We the people call on the United States Secretary of State, in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 (INA), to designate the Israel Defense Force as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) until Palestinians are provided their basic human rights and are no longer subject to the ongoing aggressions from the oppressive regime.

US Department of Defense's definition of terrorism, Per Joint Pub 3-07.2, Antiterrorism, (24 November 2010), the Department of Defense defines it as "the unlawful use of violence or threat of violence to instill fear and coerce governments or societies. Terrorism is often motivated by religious, political, or other ideological beliefs and committed in the pursuit of goals that are usually political."

NATO defines terrorism in the AAP-06 NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions, Edition 2019 as "The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence, instilling fear and terror, against individuals or property in an attempt to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, or to gain control over a population, to achieve political, religious or ideological objectives". 

Through decades of Military Occupation the Israel Defense Force continues to openly commit war crimes of genocide, ethnic-cleansing, and land-theft against the Palestinian people to achieve political, religious, and ideological objectives for Israeli sovereignty over the land. And according to officials; establishment of a Jewish-nation state (1) through an ideological movement known as Zionism. 

More recently, in the Israel Defense Force's ongoing aggressions against the Palestinians there have been clear violations of international law including, but not limited to, the overwhelming majority being civilian casualties including many children (2), the bombardment of homes, media offices (3) and safe-zones like schools and health facilities (4), and restricted access to basic needs like water, food, and electricity (5). 

Due to the nature of the Israel Defense Force's Military Occupation, their ongoing aggressions against the Palestinians, and restrictions on freedom of movement (6); Palestinians living within Palestine are suppressed of basic human rights and are living in a constant state of terror.

We call on the United States Secretary of State to designate the Israel Defense Force as a Foreign Terrorist Organization until Palestinians are provided their basic human rights and are no longer subject to the ongoing aggressions from the oppressive regime.

(1) BBC. (2018, July 19). Jewish nation state: Israel approves controversial bill. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-44881554

(2) Israeli attacks on family homes in Gaza. Amnesty International. (n.d.). https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/05/israelopt-pattern-of-israeli-attacks-on-residential-homes-in-gaza-must-be-investigated-as-war-crimes/.

(3) Al Jazeera. (2021, May 17). UN court pressed to probe Israel strike on media office. Freedom of the Press News | Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/17/ap-amnesty-and-rsf-call-for-icc-probe-over-israeli-strikes

(4) Twaij, A., Journalist, Filmmaker, & Doctor. (2021, May 20). Israel-Gaza cease-fire doesn't mean the IDF should be excused for striking health facilities. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/israel-gaza-cease-fire-doesn-t-mean-idf-should-be-ncna1268034 

(5) United Nations. (n.d.). Israel's violations of human rights regarding water and sanitation in the OPT - Report by Al-Haq and EWASH to CESCR - Non-Un document - Question of Palestine. United Nations. https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-195880/

(6) Restrictions on Movement. B'Tselem. (n.d.). https://www.btselem.org/freedom_of_movement