The immediate cessation of arms sales and transfer of weapons to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is imperative. Since October 2023, Israel has been denying Palestinians access to essential resources such as water, food, fuel, and medicine. This was tragically exemplified on April 4th, 2024, when aid workers attempting to distribute food and water to Gaza residents were indiscriminately killed.

We cannot condone the use of taxpayer money to supply weapons to a country engaged in the killing of innocent children and the deliberate blockade of vital supplies to millions of Palestinians teetering on the edge of famine. The egregious human rights violations committed by the IDF against Palestinians since October 2023 warrant the enforcement of the Leahy laws. Specifically, the cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment outlined in the Leahy vetting policy of the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense.

Moreover, since last October, 140 journalists have been killed in Gaza by the IDF in an attempt to silence those documenting the devastation caused by the Israeli military. Over 30,000 Palestinians, primarily children and women, have lost their lives. With a combined population of 5 million Palestinians residing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, approximately 0.6% have perished under the indiscriminate bombardment by the IDF, much of it facilitated by weaponry supplied by the U.S. According to BBC analysis of satellite imagery, 50-61% of buildings in Gaza have been destroyed, leaving nothing but rubble for the Palestinians who once called it home.

Please, take action now and sign this petition. We support Israel’s right to defend itself and seek the immediate release of hostages. However, we urge an end to the collective punishment of the entire Palestinian population for the cruel and inhumane actions taken by an isolated group of Hamas terrorists.