IPMN Endorses Rep. Betty McCollum’s Legislation on Treatment of Palestinian Children in Israeli Military Detention

The Israel Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA) decisively endorses Rep. Betty McCollum’s (MN) legislation, HR 2407, “Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation.”

Introduced on April 30th, the bill “amends a provision of the Foreign Assistance Act known as the ‘Leahy Law’ to prohibit funding for the military detention of children in any country, including Israel.” Additionally, the legislation authorizes the appropriation of $19 million annually to NGOs in Israel/Palestine who monitor the treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention and who are qualified to provide psychological and emotional support to children returning from military detention.

The 222nd General Assembly of the PCUSA (2016) overwhelmingly adopted an overture in support of the safety and wellbeing of children of Palestine and Israel, “calling on the government of Israel to change its military detention system [so as] to stop night arrests, stop blindfolds and restraints, stop separation from parents and legal counsel, stop physical abuse and verbal threats, and stop isolation and coerced confessions.” Unfortunately, in the nearly three years since its passage, there have been no improvements in the treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention.

In her Press Release, Rep. McCollum notes “Peace can only be achieved by respecting human rights, especially the rights of children. Congress must not turn a blind eye to the unjust and ongoing mistreatment of Palestinian children living under Israeli occupation.”

IPMN calls on all Presbyterians to support Rep. McCollum’s legislation and encourage their own Congressional representatives to co-sponsor HR 2407.

Click here to contact your members of Congress through the Action Alert from Churches for Middle East Peace.