The State Department found no specific cases of Israel misusing U.S. weapons that would justify withholding aid.
www.nytimes.com
A State Department report says U.S. weapons might have been used in violating humanitarian law, but does not make a specific enough finding to trigger punitive action against Israel.

The Biden administration has concluded it is “reasonable to assess” that Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has violated international law, but has not found specific instances that would justify the withholding of military aid, the State Department told Congress on Friday.

In the administration’s most detailed assessment of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, the State Department said in a written report to Congress that Israel “has the knowledge, experience and tools to implement best practices for mitigating civilian harm in its military operations.”

But it added that “the results on the ground, including high levels of civilian casualties, raise substantial questions” as to whether the Israel Defense Forces are using them sufficiently.

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  • juicy@lemmy.todayEnglish
    2115·
    vor 6 Monaten

    No it’s not.

    Nevertheless, the report, mandated by President Biden, deems that assurances Israel provided in March that it would use U.S. arms consistent with international law are “credible and reliable” and thus allow the continued flow of U.S. military aid.

    What a joke.

    • gregorum@lemm.eeEnglish
      362·
      vor 6 Monaten

      For the US state department to say this publicly? Oh yeah, it’s a big deal.

      US’s Israel policy doesn’t shift adroitly— considering it has never shifted, not ever.

      So, yeah, this means things have changed. That was the point of all those protests, right?

      Edit: think it hasn’t shifted enough? Keep protesting!!! it works!

    • rockSlayer@lemmy.worldEnglish
      72·
      vor 6 Monaten

      Yes, it is. Because if our weapons continue to be shipped to Israel and used Gaza, then it would be a violation of federal law to continue those weapons shipments. And yes, any senior government officials still trying to give arms to Israel after that point should be brought to trial.

        • rockSlayer@lemmy.worldEnglish
          41·
          vor 6 Monaten

          That’s because the State department typically doesn’t refer to specific statutes when signalling policy changes. To read the laws that I’m referring to, look for the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Arms Export Control Act.