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Letter: How will Israel ever be forced to adopt more humane practices toward the Palestinians?

Palestinian woman weeps on a truck as she evacuates a school that had been her shelter, in eastern Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Rep. John Curtis recently traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Certainly, working to free American hostages in Gaza is a noble goal.

However, Israel’s B’Tselem, a human rights organization, released an August report detailing Israel’s abuse of Palestinian prisoners. It’s titled, “Welcome to Hell: The Israeli Prison System as a Network of Torture Camps.” Examples of maltreatment include sexual assault, starvation, humiliation, punishment for religious worship and denial of medical treatment.

This expose is available online and includes video interviews with victims. It should be studied closely by every American.

Israel is the largest recipient of cumulative U.S. foreign aid since its founding. If most members of Congress are not capable of offering strong criticism of Israel regardless of its actions, how will Israel ever be forced to adopt more humane practices toward the Palestinians?

Terry Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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