President Joe Biden expressed his disapproval of the Israeli offensive in Gaza but has faced criticism for his administration’s continued arms transfers to Israel. Despite pledges to halt offensive weapons if the assault on Rafah persisted, reports indicate a planned $1bn arms transfer, including tank shells. Critics point out the contradiction between rhetoric and action, questioning the US commitment to protecting civilians in Gaza.
The Biden administration claims Israel has not launched a major invasion of Rafah, but reports of displacements and humanitarian aid shortages suggest otherwise. While pushing for a ceasefire and blaming Hamas for rejecting proposals, the US vetoed multiple ceasefire draft resolutions and voted against others. There are concerns about violations of international humanitarian law by Israel, despite US assurances that American weapons are not being used for abuses.
The Leahy Law, which prohibits aid to military units that commit abuses, is said to be applied equally to Israel, although experts question the process given the continued funding to Israeli battalions with human rights violations. Additionally, the decision to de-fund UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, has been criticized as further exacerbating the suffering in Gaza.
Advocates are calling for the Biden administration to align its actions with its stated values and reassess its support for Israel in light of the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The discrepancy between words and deeds undermines the credibility of US efforts to end the violence and protect Palestinian civilians.
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