On Sunday, October 8, members of the Advocacy Action Committee will be in the Gallery between services with letters to Representatives Blumenauer and Bonamici asking them to support HR 3103, the Defending the Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act. This would prevent any U.S. funds from supporting the detention of children.

This statement below is part of a resolution that will be brought to the Diocesan convention on October 28 and which reflects a resolution of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

                              “Each year, the Israeli military detains and prosecutes between 500 to 700 Palestinian children. Statistics from studies done by Defense of Children International – Palestine show children are arrested without a warrant, three quarters of them endure some form of physical violence following arrest, 97% have no parent present during interrogation and they are not properly informed of their rights. All are subject to Israeli military law that denies basic and fair trial protection and are prosecuted in Hebrew in an Israeli military court. This experience creates an enduring Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the affected children and their families.”