A number of lawmakers have come out in support of legislation that seeks to end Israel’s military detention practices against Palestinian children, including New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar.
H.R.2407-the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, was introduced by Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) in April. The legislation would amend a provision in the Foreign Assistance Act to block funding for the military detention of children in any country, including Israel. In a statement regarding the legislation Rep. McCollum wrote, “Israel’s system of military juvenile detention is state-sponsored child abuse designed to intimidate and terrorize Palestinian children and their families. It must be condemned, but it is equally outrageous that U.S. tax dollars in the form of military aid to Israel are permitted to sustain what is clearly a gross human rights violation against children.”
The bill is being cosponsored by a number of Representatives including California’s Barbara Lee, Minnesota’s Ilhan Omar, Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib, Massachusetts’ Ayanna Presley, Washington’s Pramila Jayapal. After Omar said she believed Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez would back the bill on Twitter, the New York Congresswoman indicated that she is excited to also support it. She is now also a cosponsor.