US rights groups call for halting support for Israel attacks on Palestinians

A number of American human rights and humanitarian groups submitted a petition to the US Senate urging officials to support a resolution aimed at halting Israeli violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories.

The petition calls on the US government to cease funding for Israeli human rights violations, which have recently escalated.

The initiative was spearheaded by US Representative Betty McCollum, who has introduced the ‘Defense for Palestinian Children and Families Act’ in the House of Representatives. According to McCollum’s website: “The legislation prohibits Israel’s government from using U.S. taxpayer dollars in the Occupied West Bank for the military detention, abuse, or ill treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention; the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law; or any assistance or support for unilateral annexation of Palestinian lands in violation of international humanitarian law.”

This, activists said, would safeguard the rights of Palestinians living under occupation and ensure that US taxes are not used to support illegal Israeli practices in the occupied territories.

US aid to Israel currently exceeds $3.8 billion a year.

The petition aims to rally support among senators to take action on this critical issue and support measures that promote justice and human rights in the region.

READ: Palestine urges US intervention to halt Israel assaults