As Israel is continuing its decades-long moves to annex land in the Occupied West Bank, some members of Congress, including our own Rep. Ayanna Pressley, have taken a stand against US funding for this illegal activity.

Call on other members of Congress to join them!

H.R.8050 – The Israeli Annexation Non-Recognition Act, filed this Summer by Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum and now with 11 cosponsors, is the first measure in Congress which declares unequivocally that the US will not recognize or fund Israeli annexation of occupied territory.

The summary of HR 8050 states: “This bill prohibits a federal department or agency from recognizing, or implying recognition of, any claim by Israel of sovereignty over any part of the occupied West Bank in violation of international humanitarian law or customary international law. Further, it prohibits the use of certain federal funds to support specified activities in West Bank territory that has been unilaterally annexed by Israel or to facilitate or support such annexation. The Department of State must make an annual certification regarding any obligation or expenditure of such funds to Israel for these purposes.”

Formal (de jure) annexation, like permanent occupation, is illegal under international law.

Yet Israel formally annexed West Jerusalem and Syria's Golan Heights, and its taking of Palestinian land for Jewish settlements during more than half a century is also illegal under international law. Instead of imposing sanctions, the US has given over $300 billion in aid to Israel (in 2019 dollars).

HR 8050, like the previously filed H.R.2407 - Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act, is an important step in holding Israel accountable for its violations of international law and abuse of US funding.