Introductory Statement on S. 4095

Introductory Statement on S. 4095

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 46 (Thursday, March 12, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S1049] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] By Mr. WELCH (for himself and Mr. Van Hollen): S. 4095. A bill to call for accountability for the killing of innocent civilians, including 5-year-old Hind Rajab and two paramedics, in an attack in Gaza City on January 29, 2024, by Israel Defense Forces, to require the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the attack, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Mr. WELCH. Mr. President, I would like to speak briefly, if I may, on another subject. During the war in Gaza, more than 20,000 children have been killed so far. There have been thousands of atrocities in Gaza. Over 70,000 have died, and even more have been gravely injured. The Israelis' own data shows that the overwhelming majority of the people killed by Israeli forces have been civilians, and it is, regrettably, the highest proportion of civilians to combatants killed in any contemporary conflict. Today, I want to speak about one such case, the killing of Hind Rajab. Hind was the beautiful 5-year-old child whose photograph you see here next to me. ``Hind,'' by the way means ``hope.'' Hind's death is the subject of a film that has been nominated for an Academy Award on Sunday. The film follows the killing of Hind, the killing of her four cousins, her aunt, her uncle, and two paramedics who were sent to rescue her. It does feature a recording of Hind's voice pleading for help that never arrives. It is a virtual certainty that the weapons and ammunition provided by American taxpayer dollars were used in this crime. We know this based on forensic investigation of her family's car, where 335 bullet holes were counted. Despite requests from the Biden State Department, Israel has produced no evidence that it has held anyone accountable for this atrocity. That is why today I am introducing the Justice for Hind Rajab Act, along with my colleague in the House of Representatives, Representative Sara Jacobs of California. Our bill raises a simple question. Something must be done about this crime. The U.S. Government must--must--do its part to hold those responsible accountable as some small measure of justice for the thousands of children who have been killed in this war and that continues to this day. ____________________

Referenced legislation: S4095