Become a citizen cosponsor of H.R. 2407

On April 30, 2019, Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) introduced H.R. 2407, the "Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act," a bill prohibiting U.S. taxpayer funding for the military detention of children by any country, including Israel.

The bill amends Section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2378d) commonly known as the ‘‘Leahy Law’’ by adding a new subsection that includes a generally applicable limitation prohibiting U.S. military aid from being used by foreign armed forces to support the military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill-treatment of children in violation of international humanitarian law.

Please join us in signing on as a citizen co-sponsor of this groundbreaking legislation.

Palestinian child detainees in military detention

Israel has the dubious distinction of being the only country in the world that systematically prosecutes children in military courts that lack fundamental fair trial rights and protections.

Israel military authorities prosecute an estimated 500 to 700 Palestinian children in military courts each year.

Nearly three out of four Palestinian children experience some form of physical violence after arrest.

Children typically arrive to interrogation bound, blindfolded, frightened, and sleep deprived.

Children often give confessions after verbal abuse, threats, and physical and psychological violence that in some cases amounts to torture.

Israeli military law provides no right to legal counsel during interrogation.

Regardless of guilt or innocence, children in conflict with the law are entitled to special protections and all due process rights under international law, including an absolute prohibition on torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

Click here to read more about the bill »