The U.S. supplies Israel with $3-4 billion in military aid annually. HR2590, threatens Israel with the loss of U.S. military aid if Israel persists with its current policies toward Palestinian people. Here is a quote from the bill. It will:
“Ensure that United States taxpayer funds are not used by the Government of Israel to support the military detention of Palestinian children, the unlawful seizure, appropriation, and destruction of Palestinian property and forcible transfer of civilians in the West Bank, or further annexation of Palestinian land in violation of international law.””
Human Rights Watch is calling on the International Criminal Court to open a probe into apparent Israeli war crimes committed during its recent 11-day assault on Gaza that killed 260 Palestinians, including 66 children.
In its World Report 2020, Human Rights Watch reported that “Israel denied Palestinian children arrested and detained in the West Bank legal protections granted to Israeli children, including settlers, such as protections against nighttime arrests and interrogations without a guardian present. Israeli forces frequently used unnecessary force against children during arrest and physically abused them in custody.”.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported in January 2021 that during 2020, Israeli authorities demolished or seized 851 structures across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, displacing 1001 Palestinians as a result, including over 524 children. This is the highest number of home demolitions since 2016.
If Jewish people want to be proud of Israel, we need to open our eyes and encourage compassion toward the people that Israel controls. Israel is “Goliath” here. Israel is not “David.”
Yes, Israel has “A right to defend itself” as many would argue. But at what cost to innocent people? How can these criminal acts be considered “defending itself”? Hamas rockets are a feeble response to the sophisticated weaponry that the U.S. supplies Israel. Protecting Israel from criticism does not improve the growing perception around the world that Israel’s brutal control of Palestinian lives must stop.
Mainstream businesses are beginning to recognize the need to pressure Israel into more humane treatment of Palestinians. Ben and Jerry’s recently decided not sell their ice cream in the occupied West Bank See the recent N.Y. Times article about Ben and Jerry’s decision.
Supporting this bill will encourage Israel toward more humane policies. That would improve the lives of both the Israeli and the Palestinian people.
U.S. Rep. Richard Neal represents Ashfield, Bernardston,Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Hawley, Heath, Leydon, Monroe, Rowe, Shelburne. Call him at 202-225-5601.
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern represents Greenfield, Deerfield, Leominster, Worcester, Northampton, Amherst Athol and Ware. He can be reached at 202-225-6101.
Please call and let them know we want them to co-sponsor, support HR 2590 The Palestinian Children and Families Act. Silence is Complicity. (To learn more about Israeli foreign policy look up Pegasus and the NSO Group.)
Ellen Kaufmann lives in Buckland.