FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2020
Contact: Sonya E Meyerson-Knox | sonya@jvp.org | 929-290-0317
Washington DC (August 14, 2020): Jewish Voice for Peace Action applauds Representative Betty McCollum (MN-04) for introducing the Israeli Annexation Non-Recognition Act. Days before the Democratic National Convention, where Palestinian voices and rights have been pushed aside, Congressional actions that center rights, dignity, and justice, are more important than ever.
Congresswoman McCollum and the six original co-sponsors, Reps. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Andre Carson (IN-07) are demonstrating the kind of bold progressive leadership we need from Congress to ensure justice and dignity for all Palestinians and Israelis.
The legislation, endorsed by over 30 progressive organizations, sends a uniquely strong message to the Israeli government that Congress will oppose any and all annexation – not just in word, but in deed. The bill condemns annexation of the occupied West Bank as illegal and illegitimate, and calls for a U.S. foreign policy that promotes equality, human rights, and dignity for all Palestinians and Israelis. Most importantly, the bill would prohibit U.S. funds from being used to support annexation of Palestinian land.
“For decades, Palestinians, American Jews and allies have demanded that Congress protect Palestinians from Israel’s systemic abuses – and now progressive leaders are stepping up. This legislation ensures that the U.S. government will reject and never recognize any illegal annexation of Palestinian land by Israel. It’s a critical step toward justice and accountability.”
Stefanie Fox, Executive Director of JVP Action
This bill comes just one day after the Trump administration’s celebration of a hollow “peace” agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that did little more than suspend the threat of de jure annexation, while failing to address the Israeli government’s de facto annexation, apartheid and oppressive rule over the Palestinian people. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu have shown time and again that they are not to be trusted, and the co-sponsors of this bill are drawing a clear line in the sand and promising concrete accountability for the Israeli government’s actions.
“Speaking out for Palestinian rights is increasingly becoming the new standard to meet for progressive leaders in Congress. The Israeli government has wielded apartheid rule over Palestinians for decades and Trump and Netanyahu have made this impossible for U.S. politicians to ignore. These seven representatives are making clear that they will take concrete action to hold Israel accountable for flagrant violations of international law.”
Beth Miller, Government Affairs Manager at Jewish Voice for Peace Action
Endorsing organizations:
Adalah Justice Project; Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Organization; Al-Awda Palestine Right to Return Coalition; American Friends Service Committee; American Muslims for Palestine; American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee; Arab American Institute; Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies; Center for Constitutional Rights; Church World Service; Churches for Middle East Peace; Council on American-Islamic Relations; Defense for Children International – Palestine; Demand Progress; Democratic Socialists of America; Freedom Road Socialist Organization; Friends of Sabeel North America; Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ; IfNotNow; Institute for Policy Studies, New Internationalism Project; Jewish Voice for Peace Action; Joining Hands for Justice, Palestine/Israel; Just Foreign Policy; Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office; Middle East Children’s Alliance; MPower Change; National Council of Churches; National Lawyers Guild – Palestine Subcommittee; New Generation for Palestine; Norwegian Refugee Council; Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace; Presbyterian Church USA; The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society; U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN); U.S. Palestinian Council; U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR); Win Without War
Stefanie Fox and Beth Miller are available to speak with the media
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.