Congresswoman Betty McCollum has introduced the “Defending the Human Rights of Palestinian Children and Families Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act” (H.R. 3103) to prohibit Israel from using U.S. taxpayer dollars on the military detention, abuse or ill-treatment of Palestinian children in Israeli military detention; to support the seizure and destruction of Palestinian property and homes in violation of international humanitarian law; or on any support or assistance for Israel’s unilateral annexation of Palestinian territory in violation of international humanitarian law.

We have been made aware that one of the cosponsors of the above anti-Israel legislation is our own Congressman Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10). In the past Representative Payne has been a supporter of Israel in Congress, and we are disappointed by his support of this legislation. We have been told that Representative Payne is interested in hearing from his constituency on this matter, and therefore we implore each member of the West Orange shuls community to call the Representative’s office in Washington at 202-225-3436. It is critical for Rep. Payne to hear how our community feels about this legislation, which may have a devastating impact on Congressional funding of Israel, in the present as well as the future.

May Hashem continue to watch over the State of Israel and the Jewish people. May we do our small part by making our voices heard.