KWM / KNOW Activist Advocacy Report
On Wednesday, September 6, four speakers and eight silent witnesses met via zoom with Alec Daman, foreign affairs aide to MI District 4 Rep. Bill Huizenga.
Prior to the meeting KWM and KNOW (Kalamazoo Non-violent Opposition to War) submitted to Alec Daman about 350 signatures on a petition supporting the passage of H.R. 3103. KNOW and KWM have become important partners in this effort!
Speakers: John Kleinheksel, Bart Den Boer, Amy Damashek, and Said Abu Bakr.
Bart framed HR 3103 in the broad terms of “equal human rights for all,” emphasizing the following….
- We acknowledge that Israel is an ally and friend of the U.S. We appreciate and support our friendship and the State of Israel. While it is easy to frame this as an Israeli vs. Palestinian issue, it is also an issue of equal human rights treaties that both Israel and the U.S. have signed on to.
2. What happens when a friend does not honor a basic American value: equal human rights for all?
3. Occupying an entity equal in population and almost as large as the occupied is very challenging. It necessitates tactics that invariably infringe on human rights, including collective and “preventive” punishment.
1. Nighttime home invasions
2. Detention of minors
3. Detention w/o charge, trial, or legal representation for indefinite periods.
4. Lack of freedom of movement within the occupied zone
5. The occupation has been in place now for 56 years.Security for Israeli’s and Palestinians has not appreciably improved regardless of tactics.
4. The United States has no business telling Israel how to conduct its foreign and domestic policy. However, it does have the calling and duty to use our influence to promote equal human rights for all peoples. HR 3103 is a reasonable measure toward that end, preventing U.S. funds from being used to deny human rights to the innocent.
Amy Damashek, a Western Michigan University professor active in the Kalamazoo area Jewish community, referenced home demolition, lack of education, unequal water rights, and child detention, among others violations, and advocated for holding Israel accountable via H.R. 3103.
Said, a Palestinian born WMU professor whose family has personal experience with the Nakba, is seeking justice for the Palestinian people. He referenced the U.S. as a country of law and order and pointed out that it is actually already against U.S. law to support countries that violate human rights. Said asked that we apply U.S. law to friend and foe and alike, noting that the occupation of Ukraine by Russia is no different from that of Palestine by Israel. The U.S. should model “equal human rights morality” to the world.
Alec inquired, “Why are children being detained?”
Said noted that it seems to a means to intimidate the population and gather intelligence. John said, “To instill fear in the populace by taking children away from their parents and holding them for many days without communication.”
John urged Alec to look carefully at the bill, honor American values, and reach across the aisle to support this bill. He noted that hundreds of people in District IV support H.R. 3103 He asked for Alec’s reaction and if Alec had any follow-up questions.
Alec gave a brief overview of Rep. Huizenga’s representation in southwest Michigan, promised to review H.R. 3103 with Rep. Huizenga, also promising that Rep. Huizenga will continue to support all laws preventing senseless violence.
John once again thanked Alec for the meeting. Alec thanked us for meeting with him and cordially signed off.