3rd Thursday Alert: Tell Congress that US taxpayers must not be complicit in annexation!
In the midst of a global pandemic, Israel remains committed to moving forward with unlawful plans to annex large swaths of Palestinian territory in the West Bank, in violation of international law and against the urging of the international community.
By preventing the creation of a Palestinian state, annexation would institutionalize an undemocratic system in which Israel would rule permanently over a Palestinian people denied self-determination and equal rights. It would have serious consequences for the stability of the region, putting a negotiated peace even further out of reach.
Palestinians living in the Holy Land already face daily injustices and discrimination. Annexation would entrench the continued denial of Palestinian self-determination, human rights, and dignity.
Church leaders around the world have joined the global call for justice, including clergy from the Bethlehem area. On July 1, Kairos Palestine and Global Kairos for Justice, a broad network of allies including Palestinian Christians and Christians worldwide, issued an urgent call to end the oppression of the Palestinian people. “Cry for Hope: A Call for Decisive Action” makes the case that, as Israel announces its annexation plans, a critical point has been reached in the struggle to end the oppression of Palestinians. Disciples and UCC leaders have written a “Message and Call” in response to the Cry for Hope, which includes a clear opposition to annexation.
“The Body of Christ can no longer stand by as world leaders and the international community trample on the rights of Palestinians to dignity, justice and self-determination under international law. The integrity of the Christian faith itself is at stake,” said Rifat Kassis, General Coordinator of Kairos Palestine.
As Christians in the United States, it is critical that we tell Congress to use its power of the purse to stop Israel’s annexation of Palestinian territory. Israel currently receives more US foreign aid than any other nation – $3.8 billion a year. US taxpayers must not be complicit in Israel’s human rights violations by footing the bill for annexation. This is why a group of Senators, led by Chris Van Hollen and joined by Elizabeth Warren and Tim Kaine, have introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, to stipulate that US security assistance to Israel cannot be used to implement unilateral annexation in the West Bank.
US security assistance to Israel should not be used to implement actions that will further discredit Israel’s democracy, trample on Palestinian rights, and harm US interests. The US government should help facilitate an end to the conflict that will result in full equality and human rights for Israelis and Palestinians.