May, 21 2021, 12:00am EDT
Human Rights and Press Freedom Groups Call on Rep Gregory Meeks (D-WA) to Stop Weapons Sale to Israeli Government Following Attacks on Associated Press and Al Jazeera Offices in Gaza
Following the Israeli military's bombing of offices of international press outlets including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, an effort has emerged in Congress to block a planned $735 million weapons sale to the Israeli government, led by Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).
WASHINGTON
Following the Israeli military's bombing of offices of international press outlets including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, an effort has emerged in Congress to block a planned $735 million weapons sale to the Israeli government, led by Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.).
But realistically for the effort to move forward, it would need the support of the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair by Rep Gregory Meeks (D-NY). Today, human rights and press freedom organizations Fight for the Future, Freedom of the Press Foundation, MediaJustice, MPower Change, and National Lawyers Guild issued the following joint statement:
Freedom of the press is an essential human right. The Israeli military's bombing of international press offices actively interfered with the ability of journalists to document the situation on the ground in Gaza, including their ability to document human rights abuses and potential war crimes. Especially in light of numerous reports of social media censorship targeting Palestinians, it's crucial that reporters in Gaza are able to do their jobs safely and without military interference.
The U.S. government should not be selling weapons to a government that has shown repeatedly it will use them to attack media outlets and journalists. As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep Gregory Meeks must allow a vote on the proposal to halt the arms deal. If he fails to do so, he's actively working against freedom of the press, democracy, and human rights around the globe.
Fight for the Future is a group of artists, engineers, activists, and technologists who have been behind the largest online protests in human history, channeling Internet outrage into political power to win public interest victories previously thought to be impossible. We fight for a future where technology liberates -- not oppresses -- us.
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"In 2024, these billionaire families used their enormous wealth to make record-breaking political contributions to secure a GOP trifecta," reads a new report.
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"Trump and his allies in Congress are doing their donors' bidding by rigging the system in their favor and pushing a $4 trillion giveaway to wealthy elites and giant corporations."
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"The vast wealth inherited by centuries-old billionaire families is staggering. While these heirs and their billions go undertaxed, enormous sums are squandered on lavish mansions, private jets, and vanity projects instead of funding crucial public investments," said ATF executive director David Kass. "In 2024, these billionaire families used their enormous wealth to make record-breaking political contributions to secure a GOP trifecta. Now, Trump and his allies in Congress are doing their donors' bidding by rigging the system in their favor and pushing a $4 trillion giveaway to wealthy elites and giant corporations—all while advocating for cuts to vital programs that working and middle-class Americans depend on."
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Under the bill, the estate tax exemption would be lowered to $7 million per couple and the current 40% flat rate would be replaced with a sliding scale that would charge higher rates as a family's wealth grows.
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The Wall Street Journalreported Thursday that members of Trump's transition team and the new Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency have asked nominees under consideration to head the FDIC and OCC if the bank watchdogs could be eliminated and have their functions absorbed by the Treasury Department, which is set to be run by a billionaire hedge fund manager and crypto enthusiast.
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