Advocates want White House to look into Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Amid mounting evidence of Israel’s potential violations of legal standards and its promises to the U.S. during its military offensive in Gaza, over 20 foreign policy and human rights groups have banded together to urge President Joe Biden and his administration to halt the shipment of weapons to Israel and conduct a public review of Israeli conduct.
In a letter addressed to President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other high-ranking officials, various advocacy groups and humanitarian organizations have come together to express their concerns about the U.S.’s ongoing support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The signatories include prominent organizations such as the Center for Civilians in Conflict and Refugees International.
The letter emphasizes the need for a reassessment of the U.S.’s policy of providing military aid to Israel in light of National Security Memorandum 20 (NSM-20), a policy directive issued by President Biden in February. NSM-20 requires the State Department and Pentagon to investigate whether countries receiving American arms are using them in ways that violate international law, particularly by causing harm to civilians.
Despite the release of an NSM-20 probe in May that raised concerns about Israel’s use of American weapons in Gaza, the letter argues that the humanitarian situation in Gaza has only worsened since then. The signatories urge the Biden administration to conduct a new assessment of Israel’s compliance with NSM-20 and reconsider the decision to continue military support.
The timing of the letter is significant, coming on the heels of Britain’s decision to halt the sale of certain military supplies to Israel due to concerns about potential violations of international humanitarian law. The move by the U.K. may increase pressure on the Biden administration to reevaluate its support for Israel.
Amidst these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s reluctance to agree to a cease-fire in Gaza has raised concerns about the ongoing hostilities and potential violations of international law. The letter urges the U.S. to exert more pressure on Israel to comply with global standards governing warfare.
The advocates for a change in the U.S.’s policy highlight various reports and research findings that suggest Israeli conduct in Gaza is not in line with American expectations. Issues such as the severe restrictions on relief aid entering Gaza, attacks on aid workers, and allegations of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees by Israeli authorities are raised in the letter.
The signatories also warn of potential legal implications for American officials who continue to support Israel despite allegations of violations of international law. International bodies such as the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court have issued directives related to Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories, raising concerns about complicity in potential war crimes.
The advocacy groups behind the letter, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, stress the urgency of reevaluating the U.S.’s military support for Israel in light of the civilian suffering in Gaza. They argue that continued weapons shipments to Israel are at odds with the reality on the ground and call for a shift in U.S. policy to prioritize adherence to international law and protection of civilians.
