Palestinian youth looking through the metal wires after being arrested by Israel forces [File photo], Rep. Maxine Waters
Israel, the playground bully, incarcerates hundreds of Palestinian children every year, and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) is saying, “not with American tax dollars you don’t!”
by Kathryn Shihadah
Maybe Rep. Maxine Waters thinks it’s no big deal, or maybe she hoped to stay somewhat anonymous, but If Americans Knew can’t hold back. We’re thrilled to hear that Ms. Waters is the latest cosponsor of H.R.2407, No Way To Treat A Child! This important bill has one simple objective: to stop Israel from spending American aid money to incarcerate and torture children.
This is a big deal. Rep. Waters is only the 23rd legislator to cosponsor this bill. Just 23 out of 435 have the courage to stand up for children who have lived their entire lives under brutal occupation in an apartheid regime.
Why 95% of our representatives will not support this bill is a mystery. Children are children, regardless of party lines. And Palestinians are people with hopes and aspirations just like everyone else. For many years, our media has been less than truthful about the Israel/Palestine issue – and children are now paying the price for the American public’s misperceptions on this topic, and the deadly policies our politicians have created.
Rep. Waters knows a bully when she sees one: she recently scolded President Trump for slashing food stamp funding and for his tirade against the young climate activist, Greta Thunberg.
Melania, we agree. Children are off limits. Tell your husband to #bebest and go enroll himself in anger management instead of attacking such a brilliant and courageous teenager fighting for climate change. @GretaThunberg we got your back!
— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) December 12, 2019
…and she is willing to go out on a limb to help the marginalized:
We cannot wait any longer to address the homelessness crisis in America. In October, I introduced a bill with @RepMaxineWaters to invest $13 billion to eradicate chronic homelessness across the country. Congress must pass it immediately. https://t.co/0IWP3MlXAL
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) December 17, 2019
…so it makes perfect sense that Ms. Waters would get on board with H.R.2407. We’re so glad she did.
Take a moment to call (202)-225-2201 or (323) 757-8900, or email, or tweet @RepMaxineWaters your appreciation for her courageous action!
And check out resources from If Americans Knew to help you advocate for Palestinian children – you can turn your Congress member around too.
Kathryn Shihadah is staff writer for If Americans Knew. She blogs at Palestine Home.
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