Washington, D.C., July 29, 2014—Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) joined House colleagues in a letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, condemning Hamas’ use of human shields amid the violence between Israel and Gaza.

“Hamas’ continued use of civilians as human shields is a direct violation of international law,” the letter reads. “In addition to embedding its terrorist infrastructure within civilian populations, Hamas officials are encouraging civilians to ignore Israel’s warnings of incoming strikes and stay in their homes.”

“Simply put, Hamas intentionally puts Palestinian lives in harm’s way and wants its own people to be killed rather than heed warnings to seek safety.”

“Any nation or multilateral body that values human rights must condemn the use of civilians as human shields,” the letter continues. “This is the effort the United Nations should be leading and you should be speaking out against.”

The letter can be read in its entirety, here.

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BACKGROUND: Rep. David Schweikert is a long time supporter of Israel and its independence. He is an original cosponsor of H. Res. 657, which expresses the United States’ support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization. The entire Resolution can be read here.