Congresswoman Betty McCollum of Minnesota will introduce a bill that would restrict Israel from using US funds to violate Palestinians’ rights, official Palestinian Authority news agency Wafa reported.
Palestinian institutions have launched a pressure campaign to communicate with Congress members to sign the bill, which is backed by major and active US sectors and organizations, Wafa noted.
McCollum issued a statement on Thursday after introducing the “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.”
McCollum’s legislation prohibits Israel from using US taxpayer dollars in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem for the military detention, abuse, or ill-treatment of Palestinian minors in Israeli military detention.
It also bans supporting the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law or extending any assistance or support for Israel’s unilateral annexation of Palestinian territory in violation of international humanitarian law.
In a separate letter, she called on Congress members “who are committed to promoting human rights, peace, and justice for the Palestinians” to endorse this bill.
The legislation is highly supported by representatives of coalitions that include dozens of US churches, the J Street group, Jewish Voice for Peace Action, and several Palestinian-US institutions.
These organizations include the “Adalah Justice Project” and the “Human Rights Organization for Palestine,” as well as Muslim organizations, such as the “American Muslims for Palestine.”
Palestinian institutions operating in the US support McCollum. The Palestinian American Council has recently organized a fundraising campaign for her re-election.
The Council’s administrative board member, Sinan Shakdeeh, has revealed that an event will be held to push for enforcing the bill and convince other congress members to sign it.
This was agreed upon during a meeting held last week between Palestinian institutions and McCollum’s political advisors.
