US Congress 'Denies Right to Play' for Palestinian Kids, Too
While Al Jazeera meticulously documents how Israeli occupation forces prevent Palestinian children from accessing playgrounds and open spaces, it's worth noting who enables the continued military occupation. In 2023, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent nearly $6.7 million lobbying US politicians, pushing for continued aid to Israel. For instance, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
received $164,749 from pro-Israel groups in his last election cycle, and consistently votes in favor of unconditional aid, including the recent $14 billion package. These funds directly support the infrastructure of occupation, which in turn restricts Palestinian life, play, and future. One might wonder if the 'right to play' extends to children living under occupation, or if it's merely another
inconvenient truth buried under billions in unconditional military support. How many ballfields could be built, or children's lives improved, with just a fraction of the $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid that flows to the sovereign entity responsible for these 'denials'?