The situation on the ground for Palestinian children is rapidly deteriorating, so CODEPINK has joined our allies at the American Friends Service Committee, Jewish Voice for Peace, and more for a new campaign called No Way to Treat A Child. At the end of February, there were 440 Palestinian children in Israeli military detention. This is the highest number since data became available from the Israel Prison Service in 2008 and the numbers are growing. A report released in April by Defense for Children International - Palestine, based on the testimony of 429 Palestinian children detained by Israeli military or police, found that three-quarters endured some form of physical violence following an arrest.
We need you to take action! Write your members of Congress today and ask them to urge President Obama to appoint a Special Envoy for Palestinian children.
For the first time in nearly four years, Israel has reintroduced the use of administrative detention against children, a procedure whereby a child can be detained without charge or trial indefinitely. To effectively monitor and respond to this crisis, Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum has initiated a letter to President Obama, asking him to appoint a Special Envoy to examine the critical situation of Palestinian children living in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Appointing a Special Envoy will promote greater respect and accountability for the human rights of Palestinian children.
The status quo is not sustainable. Together, we can force the U.S. government to take action to keep the situation from getting worse.
In solidarity,
Alice, Alli, Ariel, Awo, Chelsea, Janet, Jodie, Marwa, Medea, Nancy, Rebecca, Sam and Tighe
