A resolution requesting information on Israel's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Bill Number: S.Res. 852
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-09-29: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 252. (consideration: CR S5158-5159)
Last Updated: 2026-10-06T11:29:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This resolution requests that the Secretary of State provide an unclassified statement to Congress on Israel's human rights practices in the West Bank. It focuses on the treatment of United States citizens and Palestinian children, particularly regarding killings, detentions, and accountability for violence by Israeli security forces or settlers. The request is made under existing authority in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Key Provisions

The statement must be submitted within 30 days of the resolution's adoption and prepared with input from the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and the Office of the Legal Adviser.
It requires detailed information on the killings of nine named United States citizens since January 2022, including the status of investigations, evidence collected, potential suspects, Israeli actions taken, and any related diplomatic communications.
The statement must assess whether the responsible individuals or units could be linked to restrictions on United States foreign assistance under existing laws.
It calls for a list and description of all United States citizens held in Israeli prisons, covering conditions, visits by embassy officials, reports of mistreatment, and charges.
The statement must cover the human rights situation for Palestinian children in Israeli military detention, including numbers detained, charges, access to attorneys, reports of mistreatment, and comparisons to United States juvenile detention standards.
It requires details on steps the United States government has taken to promote human rights, mitigate violence, urge accountability, and discourage rights violations.
The term "gross violations of internationally recognized human rights" is defined by reference to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution introduces no changes to existing law. It relies on current provisions in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to request information but does not amend any statutes or alter legal requirements.

Potential Impacts

On government agencies: It may require additional reporting and coordination by the Department of State and potentially the Department of Justice, which could increase administrative workload.
On citizens: It highlights cases involving United States citizens killed or detained in the West Bank, potentially leading to greater transparency for affected families.
On international relations: The request could influence United States diplomatic engagement with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and it may affect decisions on foreign assistance if credible human rights concerns are identified.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Families of United States citizens killed or detained in the West Bank.
Palestinian children and families in the West Bank subject to Israeli military detention.
The Department of State and other United States agencies involved in foreign assistance and human rights reporting.
The Israeli government and security forces.
Nongovernmental organizations focused on human rights in the region.
Members of Congress and the executive branch.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The resolution operates within the separation of powers by using a congressional request mechanism under the Foreign Assistance Act, without compelling action beyond information sharing.
It references laws that tie foreign assistance to human rights compliance, which could have implications for United States aid policies if the requested information indicates violations.
Politically, it addresses a pattern of violence and lack of accountability, which may heighten scrutiny on United States-Israel relations and ongoing conflicts in the West Bank.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Cosponsors (25)

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI], Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

Recent Actions

2026-09-29: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 51. Record Vote Number: 252. (consideration: CR S5158-5159) (Roll call 252)
2026-09-29: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations made. (Pursuant to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961).
2026-09-14: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S4675-4677)
2026-09-14: Submitted in Senate

Bill Versions

Requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. — issued 2026-09-14 — PDF (13 pages)