In a significant development, a coalition of lawyers, including at least 20 who work within the Biden administration, have urged President Joe Biden to suspend military aid to Israel. This call to action is driven by concerns that Israel's actions in Gaza are not in compliance with U.S. and international humanitarian law. The lawyers have expressed their reservations through a letter that is currently circulating for signatures, with more than 90 lawyers having already signed on.
The signatories, hailing from various departments within the U.S. government, alongside lawyers from the European Commission and the private sector, argue that Israel's military operations in Gaza have resulted in disproportionate attacks on civilian populations, strikes on aid convoys, and the bombing of schools and hospitals, all of which they claim violate U.S. statutes and international humanitarian law.
This development follows a series of reports detailing alleged violations by Israel in its operations in Gaza. Human Rights Watch has observed or documented indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks in violation of international humanitarian law following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks in Israel. These actions have included the imposition of collective punishments on the civilian population, the deprivation of objects indispensable to civilian survival, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
The letter from the coalition of lawyers not only calls for a halt to military aid but also requests that the Justice Department investigate whether any U.S. citizens serving in the Israeli military may have committed war crimes that could be prosecuted under U.S. law. This move reflects growing concern within the administration and beyond about the conduct of Israel's military operations and the implications for U.S. policy and law.
As of now, it remains to be seen how President Biden and his administration will respond to this call from within their ranks. This situation comes at a critical juncture, as the U.S. continues to navigate its relationship with Israel amidst ongoing tensions in the region.
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