Us Congress House Bill HR388

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/10/23
• Refer: 5/10/23

Caption

Recognizing the ongoing Nakba and Palestine refugees rights.

Impact

The resolution aims to spark official recognition and remembrance of the Nakba, thus impacting U.S. foreign policy regarding Israel and Palestine. By encouraging education and advocacy around this topic, HR388 calls on the U.S. government to address the injustices faced by Palestinians and to support their rights as enshrined in international law. Furthermore, it seeks to end U.S. complicity in actions that contribute to the ongoing Nakba, suggesting that current support for Israel's military actions undermines the humanitarian rights of Palestinians.

Summary

House Resolution 388, introduced in May 2023, recognizes the ongoing Nakba—a term that translates to 'catastrophe'—and affirms the rights of Palestinian refugees. The resolution focuses on commemorating the Nakba, which refers to the historical displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the establishment of Israel in 1948. It emphasizes that the Nakba is not merely a historical event but continues to affect the Palestinian people through ongoing violence, illegal settlements, and dispossession by the Israeli government, particularly under the current administration, which has adopted increasingly extreme policies toward Palestinians.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HR388, primarily concerning the responses from different political factions within the United States. Proponents argue that the resolution provides a necessary acknowledgment of historical injustices and calls for a more just and equitable treatment of Palestinian refugees. However, critics, particularly among supporters of the Israeli government, view the bill as an anti-Israel measure that could jeopardize U.S.-Israel relations and fail to promote peace in the region. Furthermore, the resolution's emphasis on international law and human rights may be seen as overly critical of Israel's actions and policies.