McCollum Reintroduces the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act

Betty McCollum | wikipedia

By St. Paul Reporter News reports

May 6, 2023

Historic legislation would ensure accountability for U.S. taxpayer dollars

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) and colleagues have reintroduced the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act for the 118th Congress.

The legislation prohibits Israel’s government from using U.S. taxpayer dollars in the Occupied West Bank for the military detention, abuse, or ill treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention; the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law; or any assistance or support for unilateral annexation of Palestinian lands in violation of international humanitarian law.

Congresswoman McCollum released the following statement:“Not $1 of U.S. aid should be used to commit human rights violations, demolish families’ homes, or permanently annex Palestinian lands,” Congresswoman McCollum said. “The United States provides billions in assistance for Israel's government each year--and those dollars should go toward Israel's security, not toward actions that violate international law and cause harm. Peace can only be achieved when everyone’s human rights are respected, and Congress has a responsibility to not ignore the well-documented mistreatment of Palestinian children and families living under Israeli military occupation.

“Support is growing rapidly for the Palestinian people, who deserve justice, equality, human rights, and the right to self-determination. Prominent civil society groups, as well as Christian, Jewish, and Muslim organizations have signed on in support of this bill—because we all agree that no Palestinian child and no Jewish child should go to bed at night fearing ongoing violence. There is a path to a peaceful future, and it requires leading with our U.S. values of democracy and equal justice for all.”

Joining Rep. McCollum as Original Cosponsors: Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10), Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12), Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12), Rep. Dwight Evans (PA-03).

Legislation: The full text of the bill can be found here. More background information can be found at mccollum.house.gov/PalestinianHumanRights

The bill is supported by more than 75 civil society organizations and groups, including: Defense for Children International - Palestine
American Friends Service Committee

Human Rights Watch

Amnesty International USA

J Street

Oxfam America

Jewish Voice for Peace Action

IfNotNow Movement

Americans for Peace Now

Norwegian Refugee Council

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)

US Campaign for Palestinian Rights

Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)

Center for Constitutional Rights