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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  • gregorum@lemm.eeEnglish
    85·
    7 months ago

    It’s not the statement itself. It’s the fact that the US State department has made its first change and its policy with Israel in ever.

    That’s a big deal

    • ⓝⓞ🅞🅝🅔English
      125·
      7 months ago

      I didn’t pick up what you’re saying in this particular article.

      If so, it seems painfully too little and far too late. More needs to be done and it needs to be done now.

      I understand why the relationship between Israel and the US is important. What I don’t understand is why the US can’t hold them to account at the same time.

      It boggles my mind how the government of the United States so easily facilitates atrocities. They can do better. They can be better.

      When I hear “Make America Great Again”, it seems everyone has lost their minds in terms of what “greatness” truly is.

      • gregorum@lemm.eeEnglish
        145·
        7 months ago

        I get where you’re coming from and your sense of urgency— obviously. I want Biden to tell Bibi to fuck off with the Palestinian civilian genocide bullshit and to cut off all offensive weapons deliveries 20 years ago.

        My point is that US policy on Israel has, really, never changed-- until just now. And that’s a really big deal. I get that it’s not as much or as fast as everyone wanted, but that it happened at all it a tremendous victory. Changing state dept. policy isn’t just some party trick, and changing state dept. policy on Israel is a goddamned miracle. So enough with the “not enough”. Celebrate this victory, pat some backs, and then keep protesting!

        Now that policy can be changed, keep fighting for bigger change!

        Edit: fixating on that you didn’t get a big enough victory in round 1 (even though it’s the biggest victory by anyone, ever wrt US-Israel policy shift) comes off as ignorant and ungrateful. Take the win and move on to round 2.