measures that wouldhave protected displaced civilians and ensured their basicneeds were met, showing that their actions weredeliberate.
They refused to allow those displaced to return to theirhomes in northern Gaza or relocate temporarily to otherparts of the Occupied Palestinian Territory or Israel,continuing to deny many Palestinians their right to return
under international law to areas they were displacedfrom in 1948. They did so knowing that there was nowheresafe for Palestinians in Gaza to flee to.
Accountability for genocide
“The international community’s seismic, shameful failure forover a year to press Israel to end its atrocities in Gaza, byfirst delaying calls for a ceasefire and then continuing armstransfers, is and will remain a stain on our collectiveconscience,” said Agnès Callamard.
“Governments must stop pretending they are powerless toend this genocide, which was enabled by decades ofimpunity for Israel’s violations of international law. Statesneed to move beyond mere expressions of regret or dismayand take strong and sustained international action, howeveruncomfortable a finding of genocide may be for some ofIsrael’s allies.
“The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrants forPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former DefenseMinister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes againsthumanity issued last month offer real hope of long-overduejustice for victims. States must demonstrate their respect forthe court’s decision and for universal international lawprinciples by arresting and handing over those wanted bythe ICC.
“We are calling on the Office of the Prosecutor of theInternational Criminal Court (ICC) to urgently consideradding genocide to the list of crimes it is investigating andfor all states to use every legal avenue to bring perpetratorsto justice. No one should be allowed to commit genocideand remain unpunished.”
Amnesty International is also calling for all civilian hostages
to be released unconditionally and for Hamas and other
Palestinian armed groups responsible for the crimescommitted on 7 October to be held to account.
The organization is also calling for the UN Security Council
to impose targeted sanctions against Israeli and Hamas
officials most implicated in crimes under international law.
Background
On 7 October 2023 Hamas and other armed
groups indiscriminately fired rockets into southernIsrael and carried out deliberate mass killings andhostage-taking there, killing 1,200 people, including over800 civilians, and abducted 223 civilians and captured 27soldiers. The crimes perpetrated by Hamas and other armedgroups during this attack will be the focus of a forthcomingAmnesty International report.
Since October 2023, Amnesty International has conducted in-
depth investigations into the multiple violations and crimes underinternational law committed by Israeli forces, including directattacks on civilians and civilian objects and deliberatelyindiscriminate attacks killing hundreds of civilians, as well asother unlawful attacks on and collective punishment of the civilianpopulation. The organization has called on the Office of the ICCProsecutor to expedite its investigation into the situation in theState of Palestine and is campaigning for an immediate ceasefire.
For the Hebrew translation of this press release, click
here.
On Mon, Aug 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disaster not only forIsrael, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of a larger movement called the Muslim Brotherhood,which exists in various forms in many different countries, including the US and most of Europe, and whose stated goal isIslamic world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about the Gazans. In fact, they see dead and starving Gazans asbeneficial to their cause, because it undermines international support for Israel, which they regard as one of the chiefimpediments to their goal of world domination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they're very sharp-eyed forpsychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow Hamas to survive because of humanitarianconcern for Gazan civilians would be seen as a critical psychological weakness which could be further exploited, not onlyof Israel, but also of Western civilization itself which is pressuring Israel in this regard. This would greatly embolden theMB worldwide and add to their confidence that they’re on the right path.
Best,Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing perspectives. For the folks whothink Israel should immediately declare a ceasefire, what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do youanticipate Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who is to blame). My fear is thata cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing would not lead to a good long term outcome forGazans (or Israelis). I am curious what others who have studied the conflict in more detail think would mostlikely happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in 2024, out of nine totalcandidates, who had the courage to unequivocally call for a ceasefire. I attended the councilmeeting that night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, under UN armed supervision, ofcourse. Who is to be the Ike who said, I will go to Korea during he 1952 election campaign,achieved a cease fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of a formal peace treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:> > Henry,> > One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of the onus on Israel anddemands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas breathing space to regroup and rearm so theycan continue their policy of killing Jews.> > Marty> > >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>> >> Dear Marty>> >> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on their general policy of excludingforeign policy issues However, like the attorney for the holocaust victim who successfullyasked the US Supreme for a narrow exception to the statute of limitations, I argued to Councilthat there are certain issues that it behooves as as Palo Alto citizens to take a stand: Gaza ceasefire now, is one! See council video of several months ago for my full statement.>> >> Best,>> Hillel>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman <deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in on foreign policy issues,especially in highly volatile areas like the Middle East. Such controversial resolutions changenothing in the Middle East and only promote conflict at home. Unless of course the goal isprecisely to create conflict at home.>>> >>> Martin Wasserman>>> >>> >>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>> >>>> Ps>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requires repetition , will include inwritings this topic until achieved
>>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>> >>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>> >>>>> Ok!>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>> >>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above and beyond. Aram, who waspresent, can assure you that I requested each council member individually and publicly tocommit Palo Alto to call for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at city website. >>>>>> >>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist <finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more concrete...?>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz <h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy under an innocuous title, a“collective Eichmann” is at work meticulously designing the “crime of the new century” thesystematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities, businesses, andhousing, with the intent and objective of atomizing the citizens of GAZA Palestine into acontrollable mass. Attendant nutrition deprivation is an overlay on institutional andorganizational deprivation, conducted in Mediterranean sunlight and international, if notIsraeli, full media gaze. Rather than the inside pages of the New York Times where vGermany’s 20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling, escalating genocide is on thefront pages of the newspaper of record where all news that fits is published, sometimesironically overshadowed by food recipes in the Internet Edition. The international community,led by Europe where the Holocaust was originated, collaborated, condoned and onlysometimes resisted in the last century, must mitigate its indelible moral stain by heading offthe Netenyahu regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of the holocaustcould have been given such leeway, not to forget Pol Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the futureHannah Arendt to chronicle the ubiquity of evil?>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre for Innovation ManagementResearch>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and Social Justice, 644 Menlo Avenue,Menlo Park CA 94025>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Case number 24CV450485 SuperiorCourt of California County of California, Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First Street, SanJose CA 95113 civil division>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>> >> >
From:Martin Wasserman
To:Justin Zalkin
Cc:Aram James; h.etzko@gmail.com; Roberta Ahlquist; Pnina Abir-am; Gizem Sivri; Council, City; Palo Alto Free
Press; GRP-City Council; city.council@menlopark.gov; cromero@cityofepa.org; The Office of Mayor Matt Mahan;
Mark Turner; CityCouncil; citycouncil@menlopark.org; Michelle Bigelow; Sean Allen; EPA Today; Dave Price;
Gennady Sheyner; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg; board@valleywater.org; boardfeedback@smcgov.org;
board@pausd.org; Bill Newell; Lythcott-Haims, Julie
Subject:Re: Starvation by Design
Date:Monday, August 4, 2025 12:29:43 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautiousof opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hi Justin,
Israel declaring a unilateral cease-fire and leaving Hamas in power would be a potential long-term disaster not only for Israel, but for the entire civilized world. Hamas is just one branch of
a larger movement called the Muslim Brotherhood, which exists in various forms in manydifferent countries, including the US and most of Europe, and whose stated goal is Islamic
world domination. Hamas couldn't care less about the Gazans. In fact, they see dead andstarving Gazans as beneficial to their cause, because it undermines international support for
Israel, which they regard as one of the chief impediments to their goal of world domination.
The MB knows it doesn't have the military strength to conquer the world right now, so they'revery sharp-eyed for psychological weaknesses on the part of their enemies. For Israel to allow
Hamas to survive because of humanitarian concern for Gazan civilians would be seen as acritical psychological weakness which could be further exploited, not only of Israel, but also
of Western civilization itself which is pressuring Israel in this regard. This would greatlyembolden the MB worldwide and add to their confidence that they’re on the right path.
Best,
Martin Wasserman
On Aug 4, 2025, at 9:14 AM, Justin Zalkin <jzalkin@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello —
I see some exceptionally bright people on this thread who have differing
perspectives. For the folks who think Israel should immediately declare aceasefire, what are your perspectives on Hamas? And what do you anticipate
Hamas would most likely do with a ceasefire period?
Hopefully everyone views famine among Gazans as horrible (regardless of who isto blame). My fear is that a cessation of hostilities that leaves Hamas governing
would not lead to a good long term outcome for Gazans (or Israelis). I am curiouswhat others who have studied the conflict in more detail think would most likely
happen if Hamas were to continue governing.
All the Best,
Justin
On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Aram James <abjpd1@gmail.com>wrote:
Subject: Your Stand on the Ceasefire
Hi Henry,
You were truly the only candidate for the Palo Alto City Council in
2024, out of nine total candidates, who had the courage tounequivocally call for a ceasefire. I attended the council meeting that
night and remember your speech very well.
Best regards,
Avram “ One State Solution” Finkelstein
On Fri, Aug 1, 2025 at 10:31 AM, Henry Etzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
Marty
Marty,
Express away but the killing and starvation policy must stop, underUN armed supervision, of course. Who is to be the Ike who said, I
will go to Korea during he 1952 election campaign, achieved acease fire, that holds to this day, despite lack of a formal peace
treaty.
Best,Henry
> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:19 AM, Martin Wasserman
<deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:>
> Henry,>
> One of my objections to “ceasefire now” is that it places all of theonus on Israel and demands nothing of Hamas, and gives Hamas
breathing space to regroup and rearm so they can continue theirpolicy of killing Jews.
> > Marty
>
> >> On Aug 1, 2025, at 10:01 AM, Henry Etzkowitz
<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>
>> Dear Marty>>
>> I have expressed my agreement in heron to Council on theirgeneral policy of excluding foreign policy issues However, like the
attorney for the holocaust victim who successfully asked the USSupreme for a narrow exception to the statute of limitations, I
argued to Council that there are certain issues that it behooves as asPalo Alto citizens to take a stand: Gaza cease fire now, is one! See
council video of several months ago for my full statement.>>
>> Best,>> Hillel
>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 9:43 AM, Martin Wasserman<deeperlook@aol.com> wrote:
>>> >>> There's no legitimate reason for city government to weigh in
on foreign policy issues, especially in highly volatile areas like theMiddle East. Such controversial resolutions change nothing in the
Middle East and only promote conflict at home. Unless of coursethe goal is precisely to create conflict at home.
>>> >>> Martin Wasserman
>>> >>>
>>>> On Aug 1, 2025, at 2:14 AM, Henry Etzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>> >>>> Ps
>>>> Upon reflection, accept your critique: cease fire requiresrepetition , will include in writings this topic until achieved
>>>> www.triplehelix.net>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 11:45 PM, Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> >>>>> Ok!
>>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>> >>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 10:20 PM, Henry Etzkowitz
<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:>>>>>>
>>>>>> Agree with cease fire, and permanent treaty above andbeyond. Aram, who was present, can assure you that I requested
each council member individually and publicly to commit PaloAlto to call for cease fire. Video supposed to be available at city
website. >>>>>>
>>>>>> Best>>>>>> Henry
>>>>>> >>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 8:49 PM, Roberta Ahlquist<finnroberta@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes- and how about a ceasefire? Less abstract, more
concrete...?>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Jul 31, 2025, at 1:08 PM, Henry Etzkowitz<h.etzko@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Somewhere in Israel’s Governmental bureaucracy
under an innocuous title, a “collective Eichmann” is at workmeticulously designing the “crime of the new century” the
systematic destruction the civil institutional environment of universities, businesses, and housing, with the intent and objective
of atomizing the citizens of GAZA Palestine into a controllablemass. Attendant nutrition deprivation is an overlay on institutional
and organizational deprivation, conducted in Mediterraneansunlight and international, if not Israeli, full media gaze. Rather
than the inside pages of the New York Times where v Germany’s20th century holocaust was relegated, this rolling, escalating
genocide is on the front pages of the newspaper of record where allnews that fits is published, sometimes ironically overshadowed by
food recipes in the Internet Edition. The international community,led by Europe where the Holocaust was originated, collaborated,
condoned and only sometimes resisted in the last century, mustmitigate its indelible moral stain by heading off the Netenyahu
regime’s scheme. Only a Jewish state founded on the ashes of theholocaust could have been given such leeway, not to forget Pol
Pot’s Cambodia. Who will be the future Hannah Arendt tochronicle the ubiquity of evil?
>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Sincerely
>>>>>>>> Henry Etzkowitz>>>>>>>> Distinguished Fellow
>>>>>>>> University of London, Birkbeck College, Centre forInnovation Management Research
>>>>>>>> Co-founder, Neighbors for Environmental and SocialJustice, 644 Menlo Avenue, Menlo Park CA 94025
>>>>>>>> RE Henry Etzkowitz et al vs Elon Musk et al Casenumber 24CV450485 Superior Court of California County of
California, Downtown Courthouse 191 Notth First Street, San JoseCA 95113 civil division
>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone>>>
>> >