CMEP Action Alert: Tell Congress to stand up for Palestinian Children
Imagine a boy about ten years old from your family, neighborhood or church playing with friends outside his house and then suddenly dragged away by soldiers. Worried, you and other family members call local police stations trying to locate him, but are unsuccessful. Hours later the police call and let you know where he is but they refuse release him into your custody until the next day. Now, the happy playful child you knew is gone replaced by a traumatized little boy who has nightmares at night and is afraid to play outside during the day.
This story is based on the lived experience of too many Palestinian children and their families.
Each year around 500-700 Palestinian children are arrested, detained and prosecuted in the Israeli military court system.
Tell Congress you expect Israel to respect and protect the rights of ALL children,
Palestinian and Israeli, under their control.
UNICEF officials are in dialogue with Israeli authorities about the rights of Palestinian children in military detention. Dialogue is a positive first step but as long as Palestinian children continue to have their basic human rights violated by the Israeli military system more must be done.
Urge your Members of Congress to join Representative Betty McCollum in signing the letter to Secretary of State John Kerry asking the State Department to make the human rights of Palestinian children a priority in the United States’ relationship with Israel.
Click here to send a letter to your representative.