FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 6, 2019
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | sonya@jvp.org | 929-290-0317
This morning, the House of Representatives passed H.Res 326, a hollow and weak resolution that only perpetuates the unjust status quo in Israel/Palestine and provides cover for Israel’s ongoing violations of Palestinian rights. Beth Miller, JVP Action’s Senior Government Affairs Manager said:
“If we want to create the conditions for lasting peace, equality, and justice for all, Congress must embrace a rights-based approach over a predetermined political solution. Instead, H.Res 326 focuses on a two-state solution without acknowledging Israel’s decades-long military occupation, its ongoing violations of Palestinian human rights, or our own government’s role in maintaining the unjust status quo, all of which impede any chance of achieving a just and lasting peace. Today’s resolution sends a message that Congress is entirely unwilling to truly hold Israel accountable for its systematic violations of Palestinian human rights.
“As Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib stated on the House floor this morning, ‘We cannot be honest brokers for peace if we refuse to use the words ‘illegal occupation by Israel’… We must take bolder actions to ensure that human rights are upheld in Israel, and that Palestinians and Black Israelis are treated with the equality every human being deserves.’ We are grateful for progressive leaders in Congress who demonstrated today what it looks like to lead with values and center human rights, including Reps. Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Betty McCollum, and Chuy Garcia.”
JVP Action is an independent, non-partisan, 501(c)(4) organization formed as the political and advocacy arm of Jewish Voice for Peace. JVP Action is building a multiracial, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies to transform U.S. policy towards justice in Israel/Palestine.
Jewish Voice for Peace is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. JVP has over 500,000 online supporters, over 70 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.