The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan bill on Thursday night that would enact sanctions on those who use human shields in war.
Introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and other senators, the STOP Using Human Shields Act, if enacted, would impose sanctions on U.S.-designated terrorist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS and Al Qaeda, all of whom use civilians as shields.
“America, Israel and our other allies are engaged in a fight against radical Islamic terrorist organizations, from Hamas and Hezbollah to Al Qaeda and ISIS, who cynically use human shields against us,” Cruz said in a press release with by the offices of the bill’s sponsors.
“Unfortunately, organizations like the United Nations incentivize this barbaric tactic by blaming civilized countries, who do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, for whatever civilian casualties that do occur,” he added. “The United States should hold accountable the monsters who commit these war crimes. This bill will impose consequences on those who enable and facilitate the use of human shields.”
Groups such as the Endowment for Middle East Truth and Christians United for Israel supported the legislation.
“The barbaric terrorist organization Hamas sees all human life as completely disposable,” said EMET. “Hamas regularly uses innocent civilians, including women and children, as ‘human shields’ as a PR tactic against the State of Israel. This abominable tactic must be put to an end.”
“Our team has worked very hard to ensure this legislation moves forward. It is our top priority for the remainder of the year,” said CUFI founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee. “The appalling practice of hiding behind the skirts of women and the bodies of children in order to attack neighboring innocent civilians must be condemned, undermined and thwarted at every turn. I look forward to the House swiftly passing this bill and the president signing it into law.”
