[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Justice For All expresses deep appreciation for the introduction of the Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, also known as H.R. 3103, by U.S. Representative Betty McCollum on May 5, 2023. This landmark legislation represents a pivotal step towards advancing justice, equality, and human rights for Palestinian children and families affected by the Israeli military occupation. The bill's provisions, which prohibit the allocation of U.S. taxpayer funds to support human rights abuses in the occupied West Bank, demonstrate a firm commitment to upholding fundamental principles of fairness and accountability.
The bill also proposes the annual submission of Compliance and non-Compliance certificates for the provisions by the U.S. Secretary of State. This certification process adds a crucial layer of accountability and ensures that U.S. taxpayer funds are not used in support of actions that infringe upon Palestinian rights. By mandating transparency in the expenditure of U.S. foreign aid by Israel, the bill seeks to bring Israel's spending in line with the same reporting requirements expected of other recipient countries.
By addressing critical issues such as the military detention and mistreatment of Palestinian children, the confiscation and demolition of Palestinian property, and the violation of international humanitarian law through unilateral annexation, this legislation seeks to hold Israeli authorities accountable for their actions. We commend Congresswoman McCollum for her unwavering dedication to safeguarding the rights of Palestinian children and families and for her persistent efforts to ensure that U.S. funds do not contribute to human rights violations. The inclusion of annual certification and reporting obligations for the Secretary of State, along with the requirement for oversight reporting on the Israeli government's human rights violations, are crucial measures that promote transparency and accountability.
As an organization devoted to justice and human rights, Justice For All believes that this bill sets a significant precedent in advocating for the rights of Palestinian children and families living under Israeli military occupation. It sends a powerful message that U.S. taxpayer funds should never support actions that infringe upon the basic human rights of any individual, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity. Justice For All stands in solidarity with those impacted by the Israeli military occupation and remains steadfast in our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their background. We will continue to support endeavors that advance justice, equality, and human rights, and we hope that Canadian policymakers will join us in this critical endeavor.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="20px"][vcex_heading text="Support H.R. 3103" font_weight="bold"][vc_empty_space height="5px"][vcex_button url="https://jfadev.biggorillaagency.com/palestine/call-congress-to-protect-the-human-rights-of-palestinian-children/" layout="expanded" size="large" font_weight="bold" target="blank" font_family="Montserrat"]Take Action[/vcex_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]