US President Joe Biden finds himself balancing on a tight rope due to the Gaza War. On the one hand he faces Legal pressure to cut the funding and supply of weapons to Israel and on the other he continues to do so under the tutelage of the Israelis. In February of last year, Biden changed the American standard for cutting of weapons deliveries to foreign militaries that harm civilians during war time. Under the new arms transfer policy, Mr Biden said countries were “more likely than not” to violate international law or human rights with American weapons should not receive them. Previously, U.S. officials were required to show actual knowledge” of such violations, a high bar to clear. (The New York Times)
The Palestinians in Gaza are the people who are bearing the brunt of this war and it has not been kind to them. Hamas may have not been wise when it launched its attack against Israel on October 8 which led to the onslaught, but this did not mean Israel could respond with such a provocative display of murder against an entire people. Washington for its part needs to stand up to the Israelis and say enough is enough. It should cut short the export of weapons to the Israelis in exchange for a ceasefire. But give the repression of student protests against the Zionist regime, it may not happen any time soon. Although many politicians in the governing U.S. Democratic Party are also raising their voices.
A few months later, in August, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken issued a directive instructing State Department officials overseas to investigate incidents of civilian harm by foreign militaries using American weapons and recommended responses that could include halting arms deliveries. (The New York Times)
Halting arms delivery should be the priority. The Zionist administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu enjoys a political culture of impunity and unaccountability for its crimes. To give such a regime an endless supply of weapons would mean being legally complicit in what ever repressive measures they are perpetrating with those weapons.
Al Jazeera News Channel has been banned in the Zionist State of Israel with in its territory. But they are trying their best to expose wrongdoing from across the border.
Netanyahu must immediately send a negotiating team to Egypt to finalize a deal with Palestinian factions in Gaza, says Yair Lapid (Leader of the Israeli Opposition). “Netanyahu should send the negotiating delegation to Cairo tonight,” the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted Lapid as saying. “They must not return with concluding a deal and releasing the hostages. There is no other mission, nothing else to do. There is no such thing as victory without reaching an agreement and releasing the hostages.” (Al Jazeera) For years, Israel and Turkey have been crucial trade partners. However, the Turkish government has demanded a halt to the war in Gaza that’s killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians in seven months. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Israel’s decision a total trade ban until Israel agrees to a ceasefire. But how will this affect the economies of both countries? (Al Jazeera)
So, there are those in the Zionist regime that want an end to the hostage crisis. Lapid like any other politician in the Israeli opposition wants the hostages returned. The Israeli prime minister for his part is increasingly growing more isolated. He facing mass street calls to step down, in Jerusalem and other major cities and he is also risking mass protests abroad. They say all is fair in love and war and this war. A war Israel might win, but at a great moral cost to itself. Erdogan for his part may finally be putting his money where his mouth is. Before the secular Turkish state was very warm to the Zionist regime. Now the war in Gaza is pushing both sides apart. The monarchy of Saudi Arabia which had previously also been considering having close diplomatic ties to the Israelis has recently distanced itself from such actions. The point is Israel is once more becoming isolated in the Middle East region.
It’s a matter that could determine Netanyahu’s political future.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
