John,

We keep hearing that there’s not enough money to cover needs like healthcare or housing for struggling communities here at home. But last month, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a whopping $770 BILLION defense budget.

I was already planning to vote no. Then, Congressmembers brought up a last-minute measure to give an extra $1 billion in taxpayer dollars to the Israeli military—on top of our annual $4 billion giveaway, which is by far the most assistance the U.S. provides to any country.

As the only Palestinian-American member of Congress, I spoke up against the Israeli government’s decades-long occupation and systematic mistreatment of Palestinians, calling it what it is: apartheid. But for recognizing Palestinians’ basic humanity, I faced attacks from my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Instead of condemning Israel’s human rights abuses, Democrats and Republicans in Congress are condemning me for simply pointing out these abuses.

Can you chip in $5 or more now so I can keep speaking truth to power and securing human rights, freedom, and justice for ALL people?

Chip In Now

In the occupied West Bank, where my grandmother lives, the Israeli government is supporting Israeli settlements that violate international law—displacing Palestinians from their homes through a process of ethnic cleansing.

These Israeli settlers live in the same territory as Palestinians, but are subject to Israeli civil law rather than military rule, use segregated roads where Palestinians are not allowed, and have rights Palestinians don’t, such as freedom of movement and freedom of assembly.

The Israeli government controls and often denies food, water, and health supplies for Palestinians—who have no say in this system.

This year, U.S. and Israeli human rights groups Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem confirmed what Palestinians have been saying for years: This discriminatory treatment qualifies as apartheid.

And as this reality becomes clearer to Americans, polls show that most Americans support treating Israelis and Palestinians as equal citizens. Most Americans and a significant majority of Democrats support conditioning U.S. funding of Israel’s military on whether Israel complies with human rights law.

The taboo against questioning U.S. support for Israel’s military is finally shifting. Now, people on social media can hear directly from Palestinians and see what’s happening on the ground. Palestinians are disenfranchised human beings suffering under an occupation that’s been going on for decades.

More Americans are recognizing that Israelis and Palestinians are equal people entitled to equal rights, and that everyone deserves safety. That’s why there’s a growing movement to ensure that U.S. tax dollars are not used to fund the Israeli military’s human rights abuses.

Unfortunately, people’s representatives in Congress are often out of step with their constituents. Many are unwilling to break with the status quo because they don’t want to take a risk, but I’m here to prove that standing up for Palestinian human rights isn’t a risk at all—and it’s what’s right.

Our campaign has a chance to demonstrate that support for Palestinian human rights is growing. Can you donate $3 or whatever you can afford to signal your support for me and my voice as the only Palestinian-American in Congress?

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Thank you for your partnership,

Rashida

Do not worry if you cannot afford to make a contribution — we understand that this is a difficult time. If you’re struggling, you can find a food bank here. We appreciate everything you do to keep our movement strong. Please stay informed and follow the most up-to-date recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and your state public health department.