Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and outbreak of the IsraelâHamas war, the United States began to send warships and military aircraft into the Eastern Mediterranean and began sending Israel more military supplies. The Joe Biden administration stated that Israel would receive "whatever it needs" to support its offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. [1]
After an initial period of Western support for the offensive, Israel and the United States became increasingly isolated amid growing worldwide calls for a ceasefire, [2] [3] [4] with the US vetoing three United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. [5] International rights groups have condemned the U.S. for providing military and diplomatic support to Israel that they say risks complicity in Israeli war crimes. [6] [7] [8] [9] By March 7, 2024, the US had sent Israel over 100 weapons shipments since the war began. [10] [11]
As the war went on, however, USâIsrael relations began to become strained. [12] [13] The US government became more critical of Israel and its stance slowly began to change as Palestinian civilian casualties rose and opposition grew. In February, the Biden administration issued a national security directive requiring written assurances from Israel that it was using US-supplied weapons in line with international law. In March, the US began calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire linked to the release of hostages, and Israel berated the US for allowing a ceasefire resolution to pass at the UN Security Council. The US also voiced its opposition to much of Israel's post-war plan for Gaza. [14] Nonetheless, on March 29, 2024, the Biden administration once again authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel. [15] [16]
After Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,139 Israelis, Israel began a campaign against Gaza. [18] [19] Since the start of the Israeli operation, more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, [20] including over 12,300 children and 8,400 women. [21] Several thousand more are missing and presumed trapped under rubble. [22] [23] Israel placed Gaza under a complete blockade, including the prevention of fuel and water from entering the Gaza Strip. [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] The United States described Hamas' preemptive attack as "unprovoked," [29] and started sending warships and warplanes into the region, prepared to give Israel whatever it needs. [1] The United States Commission on Civil Rights meanwhile called on the government to address the underlying issues that have led to the recent violence, such as Israel's 56-year illegal possession of the Palestinian lands and its 16-year blockade of Gaza as well as "the apartheid regime throughout historic Palestine." [30]
Since Israel's founding in 1948, it has received $158 billion in military aid from the United States, making it the greatest recipient in history. [30] [31] Following Israel's victory over surrounding Arab forces in the 1967 Six-Day War and its subsequent occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, military assistance to the country surged significantly. The Iron Dome, which became operational in 2011, was created with the help of the United States, which is responsible for providing components for the system, including allocating more than $1.5 billion for missile defense for Israel in 2022. [32] As part of a record $38 billion agreement over ten years negotiated under former US President Barack Obama in 2016, US military aid to Israel exceeded $3.8 billion in 2023. Of the $3.8 billion in military aid given to Israel this year, half a billion was for Israel's missile defense. Washington has announced that it will replenish Israel's ammunition used in the recent war against Hamas. [32]
U.S. lawmakers have long viewed Israel as an ally to help protect U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East. Maintaining Israel's regional military hegemony, according to Al-Jazeera, is a central element of U.S. Middle East policy. This has been achieved with U.S. financial aid and an increase in Israel's military arsenal. [32] On the question of why Joe Biden is reluctant to freeze arms transfers or impose conditions on future supplies, Guardian journalist, Robert Tait writes that the US is concerned that pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu could push him towards a common goal with Republicans in a year leading to the election. [114] Josh Paul, who resigned over sending arms to Israel, has described Biden policy in favor of "the status quo of the occupation" and a "shortsighted, destructive, unjust" policy that "will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people â and is not in the long term American interest." [115]
Although the U.S. has asked Israel to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid, State Secretary Antony Blinken acknowledged that there is "a gap" between these appeals and "the actual results that weâre seeing on the ground." The United States has not used its leverage over Israelâits weapons transfers and diplomatic supportâto ensure civilian safety, leading the Washington Post to describe American rhetoric as a "good cop-bad cop approach." Aaron David Miller of the CEIP said that the Biden administration deserved credit for the humanitarian pause negotiations, but that it had "tethered" itself to Israeli war aims that cannot be achieved without bringing "grievous harm to the civilian population." [116]
Ali Harb described the contradictions between media reports about Biden's "frustration" with Netanyahu, and his continued military support for Israel, stating, "The US keeps calling for minimising civilian casualties, but the Palestinian death toll keeps growing. The Biden administration repeatedly emphasises the two-state solution; Israeli leaders continue to explicitly say they oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state." [117] In March 2024, Al Jazeera English senior analyst Marwan Bishara assessed a perceived shift in Biden's tone toward the war, stating, "Biden is underlining a change of tone, not a change of policy. And that explains a bit why he sounds as if he's speaking from both sides of his mouth." [118]
In late-March 2024, Tamer Qarmout, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, stated, "You don't see the US using its real leverage to stop Israel or correct its behaviours." [119]
Israel and the United States were increasingly isolated amid growing global calls for a ceasefire. [2] [3] [4] [5] American political scientist Ian Bremmer stated the Biden administration's position unconditionally supporting Israel had left Joe Biden as isolated on the world stage as Russia president Vladimir Putin. [120] Jeffrey Sachs, a professor of economics at Columbia University, also stated that the United States was being isolated on the world stage due to its support for Israel. [121] In March 2024, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders wrote the U.S. was "virtually alone in the world" in continuing to defend Israel's actions. [122]
The Islamic world and much of the Global South accused the United States and its allies of a double standard in condemning an illegal occupation in Ukraine while standing firmly behind Israel. [123] Western leaders, pressed for weeks to say whether the loss of thousands mostly civilian lives could be a violation of international law, spoke only tentatively, adding that they could not judge: "We're not going to get dragged into all this judge-and-jury role," US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. [124] By comparison, a year earlier the United States Department of State had officially announced that, based on available information, the US government assessed that members of Russia's forces in Ukraine had committed war crimes." [124] The U.S. State Department said there is no need to launch any formal domestic investigation into whether Israel has committed war crimes, even though the weapons it uses are supplied by the US. [124] In a speech to the European Parliament, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said water cuts are a violation of international law regardless of where they occur, whether in Ukraine or Gaza. [125]
In an interview, Aaron David Miller, a former State Department official, stated to The New Yorker, "Do I think that Joe Biden has the same depth of feeling and empathy for the Palestinians of Gaza as he does for the Israelis? No, he doesnât". [126] In April 2024, the Foreign Ministry of Turkey accused the U.S. of having a "double-standard policy on human rights". [127]
Human rights organizations and UN officials have heavily criticized the Biden administration for vetoing multiple UN resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire and for continuing to send arms to Israel. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said the US was complicit in war crimes, [128] and Amnesty International's Secretary General said that the veto showed that the US "displays a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll." [129] Doctors Without Borders said that the veto "stands in sharp contrast to the values it professes to uphold," and that the US was providing "diplomatic cover for the ongoing atrocities in Gaza." [129] Human Rights Watch said that the veto and the military support "risks complicity in war crimes." [6] Following the veto, a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire garnered overwhelming support, with 153 countries voting for the resolution to 10 opposed. [130] Turkey's president called for reform of the UN Security Council system that allows for the five permanent members to veto resolutions supported by the overwhelming majority of countries. [131]
Polling by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies showed 94 percent of respondents in sixteen Middle East countries had a negative view of U.S. policy in the war and 76 percent had a diminished view of the country due to its policies. [132] In a social media post, the Palestine UN mission criticized the US secretary of state for not acknowledging the tens of thousands of killed Palestinians in his post marking the 100 days since the start of the war. [133]
On 4 February 2024, Irish MEP Mick Wallace accused the United States of lacking respect for other cultures or international law after it initiated a bombing campaign against Yemen. [134] Following a US veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, stated it was "nothing different from giving the green light to the continued slaughter". [135]
On October 29, 2023, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), accused Israel of committing genocide, saying, "President Biden, not all America is with you on this one, and you need to wake up and understand. We are literally watching people commit genocide." [136] House Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) stated on December 27, 2023 that US policy in Israel had failed. [137] Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) stated on January 3, 2024 that Israeli officials' statements calling for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza were "reprehensible." [138] Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush (D-MO) released a joint statement on January 12 in support of the South Africa v. Israel case, stating, "The US must stop trying to discredit and undermine this case and the international legal system it claims to support." [139] Congressmembers Ro Khanna (D-CA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) condemned Biden's 2024 missile strikes in Yemen on January 12, stating only Congress has the power to approve a war. [140] A January 19 letter from 60 Democratic Party congressmembers urged U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken to firmly condemn the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. [141] A group of a dozen Jewish congress members issued a statement on January 19 condemning Netanyahu's opposition to a Palestinian state, reading, "We strongly disagree with the Prime Minister. A two-state solution is the path forward." [142]
Texan Congressman Lloyd Doggett wrote on January 24: "After all America has done for him, if Netanyahu âneeds to be able to say noâ to us, we need to say no to him and do so now!" [143] On January 24, a group of five Congressmembers requested the Government Accountability Office to review whether arms transferred to Israel were being used to violate international law. [144] Mark Pocan (D-WI) criticized Biden's decision to suspend UNRWA funding, stating on January 29: " UNRWA feeds 1.2 million people a day, as well as helps distribute aid now to all Palestinians in need. Aid needs to be restored now to help the displaced millions in Gaza." [145] Chuy Garcia (D-IL) stated, "The US should reverse its decision to freeze UNRWA funding. [146] On February 11, 2024, Congresswoman Cori Bush criticized Israel's impending invasion of Rafah, stating, "Almost half of Gaza's population has taken refuge in Rafah. There's nowhere else to go." [147] Congressman Ro Khanna also criticized Biden's response to Israel's planned attack on Rafah, stating, "This is not the time for vague generalities about doing more to protect civilian life." [148]
On February 28, U.S. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA) called for an end to the war and condemned Netanyahu, stating, "Prime Minister Netanyahu's dishonesty â his broken promises to use precision strikes to protect civilians and his false claims that safe zones have been created and enforced â is unacceptable". [149] A group of two dozen House members demanded Biden and Blinken take steps to ensure journalists' safety in Gaza, stating: "Not enough steps have been taken to safeguard the lives of the civilian population in Gaza, including journalists". [150] On 29 February, Congressman Jim McGovern called for the U.S. to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating, "Massive humanitarian support is needed to save innocent lives." [151] A group of six U.S. House Representatives â Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Sean Casten (D-IL), Madeleine Dean, Becca Balint (D-VT), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and Mark Takano (D-CA) â returned from a trip to Israel and released a joint statement, saying, "We are deeply worried that Prime Minister Netanyahu is moving toward the total destruction of Gaza and has demonstrated an utter disregard for Palestinian lives". [152]
On November 2, 2023, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) became the first U.S. Senator to call for a permanent ceasefire. [153] He was followed by Jeff Merkley (D-OR) later that same month. [154] [155] On December 23, 2023, US Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), stated, "There's a big gap between what the United States says is essential, and what the Netanyahu government is prepared to do. And when you see these big gaps, the United States looks feckless." [156] US Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) criticized Biden's emergency sale of weapons to Israel on December 30, 2023, stating, "Why should the Admin bypass Congress on arms sales to any nation? Bypassing Congress = keeping the American public in the dark." [157] U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) forced a vote on January 17, 2024 on a resolution requiring the State Department to explore whether U.S. weapons were being used to violate international humanitarian law. [158]
On February 7, 2024, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) stated he would support an amendment requiring weapons sold internationally to be used in compliance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law, and the laws of armed conflict. [159] In a speech on February 13, Senator Chris Van Hollen accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes in Gaza, stating, "Kids in Gaza are now dying from the deliberate withholding of food. That is a war crime. It is a textbook war crime. And that makes those who orchestrate it war criminals." [160] On March 9, Senator Bernie Sanders criticized members of Congress, stating, "It is absurd to criticise Netanyahu's war in one breath and provide another $10bn to continue that war in the next." [161]
As of 7 January 2024, two officials from the Biden administrationâJosh Paul and Tariq Habash, working on arms sale at the state department and policy adviser at the department of education respectivelyâhave resigned in opposition to US support to Israel's war efforts. A letter was signed by more than a dozen Biden campaign staffers calling for condition of US support to Israel and a ceasefire. Paul told The Guardian that the administration is witnessing "pretty extraordinary levels of dissent." [162] On 2 February 2024, a group of 800 U.S. and European officials signed an open letter stating their governments' policies were weakening their nations' "moral standing." [163] In March 2024, another state department staffer working on human rights, Anelle Sheline, resigned over the administration's support to the war, in particular its bypassing of Congress to authorize the sale of weapons to Israel. [164] Following the World Central Kitchen drone strikes on 1 April 2024, internal dissent within the Biden administration on the issue of weapons sales to Israel increased. [165] In April 2024, the U.S. State Department Arabic spokesperson resigned in protest of the administration's Gaza policy. [166]
Amongst the Muslim and Arab American communities, there was strong backlash to US support of Israel, with some vowing to abstain from supporting Biden in the 2024 presidential election. [167] Palestinian-Americans with family in Gaza were reportedly "pleading with the U.S. government to evacuate their family members." [168] Some, including former-Congressman Justin Amash, reported the death of family members from Israeli airstrikes. [169] American citizens stuck in Gaza also criticized the United States government's response to the conflict. [170] In a meeting with Biden's campaign chair Julie ChĂĄvez Rodriguez, the publisher of Arab American News reportedly told her, "If this man wants our vote, he has to do more than Jesus Christ â bring a lot more dead back to life. Thousands of people's blood is on his hands." [171] In response to late-February 2024 reports that Biden again planned to veto a UN resolution for a ceasefire, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights stated, "Our government is beyond evil." [172]
During the Michigan Democratic primary, Biden received less than a quarter of the vote in predominantly Arab areas in Dearborn. [173] In 2024, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud declined an invitation to meet with Biden campaign officials prior to the 2024 United States presidential election, due to the Biden administration's stance on the Israel-Hamas war. [174] On Super Tuesday, nearly 20% of voters in Minnesota voted uncommitted in protest of Biden's Gaza policies. [175] In March 2024, a coalition of Muslim and Palestinian organizations from Chicago refused a meeting with the Biden campaign, stating, "There is no point in more meetings". [176] [177]
In a Reuters/ Ipsos poll released on November 15, 2023, 32% of respondents said that the U.S. should support Israel, 39% said that the U.S. should be a neutral mediator, 4% said that the U.S. should support Palestinians, and 15% said the U.S. shouldn't be involved at all. [179]
In a Gallup poll released on November 30, 2023, 50% of the U.S. respondents approved of Israel's military action in Gaza, and 45% disapproved. [180] In November 2023, the Jewish Election Institute found that 74% of Jewish American registered voters approved of the Biden administration's handling of the war. [181]
In a Data for Progress poll released on December 5, 2023, 61% of likely voters, including a majority of Democrats (76%) and Independents (57%) and a plurality of Republicans (49%), supported the U.S. calling for a permanent ceasefire and a de-escalation of violence in Gaza; 83% of Democrats, 74% of Independents, and 63% of Republicans supported sending food, water, and medical supplies to people in Gaza; 77% of Democrats, 63% of Independents, and 55% of Republicans supported ensuring that people in Gaza have reliable access to fuel and electricity; and 63% of voters, including 65% of those under age 45, agreed with the statement that âThe U.S. should hold its ally Israel to a high standard and only provide military aid to Israel if they meet our standards for human rights." [182]
In a The New York Times/ Siena College poll released on December 19, 2023, 44 percent of voters said that Israel should stop its military campaign to protect against civilian casualties, and 39 percent said that Israel should continue its military campaign even if it means that civilian casualties in Gaza mount. 57% of voters said that they disapproved of President Biden's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, whereas 33% approved. [183]
In a The Economist/ YouGov poll released on January 24, 2024, 35% of U.S. adults agreed that Israel's military campaign against Palestinians amounts to genocide, 36% disagreed, and 29% were undecided. Among U.S. cirizens aged 18-29, 49% of those surveyed agreed that Israel is committing genocide, with 24% disagreeing, and 27% uncertain. [184]
In an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released on February 2, 2024, 50% of U.S. adults said that the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip had gone too far, whereas 31% said that it had "been about right", and 15% thought that it had "not gone far enough". [185]
As of February 25, 2024, over 70 cities in the United States have voted for a ceasefire. [186] [187]
In a Gallup poll released on March 4, 2024, positive opinions of Israel had dropped from 64% to 38% amongst young people aged 18 to 34. Overall, 58% of Americans had a positive view of Israel. [188]
In a Center for Economic and Policy Research poll released on March 5, 2024, 52% of U.S. citizens supported ending arms transfers to Israel. 62% of Democrats supported halting arms sales, while 14% disagreed, whereas 30% of Republicans supported the measure, and 55% opposed it. [189] [190]
In a Gallup Poll released on March 27, 2024, 55% of the responders disapproved of Israel's military action in Gaza, 36% approved, and 9% had no opinion. [178]
Some Israeli government members believed that Biden's support for Israel was not strong enough. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir stated, "Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel [to Gaza], which goes to Hamas. If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different." [191] Israel's Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich stated Biden was involved in an anti-Semitic lie for issuing sanctions against violent West Bank settlers. [192] [a] Following comments by Biden in March 2024 that Israel's killing of civilians was "hurting Israel more than helping", the Israeli prime minister Netanyahu stated this was "false" and "wrong". [194] After a speech by Chuck Schumer calling for new elections after the war, Likud released a statement, saying, "Senator Schumer is expected to respect Israel's elected government and not undermine it. This is always true and even more so in wartime." [195]
On 27 March, Ben-Gvir stated, "Biden prefers the line of Rashida Tlaib and Sinwar to the line of Benjamin Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir. I would have expected the president of the United States not to take their line, but rather to take ours." [196] Following reports the U.S. was considering sanctions against an IDF unit charged with human rights abuses, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the sanctions the "height of absurdity and a moral low". [197] Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli stated, "If I were an American citizen with the right to vote, Iâd vote for Trump and Republicans". [198]
The United Nations General Assembly on October 27 voted a non-binding resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire to enable relief to enter Gaza; the United States stood with Israel in rejecting the proposal. The previous week, Washington had vetoed a resolution similar to this one at the more powerful UN Security Council. [199]
Progressive Democrats argue that the $14.3 billion package the White House has promised Israel violates the Leahy Act because most of the victims of Israel's attacks on Gaza are civilians. The act forbids the US State and Defence departments from providing security support to foreign governments that are suspected of violating human rights. The act's proponents refer to the increasing number of Gaza residents losing their lives as a result of military operations, the forced relocation of over a million people, and the escalating humanitarian situation following Israeli authorities' cuts to the region's supplies of fuel, food, water, and electricity. Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana wrote to the Guardian, accusing Israel of "war crimes" and citing the Israeli Defence Forces' (IDF) alleged use of white phosphorus and this week's deadly bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp. "I am very concerned that our taxpayer dollars may be used for violations of human rights," Carson wrote. The Biden administration declared earlier this week that it was not imposing any restrictions on Israel's use of the US-supplied weapons. According to Pentagon spokesman Sabrina Singh, "That is really up to the Israel Defense Force to use in how they are going to conduct their operations... But weâre not putting any constraints on that." Usamah Andrabi, Justice Democrats' director of communications â said âI think the Leahy Act should absolutely be looked into right now, when we are seeing gross violations of human rights,â he said. â[The Israelis] are targeting refugee camps, hospitals, mosques all under the guise of self-defense or that one or other member of Hamas is hiding there. It doesn't matter whether Hamas is there or not, because you are targeting civilians. No amount of tax dollars should be justified for that.â Like Carson, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, particularly mentioned the alleged use of white phosphorus, as asserted by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW), as a violation that should bar Israel from getting aid from the US. "Deployment of white phosphorus near populated civilian areas is a war crime," she said. [200]
Following the veto of another resolution in the UN Council on December 8, international human rights organizations issued the following statement: "By continuing to provide Israel with weapons [and] diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes." [8]
Some scholars believe that America is complicit in an alleged genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinians. [201] [202] [203] Lawyers of the Center for Constitutional Rights warned the Biden administration that they could be held liable "for their failure to prevent Israel's unfolding genocide, as well as for their complicity, by encouraging it and materially supporting it." [204] In November 2023, president Joe Biden was nicknamed "Genocide Joe" by critics of his support for Israel. [205] National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, described by Israeli media outlet Ynet as "an exceptionally accomplished Israeli advocate," [206] said "Israel's trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So if we're going to start using that word, fine, let's use it appropriately." [205] While suing Joe Biden as the largest provider of military aid to Israel, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) argued that "the United States has the means available to have a deterrent effect on Israeli officials now pursuing genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza." [207] In a declaration in the lawsuit, Genocide scholar William Schabas said that in his view there was a "serious risk of genocide" and that the US was "in breach of its obligation" under the 1948 Genocide Convention and international law. [208] [209] Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic representative of Michigan, accused Joe Biden of supporting the "genocide of the Palestinian people." [210]
On 30 October 2023, AIPAC, a leading pro-Israel lobbying group, issued a public critique of the members of Congress who voted against House Resolution 771, which expressed support for Israel. In response, Republican Thomas Massie defended his vote by saying he objected to a broad "open-ended promise of military support," while Democrats Cori Bush, Mark Pocan and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused AIPAC of harming US democracy. [211] [212] [213] On November 1, Ilhan Omar accused AIPAC of running Islamophobic ads against her. [214] On November 2, Rashida Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, was the target of a $100,000 TV ad campaign by the Democratic Majority for Israel. [215]
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on December 5 passed a resolution that included language that said the House "clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism." The organization also condemned the slogan " From the river to the sea," [216] for which Tlaib was censured on November 5th. [217] Analysis from The Guardian showed that congress members who were supportive of Israel from the war's start had received an average of $100,000 more from pro-Israel donors than their pro-Palestinian colleagues. [218] Analysis of Federal Election Commission filings showed House Speaker Mike Johnson received $95,000 from AIPAC. [219]
In March 2024, a group of 20 progressive political organizations formed an anti-AIPAC coalition to push back against the lobbyist group's influence on U.S. politics. [220] In response to comments by Senator Chuck Schumer that Israel needed new elections to replace Netanyahu, J Street stated the speech "signals a historic shift from those in the Democratic party who care deeply about Israel's future". [221] Haaretz found that hundreds of fake social media accounts were targeting Democratic Party lawmakers with messages repeating Israeli government accusations relating to UNRWA and Hamas. [222]
The Biden Administration caused controversy after bypassing Congress on multiple occasions to authorize arms sales to the Israeli military. [223] Josh Paul, a senior State Department official specializing in arms transfers, resigned after stating the U.S. government continues to sell weapons to Israel despite its record of human rights abuses. [224] [225] An investigation by The Guardian found the U.S. government use special mechanisms to protect Israel from domestic human rights laws. [226] Unlike the United States' military support for Ukraine, details of weapons sent to Israel have been vague. [227] Leaked details have shown that the U.S. has sent laser-guided missiles, 155mm shells, new army vehicles, among others, at Israel's request. [228] Unnamed officials stated in March 2024 that the U.S. had signed off on an additional 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs. [229]
" Direct action" tactics were adopted against arms companies in the United States that supplied arms to Israel, including Lockheed Martin, [230] General Dynamics, [231] Textron, [232] Boeing, [233] L3Harris, [234] Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman. [235]
A group of seven U.S. Senators stated that the Biden Administration was in violation of the Foreign Assistance Act, which stipulates that weapons cannot be transferred to governments blocking humanitarian assistance. [236] Senator Chris Van Hollen called on Biden to cease weapons transfers, stating, "We need the president and the Biden administration to push harder and to use all the levers of US policy to ensure people don't die of starvation". [237]
War protesters on university campuses are calling for universities to withdraw any funding from arms manufacturers and companies linked to the Israeli military. [238]
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams opposed a ceasefire in Gaza. [292]
Israel and the United States were increasingly isolated as they faced global calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, including a non-binding vote expected to pass at the United Nations later on Tuesday. Israel has pressed ahead with an offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers that it says could go on for weeks or months.
Israel and the United States on Tuesday showed their sharpest public disagreement yet over the conduct and future of the war against Hamas as the two allies became increasingly isolated by global calls for a cease-fire.
The United States was looking increasingly isolated on the world stage on Tuesday after a resounding vote at the UN general assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
As the Israeli military expands its military operations in Gaza, NBC News' Hala Gorani reports on the Israel Defense Forces latest offensive against Hamas and how the U.S. and Israel are becoming increasingly isolated internationally amid growing calls for a cease-fire.
shows him referring to his service in the U.S. armed forces and shouting "Free Palestine" as he burned.
Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel and outbreak of the IsraelâHamas war, the United States began to send warships and military aircraft into the Eastern Mediterranean and began sending Israel more military supplies. The Joe Biden administration stated that Israel would receive "whatever it needs" to support its offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. [1]
After an initial period of Western support for the offensive, Israel and the United States became increasingly isolated amid growing worldwide calls for a ceasefire, [2] [3] [4] with the US vetoing three United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. [5] International rights groups have condemned the U.S. for providing military and diplomatic support to Israel that they say risks complicity in Israeli war crimes. [6] [7] [8] [9] By March 7, 2024, the US had sent Israel over 100 weapons shipments since the war began. [10] [11]
As the war went on, however, USâIsrael relations began to become strained. [12] [13] The US government became more critical of Israel and its stance slowly began to change as Palestinian civilian casualties rose and opposition grew. In February, the Biden administration issued a national security directive requiring written assurances from Israel that it was using US-supplied weapons in line with international law. In March, the US began calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire linked to the release of hostages, and Israel berated the US for allowing a ceasefire resolution to pass at the UN Security Council. The US also voiced its opposition to much of Israel's post-war plan for Gaza. [14] Nonetheless, on March 29, 2024, the Biden administration once again authorized the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel. [15] [16]
After Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,139 Israelis, Israel began a campaign against Gaza. [18] [19] Since the start of the Israeli operation, more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, [20] including over 12,300 children and 8,400 women. [21] Several thousand more are missing and presumed trapped under rubble. [22] [23] Israel placed Gaza under a complete blockade, including the prevention of fuel and water from entering the Gaza Strip. [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] The United States described Hamas' preemptive attack as "unprovoked," [29] and started sending warships and warplanes into the region, prepared to give Israel whatever it needs. [1] The United States Commission on Civil Rights meanwhile called on the government to address the underlying issues that have led to the recent violence, such as Israel's 56-year illegal possession of the Palestinian lands and its 16-year blockade of Gaza as well as "the apartheid regime throughout historic Palestine." [30]
Since Israel's founding in 1948, it has received $158 billion in military aid from the United States, making it the greatest recipient in history. [30] [31] Following Israel's victory over surrounding Arab forces in the 1967 Six-Day War and its subsequent occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, military assistance to the country surged significantly. The Iron Dome, which became operational in 2011, was created with the help of the United States, which is responsible for providing components for the system, including allocating more than $1.5 billion for missile defense for Israel in 2022. [32] As part of a record $38 billion agreement over ten years negotiated under former US President Barack Obama in 2016, US military aid to Israel exceeded $3.8 billion in 2023. Of the $3.8 billion in military aid given to Israel this year, half a billion was for Israel's missile defense. Washington has announced that it will replenish Israel's ammunition used in the recent war against Hamas. [32]
U.S. lawmakers have long viewed Israel as an ally to help protect U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East. Maintaining Israel's regional military hegemony, according to Al-Jazeera, is a central element of U.S. Middle East policy. This has been achieved with U.S. financial aid and an increase in Israel's military arsenal. [32] On the question of why Joe Biden is reluctant to freeze arms transfers or impose conditions on future supplies, Guardian journalist, Robert Tait writes that the US is concerned that pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu could push him towards a common goal with Republicans in a year leading to the election. [114] Josh Paul, who resigned over sending arms to Israel, has described Biden policy in favor of "the status quo of the occupation" and a "shortsighted, destructive, unjust" policy that "will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people â and is not in the long term American interest." [115]
Although the U.S. has asked Israel to protect civilians and allow humanitarian aid, State Secretary Antony Blinken acknowledged that there is "a gap" between these appeals and "the actual results that weâre seeing on the ground." The United States has not used its leverage over Israelâits weapons transfers and diplomatic supportâto ensure civilian safety, leading the Washington Post to describe American rhetoric as a "good cop-bad cop approach." Aaron David Miller of the CEIP said that the Biden administration deserved credit for the humanitarian pause negotiations, but that it had "tethered" itself to Israeli war aims that cannot be achieved without bringing "grievous harm to the civilian population." [116]
Ali Harb described the contradictions between media reports about Biden's "frustration" with Netanyahu, and his continued military support for Israel, stating, "The US keeps calling for minimising civilian casualties, but the Palestinian death toll keeps growing. The Biden administration repeatedly emphasises the two-state solution; Israeli leaders continue to explicitly say they oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state." [117] In March 2024, Al Jazeera English senior analyst Marwan Bishara assessed a perceived shift in Biden's tone toward the war, stating, "Biden is underlining a change of tone, not a change of policy. And that explains a bit why he sounds as if he's speaking from both sides of his mouth." [118]
In late-March 2024, Tamer Qarmout, a professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, stated, "You don't see the US using its real leverage to stop Israel or correct its behaviours." [119]
Israel and the United States were increasingly isolated amid growing global calls for a ceasefire. [2] [3] [4] [5] American political scientist Ian Bremmer stated the Biden administration's position unconditionally supporting Israel had left Joe Biden as isolated on the world stage as Russia president Vladimir Putin. [120] Jeffrey Sachs, a professor of economics at Columbia University, also stated that the United States was being isolated on the world stage due to its support for Israel. [121] In March 2024, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders wrote the U.S. was "virtually alone in the world" in continuing to defend Israel's actions. [122]
The Islamic world and much of the Global South accused the United States and its allies of a double standard in condemning an illegal occupation in Ukraine while standing firmly behind Israel. [123] Western leaders, pressed for weeks to say whether the loss of thousands mostly civilian lives could be a violation of international law, spoke only tentatively, adding that they could not judge: "We're not going to get dragged into all this judge-and-jury role," US national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. [124] By comparison, a year earlier the United States Department of State had officially announced that, based on available information, the US government assessed that members of Russia's forces in Ukraine had committed war crimes." [124] The U.S. State Department said there is no need to launch any formal domestic investigation into whether Israel has committed war crimes, even though the weapons it uses are supplied by the US. [124] In a speech to the European Parliament, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said water cuts are a violation of international law regardless of where they occur, whether in Ukraine or Gaza. [125]
In an interview, Aaron David Miller, a former State Department official, stated to The New Yorker, "Do I think that Joe Biden has the same depth of feeling and empathy for the Palestinians of Gaza as he does for the Israelis? No, he doesnât". [126] In April 2024, the Foreign Ministry of Turkey accused the U.S. of having a "double-standard policy on human rights". [127]
Human rights organizations and UN officials have heavily criticized the Biden administration for vetoing multiple UN resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire and for continuing to send arms to Israel. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said the US was complicit in war crimes, [128] and Amnesty International's Secretary General said that the veto showed that the US "displays a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll." [129] Doctors Without Borders said that the veto "stands in sharp contrast to the values it professes to uphold," and that the US was providing "diplomatic cover for the ongoing atrocities in Gaza." [129] Human Rights Watch said that the veto and the military support "risks complicity in war crimes." [6] Following the veto, a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire garnered overwhelming support, with 153 countries voting for the resolution to 10 opposed. [130] Turkey's president called for reform of the UN Security Council system that allows for the five permanent members to veto resolutions supported by the overwhelming majority of countries. [131]
Polling by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies showed 94 percent of respondents in sixteen Middle East countries had a negative view of U.S. policy in the war and 76 percent had a diminished view of the country due to its policies. [132] In a social media post, the Palestine UN mission criticized the US secretary of state for not acknowledging the tens of thousands of killed Palestinians in his post marking the 100 days since the start of the war. [133]
On 4 February 2024, Irish MEP Mick Wallace accused the United States of lacking respect for other cultures or international law after it initiated a bombing campaign against Yemen. [134] Following a US veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, stated it was "nothing different from giving the green light to the continued slaughter". [135]
On October 29, 2023, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), accused Israel of committing genocide, saying, "President Biden, not all America is with you on this one, and you need to wake up and understand. We are literally watching people commit genocide." [136] House Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) stated on December 27, 2023 that US policy in Israel had failed. [137] Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) stated on January 3, 2024 that Israeli officials' statements calling for the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza were "reprehensible." [138] Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Cori Bush (D-MO) released a joint statement on January 12 in support of the South Africa v. Israel case, stating, "The US must stop trying to discredit and undermine this case and the international legal system it claims to support." [139] Congressmembers Ro Khanna (D-CA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) condemned Biden's 2024 missile strikes in Yemen on January 12, stating only Congress has the power to approve a war. [140] A January 19 letter from 60 Democratic Party congressmembers urged U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken to firmly condemn the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. [141] A group of a dozen Jewish congress members issued a statement on January 19 condemning Netanyahu's opposition to a Palestinian state, reading, "We strongly disagree with the Prime Minister. A two-state solution is the path forward." [142]
Texan Congressman Lloyd Doggett wrote on January 24: "After all America has done for him, if Netanyahu âneeds to be able to say noâ to us, we need to say no to him and do so now!" [143] On January 24, a group of five Congressmembers requested the Government Accountability Office to review whether arms transferred to Israel were being used to violate international law. [144] Mark Pocan (D-WI) criticized Biden's decision to suspend UNRWA funding, stating on January 29: " UNRWA feeds 1.2 million people a day, as well as helps distribute aid now to all Palestinians in need. Aid needs to be restored now to help the displaced millions in Gaza." [145] Chuy Garcia (D-IL) stated, "The US should reverse its decision to freeze UNRWA funding. [146] On February 11, 2024, Congresswoman Cori Bush criticized Israel's impending invasion of Rafah, stating, "Almost half of Gaza's population has taken refuge in Rafah. There's nowhere else to go." [147] Congressman Ro Khanna also criticized Biden's response to Israel's planned attack on Rafah, stating, "This is not the time for vague generalities about doing more to protect civilian life." [148]
On February 28, U.S. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA) called for an end to the war and condemned Netanyahu, stating, "Prime Minister Netanyahu's dishonesty â his broken promises to use precision strikes to protect civilians and his false claims that safe zones have been created and enforced â is unacceptable". [149] A group of two dozen House members demanded Biden and Blinken take steps to ensure journalists' safety in Gaza, stating: "Not enough steps have been taken to safeguard the lives of the civilian population in Gaza, including journalists". [150] On 29 February, Congressman Jim McGovern called for the U.S. to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza, stating, "Massive humanitarian support is needed to save innocent lives." [151] A group of six U.S. House Representatives â Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Sean Casten (D-IL), Madeleine Dean, Becca Balint (D-VT), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and Mark Takano (D-CA) â returned from a trip to Israel and released a joint statement, saying, "We are deeply worried that Prime Minister Netanyahu is moving toward the total destruction of Gaza and has demonstrated an utter disregard for Palestinian lives". [152]
On November 2, 2023, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) became the first U.S. Senator to call for a permanent ceasefire. [153] He was followed by Jeff Merkley (D-OR) later that same month. [154] [155] On December 23, 2023, US Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), stated, "There's a big gap between what the United States says is essential, and what the Netanyahu government is prepared to do. And when you see these big gaps, the United States looks feckless." [156] US Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) criticized Biden's emergency sale of weapons to Israel on December 30, 2023, stating, "Why should the Admin bypass Congress on arms sales to any nation? Bypassing Congress = keeping the American public in the dark." [157] U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) forced a vote on January 17, 2024 on a resolution requiring the State Department to explore whether U.S. weapons were being used to violate international humanitarian law. [158]
On February 7, 2024, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) stated he would support an amendment requiring weapons sold internationally to be used in compliance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law, and the laws of armed conflict. [159] In a speech on February 13, Senator Chris Van Hollen accused the Israeli government of committing war crimes in Gaza, stating, "Kids in Gaza are now dying from the deliberate withholding of food. That is a war crime. It is a textbook war crime. And that makes those who orchestrate it war criminals." [160] On March 9, Senator Bernie Sanders criticized members of Congress, stating, "It is absurd to criticise Netanyahu's war in one breath and provide another $10bn to continue that war in the next." [161]
As of 7 January 2024, two officials from the Biden administrationâJosh Paul and Tariq Habash, working on arms sale at the state department and policy adviser at the department of education respectivelyâhave resigned in opposition to US support to Israel's war efforts. A letter was signed by more than a dozen Biden campaign staffers calling for condition of US support to Israel and a ceasefire. Paul told The Guardian that the administration is witnessing "pretty extraordinary levels of dissent." [162] On 2 February 2024, a group of 800 U.S. and European officials signed an open letter stating their governments' policies were weakening their nations' "moral standing." [163] In March 2024, another state department staffer working on human rights, Anelle Sheline, resigned over the administration's support to the war, in particular its bypassing of Congress to authorize the sale of weapons to Israel. [164] Following the World Central Kitchen drone strikes on 1 April 2024, internal dissent within the Biden administration on the issue of weapons sales to Israel increased. [165] In April 2024, the U.S. State Department Arabic spokesperson resigned in protest of the administration's Gaza policy. [166]
Amongst the Muslim and Arab American communities, there was strong backlash to US support of Israel, with some vowing to abstain from supporting Biden in the 2024 presidential election. [167] Palestinian-Americans with family in Gaza were reportedly "pleading with the U.S. government to evacuate their family members." [168] Some, including former-Congressman Justin Amash, reported the death of family members from Israeli airstrikes. [169] American citizens stuck in Gaza also criticized the United States government's response to the conflict. [170] In a meeting with Biden's campaign chair Julie ChĂĄvez Rodriguez, the publisher of Arab American News reportedly told her, "If this man wants our vote, he has to do more than Jesus Christ â bring a lot more dead back to life. Thousands of people's blood is on his hands." [171] In response to late-February 2024 reports that Biden again planned to veto a UN resolution for a ceasefire, the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights stated, "Our government is beyond evil." [172]
During the Michigan Democratic primary, Biden received less than a quarter of the vote in predominantly Arab areas in Dearborn. [173] In 2024, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud declined an invitation to meet with Biden campaign officials prior to the 2024 United States presidential election, due to the Biden administration's stance on the Israel-Hamas war. [174] On Super Tuesday, nearly 20% of voters in Minnesota voted uncommitted in protest of Biden's Gaza policies. [175] In March 2024, a coalition of Muslim and Palestinian organizations from Chicago refused a meeting with the Biden campaign, stating, "There is no point in more meetings". [176] [177]
In a Reuters/ Ipsos poll released on November 15, 2023, 32% of respondents said that the U.S. should support Israel, 39% said that the U.S. should be a neutral mediator, 4% said that the U.S. should support Palestinians, and 15% said the U.S. shouldn't be involved at all. [179]
In a Gallup poll released on November 30, 2023, 50% of the U.S. respondents approved of Israel's military action in Gaza, and 45% disapproved. [180] In November 2023, the Jewish Election Institute found that 74% of Jewish American registered voters approved of the Biden administration's handling of the war. [181]
In a Data for Progress poll released on December 5, 2023, 61% of likely voters, including a majority of Democrats (76%) and Independents (57%) and a plurality of Republicans (49%), supported the U.S. calling for a permanent ceasefire and a de-escalation of violence in Gaza; 83% of Democrats, 74% of Independents, and 63% of Republicans supported sending food, water, and medical supplies to people in Gaza; 77% of Democrats, 63% of Independents, and 55% of Republicans supported ensuring that people in Gaza have reliable access to fuel and electricity; and 63% of voters, including 65% of those under age 45, agreed with the statement that âThe U.S. should hold its ally Israel to a high standard and only provide military aid to Israel if they meet our standards for human rights." [182]
In a The New York Times/ Siena College poll released on December 19, 2023, 44 percent of voters said that Israel should stop its military campaign to protect against civilian casualties, and 39 percent said that Israel should continue its military campaign even if it means that civilian casualties in Gaza mount. 57% of voters said that they disapproved of President Biden's handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, whereas 33% approved. [183]
In a The Economist/ YouGov poll released on January 24, 2024, 35% of U.S. adults agreed that Israel's military campaign against Palestinians amounts to genocide, 36% disagreed, and 29% were undecided. Among U.S. cirizens aged 18-29, 49% of those surveyed agreed that Israel is committing genocide, with 24% disagreeing, and 27% uncertain. [184]
In an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released on February 2, 2024, 50% of U.S. adults said that the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip had gone too far, whereas 31% said that it had "been about right", and 15% thought that it had "not gone far enough". [185]
As of February 25, 2024, over 70 cities in the United States have voted for a ceasefire. [186] [187]
In a Gallup poll released on March 4, 2024, positive opinions of Israel had dropped from 64% to 38% amongst young people aged 18 to 34. Overall, 58% of Americans had a positive view of Israel. [188]
In a Center for Economic and Policy Research poll released on March 5, 2024, 52% of U.S. citizens supported ending arms transfers to Israel. 62% of Democrats supported halting arms sales, while 14% disagreed, whereas 30% of Republicans supported the measure, and 55% opposed it. [189] [190]
In a Gallup Poll released on March 27, 2024, 55% of the responders disapproved of Israel's military action in Gaza, 36% approved, and 9% had no opinion. [178]
Some Israeli government members believed that Biden's support for Israel was not strong enough. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir stated, "Instead of giving us his full backing, Biden is busy with giving humanitarian aid and fuel [to Gaza], which goes to Hamas. If Trump was in power, the U.S. conduct would be completely different." [191] Israel's Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich stated Biden was involved in an anti-Semitic lie for issuing sanctions against violent West Bank settlers. [192] [a] Following comments by Biden in March 2024 that Israel's killing of civilians was "hurting Israel more than helping", the Israeli prime minister Netanyahu stated this was "false" and "wrong". [194] After a speech by Chuck Schumer calling for new elections after the war, Likud released a statement, saying, "Senator Schumer is expected to respect Israel's elected government and not undermine it. This is always true and even more so in wartime." [195]
On 27 March, Ben-Gvir stated, "Biden prefers the line of Rashida Tlaib and Sinwar to the line of Benjamin Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir. I would have expected the president of the United States not to take their line, but rather to take ours." [196] Following reports the U.S. was considering sanctions against an IDF unit charged with human rights abuses, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the sanctions the "height of absurdity and a moral low". [197] Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli stated, "If I were an American citizen with the right to vote, Iâd vote for Trump and Republicans". [198]
The United Nations General Assembly on October 27 voted a non-binding resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire to enable relief to enter Gaza; the United States stood with Israel in rejecting the proposal. The previous week, Washington had vetoed a resolution similar to this one at the more powerful UN Security Council. [199]
Progressive Democrats argue that the $14.3 billion package the White House has promised Israel violates the Leahy Act because most of the victims of Israel's attacks on Gaza are civilians. The act forbids the US State and Defence departments from providing security support to foreign governments that are suspected of violating human rights. The act's proponents refer to the increasing number of Gaza residents losing their lives as a result of military operations, the forced relocation of over a million people, and the escalating humanitarian situation following Israeli authorities' cuts to the region's supplies of fuel, food, water, and electricity. Congressman Andre Carson of Indiana wrote to the Guardian, accusing Israel of "war crimes" and citing the Israeli Defence Forces' (IDF) alleged use of white phosphorus and this week's deadly bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp. "I am very concerned that our taxpayer dollars may be used for violations of human rights," Carson wrote. The Biden administration declared earlier this week that it was not imposing any restrictions on Israel's use of the US-supplied weapons. According to Pentagon spokesman Sabrina Singh, "That is really up to the Israel Defense Force to use in how they are going to conduct their operations... But weâre not putting any constraints on that." Usamah Andrabi, Justice Democrats' director of communications â said âI think the Leahy Act should absolutely be looked into right now, when we are seeing gross violations of human rights,â he said. â[The Israelis] are targeting refugee camps, hospitals, mosques all under the guise of self-defense or that one or other member of Hamas is hiding there. It doesn't matter whether Hamas is there or not, because you are targeting civilians. No amount of tax dollars should be justified for that.â Like Carson, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, particularly mentioned the alleged use of white phosphorus, as asserted by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW), as a violation that should bar Israel from getting aid from the US. "Deployment of white phosphorus near populated civilian areas is a war crime," she said. [200]
Following the veto of another resolution in the UN Council on December 8, international human rights organizations issued the following statement: "By continuing to provide Israel with weapons [and] diplomatic cover as it commits atrocities, including collectively punishing the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, the US risks complicity in war crimes." [8]
Some scholars believe that America is complicit in an alleged genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinians. [201] [202] [203] Lawyers of the Center for Constitutional Rights warned the Biden administration that they could be held liable "for their failure to prevent Israel's unfolding genocide, as well as for their complicity, by encouraging it and materially supporting it." [204] In November 2023, president Joe Biden was nicknamed "Genocide Joe" by critics of his support for Israel. [205] National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, described by Israeli media outlet Ynet as "an exceptionally accomplished Israeli advocate," [206] said "Israel's trying to defend itself against a genocidal terrorist threat. So if we're going to start using that word, fine, let's use it appropriately." [205] While suing Joe Biden as the largest provider of military aid to Israel, the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) argued that "the United States has the means available to have a deterrent effect on Israeli officials now pursuing genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza." [207] In a declaration in the lawsuit, Genocide scholar William Schabas said that in his view there was a "serious risk of genocide" and that the US was "in breach of its obligation" under the 1948 Genocide Convention and international law. [208] [209] Rashida Tlaib, a Democratic representative of Michigan, accused Joe Biden of supporting the "genocide of the Palestinian people." [210]
On 30 October 2023, AIPAC, a leading pro-Israel lobbying group, issued a public critique of the members of Congress who voted against House Resolution 771, which expressed support for Israel. In response, Republican Thomas Massie defended his vote by saying he objected to a broad "open-ended promise of military support," while Democrats Cori Bush, Mark Pocan and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused AIPAC of harming US democracy. [211] [212] [213] On November 1, Ilhan Omar accused AIPAC of running Islamophobic ads against her. [214] On November 2, Rashida Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent, was the target of a $100,000 TV ad campaign by the Democratic Majority for Israel. [215]
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on December 5 passed a resolution that included language that said the House "clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism." The organization also condemned the slogan " From the river to the sea," [216] for which Tlaib was censured on November 5th. [217] Analysis from The Guardian showed that congress members who were supportive of Israel from the war's start had received an average of $100,000 more from pro-Israel donors than their pro-Palestinian colleagues. [218] Analysis of Federal Election Commission filings showed House Speaker Mike Johnson received $95,000 from AIPAC. [219]
In March 2024, a group of 20 progressive political organizations formed an anti-AIPAC coalition to push back against the lobbyist group's influence on U.S. politics. [220] In response to comments by Senator Chuck Schumer that Israel needed new elections to replace Netanyahu, J Street stated the speech "signals a historic shift from those in the Democratic party who care deeply about Israel's future". [221] Haaretz found that hundreds of fake social media accounts were targeting Democratic Party lawmakers with messages repeating Israeli government accusations relating to UNRWA and Hamas. [222]
The Biden Administration caused controversy after bypassing Congress on multiple occasions to authorize arms sales to the Israeli military. [223] Josh Paul, a senior State Department official specializing in arms transfers, resigned after stating the U.S. government continues to sell weapons to Israel despite its record of human rights abuses. [224] [225] An investigation by The Guardian found the U.S. government use special mechanisms to protect Israel from domestic human rights laws. [226] Unlike the United States' military support for Ukraine, details of weapons sent to Israel have been vague. [227] Leaked details have shown that the U.S. has sent laser-guided missiles, 155mm shells, new army vehicles, among others, at Israel's request. [228] Unnamed officials stated in March 2024 that the U.S. had signed off on an additional 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound bombs. [229]
" Direct action" tactics were adopted against arms companies in the United States that supplied arms to Israel, including Lockheed Martin, [230] General Dynamics, [231] Textron, [232] Boeing, [233] L3Harris, [234] Raytheon Technologies and Northrop Grumman. [235]
A group of seven U.S. Senators stated that the Biden Administration was in violation of the Foreign Assistance Act, which stipulates that weapons cannot be transferred to governments blocking humanitarian assistance. [236] Senator Chris Van Hollen called on Biden to cease weapons transfers, stating, "We need the president and the Biden administration to push harder and to use all the levers of US policy to ensure people don't die of starvation". [237]
War protesters on university campuses are calling for universities to withdraw any funding from arms manufacturers and companies linked to the Israeli military. [238]
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New York City Mayor Eric Adams opposed a ceasefire in Gaza. [292]
Israel and the United States were increasingly isolated as they faced global calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, including a non-binding vote expected to pass at the United Nations later on Tuesday. Israel has pressed ahead with an offensive against Gaza's Hamas rulers that it says could go on for weeks or months.
Israel and the United States on Tuesday showed their sharpest public disagreement yet over the conduct and future of the war against Hamas as the two allies became increasingly isolated by global calls for a cease-fire.
The United States was looking increasingly isolated on the world stage on Tuesday after a resounding vote at the UN general assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
As the Israeli military expands its military operations in Gaza, NBC News' Hala Gorani reports on the Israel Defense Forces latest offensive against Hamas and how the U.S. and Israel are becoming increasingly isolated internationally amid growing calls for a cease-fire.
shows him referring to his service in the U.S. armed forces and shouting "Free Palestine" as he burned.