Accountability and Transparency for U.S. Citizens Serving in the IDF
61 so far! Help us get to 100 signers!
We, the undersigned, call upon the U.S. government to urgently investigate and address the alarming issue of U.S. citizens serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Thousands of U.S. citizens, including dual U.S.-Israeli citizens, have served in the IDF and have returned to live in American communities after participating in military operations. Credible evidence suggests that some of these individuals may have been involved in activities constituting war crimes under international law, inside Occupied Palestinian Territories. By actively playing a role in civilian casualties and destruction, and this issue demands immediate, thorough scrutiny.
Earlier this year, an attack on Columbia University students protesting for Palestinian rights, carried out by ex-IDF soldiers, underscores the dangers posed by individuals who have served in foreign militaries and returned without facing any accountability. https://middleeasteye.net/news/columbia-university-students-furious-skunk-water-attack-protesters
Despite these concerning realities, the U.S. has seemingly normalized the involvement of its citizens in a foreign military, even when those actions directly conflict with American values of human rights and justice. Why are individuals who have participated in documented military operations, potentially committing war crimes, allowed to return to American communities without investigation?
This lack of accountability not only contradicts our national principles but also poses a direct threat to our security and moral standing, especially since U.S. law already considers voluntary service in foreign militaries a potential conflict with national security.
Our Demands:
1. A comprehensive investigation into all U.S. citizens and dual citizens who have served in the IDF, focusing on their involvement in potential war crimes and human rights violations.
2. Immediate revocation of U.S. citizenship for those found to have engaged in or supported such violations, in accordance with U.S. laws.
3. Increased accountability for Israel’s military actions through diplomatic and legal channels, using the evidence gathered from these investigations.
4. Full transparency and regular updates on the status of investigations, ensuring that those who served in foreign militaries and are implicated in violations are closely monitored upon their return.
It is both a matter of national security and a moral imperative that the U.S. government ensures its citizens are not participating in foreign military actions that violate international law. The presence of individuals potentially involved in war crimes in our communities without scrutiny poses a serious threat to our safety and values.
We urge you to act swiftly and decisively in addressing these critical concerns.
References
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/byjdw4fb6
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/americans-serving-in-israeli-army/
https://kcnfdc.com/blog/bearing-arms-for-a-foreign-country/