Washington, June 10 (SANA) Human rights organizations and activists in the United States have launched a lobbying campaign urging Congress to take a tougher stance on Israeli settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank, according to the Palestinian media.
Campaign organizers called on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to support measures aimed at protecting Palestinians, oppose settlement expansion and hold individuals involved in attacks against Palestinians accountable, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.
According to WAFA, the campaign also urged lawmakers to reject legislation that would expand U.S.-Israeli military cooperation and to support sanctions against settlers accused of carrying out violent attacks in the West Bank.
Organizers said continued settlement activity and violence threaten prospects for peace and contribute to worsening conditions for Palestinians living in the territory.
The campaign was launched following the death of a seven-month-old Palestinian infant in the city of Hebron, an incident that drew condemnation from rights groups and activists advocating for Palestinian rights.
Campaign organizers said the case reflects a broader increase in violence affecting Palestinians in the West Bank.
Palestinian officials and human rights organizations have repeatedly said that Israeli forces and settlers were carrying out attacks against Palestinian communities, including assaults, damage to agricultural land, restrictions on access to farmland and the demolition of homes and other structures.
The campaign comes amid growing international scrutiny of conditions in the West Bank and continued debate in Washington over U.S. policy toward Israel and the Palestinians.
R.D/ABD
