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8/2 Petition to Biden & U.S. Congress

The most recent report consolidating the testimony with 100 former detainees held without due process in Israel’s military prisons published by Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor further corroborates what has been increasingly clear to anyone paying attention – these prisons are concentration camps where torture is the norm. Children are not exempted from the same acts of violence adults are subjected to. Of the 100 interviewed, 4 are children. I think the facts from the report speak best for themselves, and have included an excerpt to highlight:

“The information gathered leads to the conclusion that the Israeli army routinely and widely commits crimes of arbitrary arrest, enforced disappearance, willful killing, torture, inhumane treatment, sexual violence, and denial of a fair trial…the Israeli army used physical and psychological torture against Palestinian civilian detainees, including…sexual violence, electrocution…[denial of] access to food and medical care, including critical and life-saving care, were spat and urinated upon, and were subjected to other cruel and degrading acts and psychological abuse.”

Even prior to 10/7, Israel has the disturbing record of being the only country in the world that prosecutes a staggering 500 – 700 children in military courts without due process. As of 6/30/24, 209 children are being held in military detention. So far, this represents a 28% increase annually in children held in facilities designated as military prisons. The fact we even have annualized data for this is insane. That only represents a fraction of the total number of children currently subjected to similar detainment, as tho’se are the officially reported numbers for those cited as being detained due to “security”. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society advised that 640 children from the West Bank alone have been detained since 10/7. As of mid June, approximately 240 of those children were still held in detention.

I demand that you: 

– Hold Israel accountable for a permanent, immediate ceasefire, their violations of the Genocide Convention, and gross human rights violations by any means necessary

– Call for the immediate end of Israel’s occupation and apartheid and support Palestinians in their fight for freedom and peace

– Secure the immediate release and safety of all Palestinians who have been abducted and held captive by Israel, including those whose indefinite detention began prior to 10/7

– Permanently end all monetary, diplomatic, and military aid given to Israel and enforce Leahy Law

– Reallocate all funds given to Israel and commit additional resources for ongoing humanitarian relief for Palestinians starting with immediately resuming funding of UNRWA

– Immediately withdraw all U.S. troops, military assets, and all other assets deployed throughout the Middle East and cease all actions that further escalate a larger regional conflict

– Vote no on H.R. 7521 and any similar legislation proposed

SOURCES

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor “Intl. community must uphold its commitments, put an end to the torture of Palestinian detainees and prisoners“

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor “Hostages of Israeli revenge in the Gaza Strip: Torture and inhumane treatment against Palestinian prisoners and detainees“

Save The Children “Life in Gaza: What’s It Like for Children Growing Up in Conflict?“

Save The Children’s 2023 report “Injustice: Palestinian children’s experience of the Israeli military detention system“

Defense for Children International Palestine “Israeli forces detain record number of Palestinian children without charge“

B’tselem “Statistics on Palestinian minors in Israeli custody“

Military Court Watch “Statistics – Palestinian ‘security’ prisoners in Israeli detention“

truthout “Israel Is Currently Imprisoning at Least 240 Children From West Bank, Group Says“