Freezing Offensive Weapons to Israel is Not Unprecedented!
Nicholas A. Owoyemi
Global Moderates Forum, Inc., D/B/A/ Moderate Voices of America.
Given the past U.S. presidents' actions to dissuade Israel's intransigence, it is an absurdity to hear some Republican lawmakers using the word "unprecedented" to describe Biden's action to freeze arms to Israel, prevent further unlawful use of those massive, deadly MK-84 (2000-pound) bombs on noncombatants of the war as if it had never happened before in the U.S.-Israeli relations. Those Republicans are either hypocritical, naive, or ignorant of history.
The American political system has created a complex and often challenging environment for those who wish to criticize Israel's actions against the Palestinians openly. Unfortunately, such criticisms are frequently met with accusations of anti-Semitism, making it difficult to have a robust and honest public debate about Israel's human rights record. This environment can make it even more challenging to scrutinize Israel's actions in the same way that we would other countries, which can create an unequal and unfair system of discourse.
The Jewish community's active involvement in American politics profoundly influences policies that affect their community and the wider society. Despite discrimination and anti-Semitism, they remain resilient and advocate for policies that benefit everyone. Their participation is commendable, and they shape policies that impact their lives and the lives of others.
However, lobbying organizations that advocate for unwavering U.S. support for Israeli policies can be effective in punishing critical politicians. Consequently, some politicians fear being called anti-Semitic or opposed to Israel's existence if they criticize Israel's treatment of Palestinians. So, they disregard Israel's misdeeds for their political self-preservation. This notion can silence dissenting voices and lead to backlash.?
Indeed, the situation in Gaza and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict is profoundly complex and has far-reaching humanitarian implications. The evolution of public perception towards Israel's treatment of Palestinians over the last decade is noteworthy. This shift in public opinion reflects a growing awareness of the complexities and injustices involved in this long-standing conflict, emphasizing the viewpoints of younger generations, such as millennials; it is a Pandora's box.
Israeli-Palestinian conflict discourse on university campuses is evolving. Some pro-Israel lawmakers have tried to limit criticism of Israel in academic settings. Inadvertently, their attempts that may have galvanized activism and increased demonstrations as students responded to perceived threats to their rights and freedoms fueled greater activism and public awareness of the underlying issues.
On October 7, 2023, following Hamas attacks, President Biden traveled to Israel to express solidarity with the country but also urged caution to Netanyahu, advising against overreacting and making the same mistakes as the U.S. in Afghanistan. He recognized that Hamas is an idea that has taken root in the minds of many Palestinians, making it difficult to eliminate permanently with military force. Nonetheless, President Biden affirmed Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism.?
Unfortunately, instead of solely targeting the Hamas leadership, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has resulted in a devastating impact on innocent noncombatant civilians and utter destruction of?critical infrastructure, creating an unprecedented human catastrophe.
The Israel-Hamas war has been raging on for over seven months now. It has caused significant destruction to Gaza, with deadly strikes killing over 35,000 civilians, displacing some 2 million Palestinians, and damaging essential infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. The social and economic stability of the entire region is at risk, with far-reaching consequences in decades to come.
The recent decision by the Israeli government to change its strategy and invade the Rafah area, despite having previously advised civilians to take refuge there, is a serious violation of international humanitarian law.?Protecting civilians during armed conflict is a crucial tenet of international humanitarian law. Any actions that violate this principle endanger innocent lives and undermine humanity's basic morality.
The global community has disapproved of Israel's actions in Gaza, particularly the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians. International human rights groups accuse Israel's military of targeting hospitals, schools, refugee centers, aid convoys, medical workers, apartment buildings, and journalists. These actions endanger innocent civilians and violate human rights.?
Most Americans want a long-lasting ceasefire in Gaza beyond Biden's request. Biden urged Israel to restrain from attacking Rafah, demanding a credible plan that prioritizes civilians' safety. He warned that transferring offensive weapons would be withheld if Israel invaded Rafah without protecting civilians. ?
According to recent reports, officials from the Biden administration revealed that the United States has offered valuable assistance to Israel to prevent a full-scale invasion of Rafah. This assistance includes providing sensitive intelligence to locate Hamas leaders and tunnels. Such intelligence can be critical in avoiding potential conflicts and minimizing casualties.?However, Netanyahu's far-right government insisted on invading Rafah at all costs despite objections and concerns from various parties.?
Israel has seized a border crossing near Rafah, ordering over 100,000 people to evacuate the city without providing secure destinations. Recent strikes have worsened the already dire situation in the region, leading to widespread hunger and a critical humanitarian crisis. In response to fears that Israel may further use the 2,000-pound bombs in a military operation in Rafah, the Biden administration has recently announced a temporary suspension of their shipment. The United States finds itself at a crossroads about its stance on Israel's actions in the ongoing conflict. The question at hand is whether or not the U.S. will prioritize the welfare of those impacted by the violence that has caused a considerable humanitarian catastrophe.
Our Editorial Opinion
U.S. Double Standards on human rights abuses
The U.S. promotes democratic values and human rights globally. However, its selective approach to condemning human rights abuses has raised concerns about its consistency and commitment to universal human rights standards. Specifically, while the U.S. has publicly criticized and even imposed punishments for breaches of human rights in nations such as Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and other countries across the globe, it has demonstrated a reluctance to address similar offenses when they occur in Israel's occupied territories.
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The Biden administration's recent reports confirm that there is "reasonable evidence" that Israel used U.S.-provided weapons against noncombatants in Gaza, potentially violating international humanitarian law. However, "it is unclear whether Israel definitively broke international law, as the U.S. lacks all necessary information," the reports said. How could there not be enough information about the catastrophe caused by Israel’s unconventional use of deadly weapons in Gaza, which the UN and many human rights organizations confirmed happened? Even President Biden, in his self-assessment on CNN, confirmed Israel had inappropriately used the 2000-pound munitions on the civilian population.
In a recent interview on Meet the Press, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken said the U.S. treats Israel with the same accountability as any other country when it comes to humanitarian crimes. In another interview on Face the Nation, he concludes that "It's reasonable to assess that in?a number of?instances, Israel has not reacted in a manner?that is?consistent with international humanitarian law." ?Any observer of U.S. international relations would laugh at Blinken's conflicting statements, blatantly stretching the facts.?
Most Republicans have seen nothing wrong in Israel's conduct of the war. It is deeply troubling to witness how some politicians prioritize their political agendas over addressing the dire situation of the people in Gaza, even when it's evident that Israel has committed war crimes. If Jewish children were being killed in a conflict, these same politicians, regardless of party affiliation, would express outrage and call for immediate action to protect civilian lives and hold those responsible for the killings accountable. It is difficult to fathom a human being who would observe another individual’s degradation and remain unmoved or unaffected. ?
Meanwhile, many Democrats have raised issues and demanded accountability. Below are some Democratic senators who have expressed their frustrations at Israel's conduct of the war.
Senators Van Hollen and Jeff Markley find it implausible that the U.S. government needs more information than NGOs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam to confirm Israel has broken international humanitarian law. They both expressed dissatisfaction with the reports. Senator Van Hollen further emphasized that it is not credible for the government to have a lower level of insight than NGOs regarding the matters at hand.?
Perhaps Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also Jewish, has described the situation in Gaza better than anyone else, "Any objective observer knows Israel has broken international law, it has broken American law, and in my view, Israel should not be receiving another nickel in U.S. military aid ... That is not the way you conduct a war in a civilized society ... "We are talking about 60% of the housing in Gaza has been destroyed … ?The civilian infrastructure -- that is water, that sewage is now running out in the streets, No electricity ... the systematic destruction of the healthcare system there. Every University in Gaza has been bombed ... hundreds of thousands of children facing starvation." ?
Some Democratic congressmen and congresswomen who perceived as injustices and human rights violations have also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza or have called for a reevaluation of U.S. policy towards the Israel-Palestinian conflict. We at Moderate Voices of America are in support of these men and women of courage.
As global citizens, we advocate for peace, justice, human rights, and solidarity with the most vulnerable and marginalized.? This means challenging policies and actions that perpetuate violence and injustice and working toward constructive solutions that promote reconciliation, mutual respect, and the dignity of all people.??It is vital to hold those responsible for human rights violations of international law, regardless of political interest and affiliation.??
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