Peace Not Walls Action alert

April, 2016

Urge Members of Congress to support a letter calling for the Leahy Law’s application to Israel and Egypt at the ELCA Action Center!

Ten U.S. representatives and Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont have called for accountability for U.S. military assistance to Israel and Egypt in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry.

The letter, led by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, seeks answers as to how the Leahy Law is applied to the two countries and asks for an examination of specific cases of possible rights violations.

The lawmakers write, “There have been a disturbing number of reports of possible gross violations of human rights by security forces in Israel and Egypt—incidents that may have involved recipients, or potential recipients, of U.S. military assistance. We urge you to determine if these reports are credible and to inform us of your findings.”

The Leahy Law restricts units of foreign forces from receiving U.S. military assistance if there is credible evidence that the unit has committed a gross human rights violation and their government has failed to hold them accountable.

The law should be applied uniformly to all countries. The Foundation for Middle East Peace explains: “The congressional letter expresses concern that Israel and Egypt are not being subjected to the same level of rigorous monitoring applied to other aid recipients. Congressional oversight and a uniform system of monitoring are crucial to ensure that all recipients of U.S. aid are treated fairly and that U.S. foreign aid does not make the United States complicit in human rights violations.”

Besides Johnson and Leahy, the letter is signed by: U.S. Reps. Andrè Carson (Ind.), Sam Farr (Calif.), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), Betty McCollum (Minn.), Jim McDermott (Wash.), James McGovern (Mass.) and Chellie Pingree (Maine).

Take action today to thank your Members of Congress if he or she signed the letter. These lawmakers need to know they have the support of their constituents!

Even if your elected officials did not sign the letter, they need to hear from you. Contact them to draw their attention to the letter and to urge their support for this effort.

For more information:

Leahy asked the State Dept. to investigate Israeli human rights “violations,” Politico, 3/29/16

Senator Patrick Leahy Responds to Prime Minister Netanyahu About the Worldwide Application of the ‘Leahy Law,’ Leahy press release, 3/30/16

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