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119-s-4095119th Congress

Justice for Hind Rajab Act

Sponsored By: Senator Welch, Peter [D-VT]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a U.S. process to pursue _war crimes accountability_ for the January 29, 2024 Gaza City attacks attributed to the Israel Defense Forces. It links findings about U.S.-origin weapons, U.S. citizens, or U.S.-trained personnel to mandatory referrals, reporting, and evidence preservation for use in courts.

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  • Hind Rajab’s family and the families of two Palestine Red Crescent paramedics would be urged to receive acknowledgment, apology, and compensation, and the State Department should provide compensation if U.S.-origin weapons were involved.
  • The Secretary of State would have 30 days to certify whether credible information indicates possible war crimes involving U.S.-origin arms, U.S. citizens, or U.S.-trained personnel. That certification would trigger a referral to the Attorney General, who would review and, as appropriate, open investigations and prosecutions under 18 U.S.C. 2441.
  • Within 45 days the State Department, with the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense, would report on the incident’s facts, including which Israeli units were involved, use of U.S.-provided weapons, U.S. training links, and whether Leahy Law checks were performed. The bill directs U.S. agencies to collect and preserve evidence and to support accountability in domestic, foreign, and international courts.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Collect and Preserve War‑crime Evidence

If enacted, the bill would direct U.S. agencies to collect, preserve, and analyze evidence about possible war crimes and atrocities in the Israel‑Hamas war, including the January 29, 2024 Gaza City attacks. The Attorney General would be empowered to lead investigations of credible allegations, including allegations against U.S. citizens, under U.S. war‑crimes law (18 U.S.C. 2441). The bill would say willful killing of protected persons can be treated as grave breaches and, if widespread, as crimes against humanity. Federal agencies would coordinate evidence for use in U.S., foreign, and international courts.

Require State Department DOJ Referrals

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of State to certify to Congress within 30 days if credible information shows the January 29, 2024 attacks could be war crimes and involved U.S.‑origin weapons, U.S. citizens, or U.S.‑trained personnel. If that certification is made, the Secretary must refer the findings to the Attorney General within 15 days. The Attorney General would have to certify within 30 days that the Department of Justice will review any referral and, where within U.S. jurisdiction, open investigations and prosecutions under 18 U.S.C. 2441. These reports and certifications must go to the relevant Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, Armed Services, and Intelligence committees in both chambers of Congress.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Welch, Peter [D-VT]

VT • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

    VT • I

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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