On Sunday, February 9, between the 9:00 and 11:00 am services, the Advocacy Action Committee is asking for signatures on letters to Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici requesting their support of House bill H.R. 2407. If passed, this bill would protect vulnerable communities worldwide by prohibiting the use of U.S. taxpayer funds to contribute to the military detention, interrogation, abuse, or ill-treatment of vulnerable persons, including children. This bill has been welcomed by faith leaders as part of their commitment to protect the vulnerable. A recent letter to the U.S. Congress expressing support for H.R. 2407, was signed by 26 prominent faith leaders, including Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church.

In particular, today’s letter reflects increasing support among people of faith to hold Israel accountable for its treatment of Palestinian children in the Occupied West Bank. As documented by numerous human rights organizations, since the year 2000 an estimated 10,000 Palestinian children between the ages of 12 and 17, have been detained, prosecuted and incarcerated by the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank. Often dragged from their homes in the middle of the night by armed soldiers, they suffer physical and emotional violence and frequently face verbal abuse, humiliation, and intimidation.   (This information provided by the Episcopal Public Policy Network)