Don’t Encourage US Citizens to Serve in the IDF; Vote No on H.R.8445

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen to express my strong opposition to H.R. 8445. This bill proposes to treat the service of a U.S. citizen in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as equivalent to service in the uniformed services of the United States. I firmly believe that this is an inappropriate and unjustifiable equivalence. The uniformed services of the United States, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, operate under a strict code of conduct and are accountable to U.S. laws and principles, including the Constitution and international human rights standards. In contrast, the Israeli Defense Forces operate under the policies and directives of the Israeli government, which have frequently been criticized for human rights violations, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territories. Equating service in the IDF with service in the U.S. military undermines the values and standards upheld by our own armed forces. It also sets a dangerous precedent by potentially normalizing and legitimizing actions that are inconsistent with U.S. principles and international law. I urge you to vote against H.R. 8445 and to stand up for the integrity and distinctiveness of our uniformed services. The service of U.S. citizens in foreign militaries should not be conflated with service in our own military, and such a move would not serve the best interests of our nation or its values. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I trust that you will consider my concerns and take a stand against this misguided legislation.