More than two dozen House Democrats sent a letter to the Biden administration questioning its assertions that the Israeli government is using American weapons in full compliance with U.S. and international law. The letter, led by Texas Democratic Reps. Veronica Escobar and Joaquin Castro, expresses concerns about the actions of the Netanyahu government, which have been criticized by various organizations and officials.
The Democrats’ letter is backed by advocacy organizations like Indivisible, Amnesty International USA, Americans for Peace Now, and the Muslim-led MPower Change Action Fund. It challenges President Biden’s National Security Memorandum 20, which requires countries receiving arms from the U.S. to provide credible assurances of compliance with humanitarian law. The letter questions the credibility of Israel’s assurances and calls for the suspension of arms transfers.
The Biden administration has repeatedly defended Israel’s compliance with the memo, despite concerns raised by various groups. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller stated that Israel has not violated international humanitarian law, even in the face of incidents like the killing of humanitarian workers and delays in aid deliveries. The administration’s defense of Israel’s conduct has faced scrutiny from lawmakers and organizations.
Following an attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy and an Iranian consulate building, members of Congress called for halting weapons transfers to Israel and conducting an independent inquiry into the attack. This effort received widespread support compared to previous resolutions aimed at addressing human rights violations by Israel. The Democrats’ letter also highlighted concerns raised by humanitarian organizations about Israel’s restrictions on aid.
The letter’s signatories include prominent Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley, among others. The lawmakers expressed their concerns about the discrepancies between assessments made by the State Department and White House regarding Israel’s compliance with international law.
The ongoing debate over Israel’s use of American weapons underscores the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. As tensions persist in the region, lawmakers are calling for greater accountability and transparency in arms transfers to ensure compliance with humanitarian standards.
In conclusion, the Democrats’ letter reflects a growing bipartisan concern over Israel’s actions and the need for a thorough review of U.S. policies regarding arms transfers. As the Biden administration navigates these challenges, it faces pressure from lawmakers and advocacy groups to uphold human rights standards in its foreign relations.