Just days away from the Biden administration issuing its opinion on whether Israel is violating international and U.S. law in Gaza, Senator Chris Van Hollen, who pushed for a State Department probe on the matter, expressed doubts that he will receive an honest answer. The Senator rallied support from 19 colleagues in December to demand assurances that all countries receiving American weaponry follow international and U.S. laws regarding violence against civilians and humanitarian aid. In February, President Biden issued a new policy asking for a report on Israel’s conduct during its Gaza operation by May 8, presenting a test for the administration on how it will address its ally’s actions.
Biden’s administration appears to be divided on this issue with reports suggesting that U.S. agencies believe Israel may be violating international and U.S. laws but also highlight the risks of cutting off support for Israel. Despite skepticism from outside analysts, some State Department officials are endorsing Israel’s promises to abide by the law. Van Hollen expressed alarm over the administration’s handling of the report, emphasizing the importance of honesty, fact, and lawfulness in U.S. government reports. He also referred to an independent analysis by outside experts that pointed out numerous violations of international law and U.S. directives by Israel, offering an important comparison to the administration’s forthcoming report.
The administration remains tight-lipped about the contents of the upcoming report, but Van Hollen and other lawmakers have openly expressed concerns and engaged in ongoing efforts to prevent the sale of offensive weapons to Israel until policy changes are made. Congressional staff are preparing options to pressure Netanyahu if he continues with the offensive in Gaza, including a potential up-or-down vote on weapons sales to Israel. Activists and humanitarian groups hope that the forthcoming Biden administration report will bring about accountability and lead to a shift in U.S. policy towards Israel, particularly concerning the alleged violations of international law and human rights in Gaza.
While lawmakers and Biden administration officials have worked to address American concerns over Israel’s actions, particularly regarding humanitarian aid and civilian casualties, challenges remain as Netanyahu has not fully complied with demands for policy changes. The external assessments and data tracking since October have provided evidence that could have legal implications for U.S. support for Israel, and activists are calling on Congress to take a more active role in ensuring accountability and compliance with U.S. laws and policies. As the Biden administration prepares to release its report, stakeholders are hopeful that it will mark a turning point in U.S. policy towards Israel and prevent further harm and potential war crimes in Gaza.
