War in Gaza - US State Department Lacks Own Standards in Regard to Israel
Concerning the adherence to global guidelines, the US State Department stated that their standards aren't specifically applied to Israel. Mark C. Toner, US State Department Spokesman, replied in Washington, "We follow the same standards with Israel as we do with every other country."
These standards encompass the Gaza Strip and areas beyond it. "Adherence to international law is obligatory," Toner further elaborated. "Whether we find transgressions or issues of anxiety, we don't only notify the Israeli government but also engage in suitable reactions."
On a Monday, Toner validated that five Israeli military units were found to have committed "serious human rights violations" before the Gaza war began on October 7th. The investigation concluded that four battalions have rectified these infractions, while the audit of a fifth unit is still underway.
No details about the specific violations emerged
Toner, however, refrained from explicitly revealing the specific violations, how they were rectified, and whether any further consequences were being contemplated. Instead, he emphasized repeatedly that it's an "ever-evolving process."
The media has been inquiring about US measures towards Israeli entities engaging in possible infringements of international law. On April 17th, the journalistic collective "ProPublica" released an article claiming that months ago, a committee within the US State Department had recommended cancelling US assistance to numerous Israeli military and police divisions due to human rights abuses in the West Bank, prior to the Gaza war. The article suggest that some rape cases and arbitrary killings figured in these transgressions.
Biden's aggravation with the Israeli government
Last week, ABC News broadcasted that US officials had rescinded plans to impose sanctions on Israeli military units. Israel had promised corrective measures, per ABC News, citing a letter from Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, to Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had dismissed the idea of sanctions as "surreal" and a "low point of morality." According to the "ProPublica" report, State Department officials commented that Blinken's inaction is interpreted by the Israelis as a sign that the US government won't enforce significant actions - contradicting President Joe Biden's escalating criticism of the Israeli government.
Division within the US State Department
On February 8th, Biden demanded from foreign nations written guarantees that US military assistance would not infringe upon international law. The US State Department is to submit a report on the process to Congress – the due date is May 8th. Nations whose US aid is approved by Congress and who are currently involved in armed conflicts, including Israel, will be subject to this procedure. If these countries fail to provide their assurances within a specific window, military aid termination is contemplated.
Read also:
Source: www.stern.de
