This is a page for the 2021 version of the proposed resolution by Rep. Betty McCollum. Please visit the page for the 2023 version, HR 3103.
Background on House Resolution (HR) 2590: Defend Palestinian Children & Families
BILL NUMBER; NAME; AND SESSION: H.R. 2590– [Short title] “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act,” 117th Congress (2021-2022).
UU PRINCIPLES: 1st: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2nd: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 5th: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; 6th: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; 8th (proposed, excerpt): Accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions. See also UUJME Vision, Mission, and Values at uujme.org/about/.
UU ACTIONS: In May 2021, The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) called on the U.S. government to withhold military aid to Israel until it complies with international law and stops violating the human rights of Palestinians. UUA President Susan Frederick Gray was one of 26 religious leaders signing a letter in support of the similar bill in the previous (116th) congress (HR 2407) on 11/8/2019, www.afsc.org/ document/faith-leaders-support-hr-2407. A 2002 UUA General Assembly Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) called on the Israeli government “to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention and other international laws.”
MAIN SPONSOR; DATE INTRODUCED; BILL WEBPAGES: Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN-4); April 15, 2021; Full text of the bill here.
MY CONGRESSPERSON’S CURRENT STAND ON THIS BILL: Dear Reader: It’s up to you to fill out this part of the form! See the “bill tracker,” listing current co-sponsors: www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2590, then contact your congressperson, asking them to sign onto the bill, or thanking them for doing so.
QUICK SUMMARY: (from press release 4/15/2021): McCollum’s legislation “prohibits Israel from using U.S. taxpayer dollars in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem for the military detention, abuse, or ill-treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention; to support the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law; or to extend any assistance or support for Israel’s unilateral annexation of Palestinian territory in violation of international humanitarian law.”
OFFICIAL SUMMARY (i.e, the bill’s full title): This is a bill “To promote and protect the human rights of Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation and to 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.”
SIGNIFICANCE/NOTEWORTHY: The very large number of sponsoring organizations and the speed with which the endorsements were obtained are impressive. The bill is endorsed by UUJME, Movement for Black Lives, MoveOn, immigrant rights groups, peace groups, faith groups, and even by J Street (the liberal Zionist group that supports a two-state solution). The full list can be found at Rep. McCollum’s website https://mccollum.house.gov/media/press-releases/mccollum-introduces-historic-legislation-defending-human-rights-palestinian
Rep. McCollum writes, “I strongly believe there is a growing consensus among the American people that the Palestinian people deserve justice, equality, human rights, and the right to self-determination. The unprecedented endorsement of this bill by human rights organizations as well as Christian, Jewish, and Muslim organizations is indicative of an energized movement in support of human rights for Palestinians. It is time for Americans, especially Members of Congress, to stand with Palestinians and Israelis who seek a future of peace and justice.”
Dr. Osama Abuirshaid, AMP’s Executive Director, stated on April 16: “Rep. McCollum’s bill is her strongest and most important yet … [It] would end US funding for Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians. This issue is of special concern right now, as Israel’s planned home demolitions in Silwan and evictions in Sheikh Jarrah threaten to forcibly displace nearly 2,000 Palestinians from their Jerusalem homes.
“The bill also shines an important light on the opaque nature of US weapons funding spent on Israel’s domestic weapons manufacturers, providing long-overdue oversight on this important issue. American Muslims for Palestine is honored to advocate on behalf of this legislation and is deeply appreciative of the Congresswoman’s unstinting efforts to promote Palestinian rights and a just peace.” (www.ampalestine.org/newsroom)
KEY WEBSITES, ALLIES, AND RESOURCES: No Way to Treat a Child (scroll and click on “United States—Do Something”), nwttac.dci-palestine.org; News source: Electronic Intifada, electronicintifada.net/tags/child-detention; E.I.’s recent news coverage (which also quotes from Laura Friedman), is at electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/bill-would-block-us-funding-israels-abuse-palestinian-children.