Minute in Support of Human Rights for Palestinian Children and Their Families

Ann Arbor Friends Meeting, October 17, 2021

Spirit leads Ann Arbor Friends Meeting to reaffirm support for the American Friends Service Committee’s No Way to Treat a Child campaign which “seeks to challenge and end Israel’s prolonged military occupation by exposing widespread and systematic ill-treatment of Palestinian children in the Israeli military detention system.” We are saddened by violations of international law by the Israeli military. No child should be denied due process or be tortured.

We join with AFSC’s efforts to support legislation to halt the use of U.S. funds for governmental actions here and worldwide that oppress and cause suffering to children. We applaud AFSC ‘s newly expanded focus opposing the demolition of Palestinian homes, as well, and the displacement of families and annexation of their land–all in violation of international law. This expansion reflects new legislation gaining support in Congress, H.R. 2590, introduced by Representative Betty McCollum of Minnesota.

We are supported by our testimonies of Community, Equality, and Peace in joining hands with AFSC to urge our legislators to co-sponsor HR. 2590.

We look forward to the day when the people of the U.S., Israel, and Palestine can be mutual friends, caring about all children and families, and the land on which they live.