1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

​I am writing as your constituent to urge you to vote NO on H.R. 8800 (National Defense Authorization Act for FY2027), which includes provisions to expand defense integration, joint research, and military assistance with Israel. ​The United States must stop deepening its military alliance with a foreign government that operates an apartheid regime and systematically violates international law. Leading international human rights organizations and legal bodies have documented grave violations across Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon—including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, mass displacement, and acts currently under investigation as genocide. Deepening our military ties with a government that systematically violates international law. Numerous international human rights organizations, United Nations bodies, and legal experts have documented that Israel enforces a system of apartheid against Palestinians. The military campaign in Gaza has resulted in unprecedented civilian casualties, mass displacement, and widespread destruction of vital civilian infrastructure—acts that major international tribunals are currently investigating as war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and potential genocide. Furthermore, expanding military operations into the West Bank and Lebanon demonstrates an escalation that risks dragging the United States into a broader regional conflict. ​Furthermore, continuing military aid to Israel directly violates domestic U.S. law. Under the Leahy Law (22 U.S.C. § 2378d and 10 U.S.C. § 362), the U.S. government is legally prohibited from providing military assistance or weapons to foreign security units credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights. Bypassing or creating exemptions to avoid enforcing these statutory restrictions undermines the rule of law and signals that foreign militaries are exempt from basic human rights standards. ​American foreign policy should uphold international legal frameworks, honor domestic statutes, and respect human rights for all people. ​I ask that you stand for accountability, enforce the Leahy Law, and vote NO on H.R. 8800.