Faith-based communities and organizations are key partners and supporters of the #nowaytotreatachild campaign. They educate their communities about Palestinian children’s experiences in military detention through film screenings and speaker events, by organizing conferences, and bringing delegations to Palestine to expose individuals to the reality of life under Israeli military occupation.

They’ve built broad-based coalitions with faith-based and other organizations in support of the #nowaytotreatachild campaign and organized constituents to advocate for H.R. 4391 and H.R. 2407. In September 2018, 24 religious leaders spearheaded a letter to the cosponsors of H.R. 4391 expressing their support for the legislation and thanking the members of Congress for their cosponsorship. In November 2019, 26 religious leaders reaffirmed their support for H.R. 2407 in another letter.

An increasing number of faith-based communities are bringing ill-treatment of Palestinian child detainees by Israeli forces to their national conferences. Several have passed resolutions in support of the #nowaytotreatachild campaign and in solidarity with Palestinian child detainees.

Below is a timeline of resolutions relating to Palestinian child detention passed by national faith conferences. 

Has your faith community passed a resolution in solidarity with Palestinian child detainees that is not on the list? Let us know!

Contact us at [email protected]!

2019

Christian Faith Leaders support H.R. 2407

On November 20, 2019, Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN) and Christian faith leaders participated in a congressional briefing hosted by American Friends Service Committee as part of the No Way to Treat a Child campaign to highlight the “Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.”

On November 18, 2019, 26 religious leaders signed a letter to Congress in support of H.R. 2407. Their letter is a sign of the growing support for this bill and efforts to hold Israel accountable for its treatment of Palestinian children. If you are a Christian faith leader that would like to add your name to the letter click here.

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association endorses H.R. 2407

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association endorsed H.R. 2407, issuing a statement of support in October 2019.

I spoke on the House Floor to thank the 300+ @ReconRabbis for endorsing #HR2407. This sends a signal to people of all faiths—that every child deserves to be treated with dignity & respect, including Palestinian children.

Children’s rights are human rights. #NoWayToTreatAChild pic.twitter.com/rzVZvWEC8k

— Rep. Betty McCollum (@BettyMcCollum04) October 30, 2019

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America passes action in support of NWTTAC

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Churchwide Assembly approved Assembly Action Category B2: Palestine (No Way to Treat a Child). 

Alliance of Baptists pass resolution in support of NWTTAC

The Alliance of Baptists passed a child protection resolution, Children in Detention, at its National Convention. 

2018

Episcopal Church passes resolution in support of NWTTAC

The General Convention of the Episcopal Church passed Resolution 2018-C038, Safeguard the Rights of Palestinian Children. 

2017

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) & United Church of Christ pass resolutions in support of NWTTAC

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) passed GA-1719, A Call for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to Advocate for the Rights of Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation.

The General Synod 31 of the United Church of Christ passed A Call for the United Church of Christ to Advocate for the Rights of Children Living Under Military Occupation.

2016

Presbyterian Church (USA) passes assembly action in support of NWTTAC

The 222nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) passed Item 08-02 On Advocating for the Safety and Well-being of Children of Palestine and Israel -- From the Synod of the Covenant. 

2014

Presbyterian Church (USA) passes assembly action in support of NWTTAC

The 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church - USA passed Item 04-12 On Reaffirming the Rights of Children and Attention to VIolence Against Children in Israel and Palestine.