3rd Thursday Alert: Ask your Representative to co-sponsor H.R. 4391

Ask your representative to co-sponsor H.R. 4391, to ensure that U.S. tax dollars are not supporting the systematic abuse of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.

Nearly one year ago, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced groundbreaking legislation, to prevent U.S. tax dollars from paying for human rights violations against Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.

As the bill marks its one-year anniversary, it is now supported by 30 members of the House. It would be great to add more co-sponsors before the end of this session of Congress! If your representative is already a co-sponsor, please send them a note of thanks. If they have not yet signed on, please ask them to add their name as a co-sponsor of H.R. 4391.

The Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act (H.R. 4391) requires the Secretary of State to certify annually that no funds obligated or expended in the previous year by the United States for assistance to Israel have been used to support prohibited practices under international law. If the Secretary cannot make this certification, a detailed report is required outlining the amount of money spent in violation of the bill and how it was spent.

Human rights groups including B’Tselem and Defense for Children International Palestine have documented the abuse and rights violations to which Palestinian children are subjected in the Israeli military system.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ both adopted resolutions calling for our churches and members to advocate for the rights of children living under Israeli military occupation at their respective General Assembly and General Synod in 2017.  Click here to read those resolutions and to access helpful resources about this issue.

Ask your member of Congress today to support Palestinian children in Israeli military detention, H.R. 4391.

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Sample Letter:

Note: Click here to find out if your representative is already a co-sponsor of H.R. 4391, and if so, send a note of thanks!  If not, ask them to add their name as a co-sponsor of H.R 4391.

Dear Representative,

I ask you to work to end the abuse of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.

Human rights groups including B’Tselem and Defense for Children International Palestine have documented the abuse and rights violations to which Palestinian children are subjected in the Israeli military system.

In November 2017, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced a bill  (H.R. 4391) to prevent US tax dollars from paying for human rights violations against Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.

I urge you to co-sponsor H.R.4391. As a person of faith, I believe that Israelis and Palestinians will both benefit when the human dignity of all is respected.

Thank you for your consideration,