WILPF US Supports Bill to End Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children

By Jan Corderman
Des Moines Branch and WILPF US Treasurer
 
An estimated 10,000 Palestinian children have been detained by Israeli security forces and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system since 2000. Independent monitors such as Human Rights Watch have documented that these children are subject to abuse and, in some cases, torture—specifically citing the use of chokeholds, beatings, and coercive interrogation on children between the ages of 11 and 15. In addition, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has found that Palestinian children are frequently held for extended periods without access to either their parents or attorneys.
 
Because of these egregious human rights violations, WILPF US Supports H.R.4391—the Promoting Human Rights by Ending Israeli Military Detention of Palestinian Children Act.
 
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn.) introduced the legislation in November, 2017, to prevent United States tax dollars from supporting the Israeli military’s ongoing detention and mistreatment of Palestinian children. “This legislation highlights Israel’s system of military detention of Palestinian children and ensures that no American assistance to Israel supports human rights violations,” McCollum said. “Peace can only be achieved by respecting human rights, especially the rights of children. Congress must not turn a blind eye the unjust and ongoing mistreatment of Palestinian children living under Israeli occupation.”
 
The United States provides an average of $3.8 billion a year to Israel, making it the largest recipient of American aid. HR 4391 requires that the Secretary of State certify that American funds DO NOT support Israel’s military detention, interrogation, abuse or ill-treatment of Palestinian children. 
 
At the request of the Middle East Issue Committee, WILPF US has joined the American Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International USA, Defense for Children International, the Middle East Peace Education Coalition, and others in endorsing the legislation.
 
The Des Moines Branch, along with partner organizations, has been taking this issue to WILPF members and our community to gain passage in the House. Our efforts have included an event featuring Miko Peled, the internationally known Jewish Israeli author of The General’s Son, where we discussed the issue and distributed postcards for our Congressman. We have also been showing the 21-minute documentary, Detaining Dreams (find it at YouTube) and organizing informational rallies. 
 
Let the MidEast Committee Co-Chairs Odile Hugonot Haber and Barbara Taft know if your branch can help.
 
Latest update:
On June 28, Representative Katherine M Clark (D-MA-5) became the 29th co-signer of the bill. See: H.R. 4391 at congress.gov to learn more about the bill and see if your Congressperson has signed on.
 
For more information:
Contact Odile Hugonot Haber odilehh@gmail.com or Barbara Taft beejayssite@yahoo.com.