LETTER: Supporting Sen. Welch’s call to prioritize human rights in U.S. support to Israel
July 22, 2026To the Community:
Accountability is a foundational pillar of government that ensures political leaders are fulfilling their duties honorably and legally. As a 14-year-old student from Waterbury, Vermont, observing the political actions of the world today, the thing that frightens me the most is the lack of accountability being taken by the federal government. This lack of accountability is being especially highlighted in the conflicts in the Middle East. The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, requires that any security assistance or arms provided by the United States to any country must advance internationally recognized human rights and avoid identification of the United States with any violations of those rights. The Act prohibits assistance to any government that engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations. The United States continued military and financial support of Israel despite its genocidal actions towards Palestinians and Lebanese people suggests a violation of this policy. In order to uphold the ideals our country was founded on, it is imperative that we hold the government to its own laws and policies. That is why Resolution S. 797, introduced by Sen. Peter Welch, is so important. This act requests a report on Israel’s human rights practices, and questions whether the United States should continue supporting it. Since this is a privileged resolution, Sen. Welch has the ability to force this resolution to a floor vote, which he has not done yet. It is extremely important to me that my Senator sees this resolution through because the obscene acts being committed against innocent people of Gaza and Lebanon are unacceptable and should not be supported by the U.S. This is not just a morally driven opinion, but a fact that, under law, the United States cannot assist governments that continually commit human rights violations. From a young age, children have been given rules to follow and expected to abide by them. It is only right that the federal government is held to these same standards.
Zoya Bianchi
Moretown