Palestine

[Thumpalumpacus]

Israel is directing Palestinians to ‘safe zones’ in Gaza, then proceeding to bomb those areas.

Tell me again how this is a war against Hamas and not Palestinians.

Boru

WASHINGTON ― Shortly after Hamas killed about 1,200 Israelis — mostly civilians — and abducted more than 200 hostages, Biden administration officials told U.S. lawmakers to prepare their constituents for a long war in Gaza.

In the days after the Oct. 7 attack, the Defense Department began rushing weapons to Israel, including Small Diameter Bombs, precision-guided munitions, armored tanks, artillery rounds and ammunition.

The White House and the Pentagon both said at the time they would set “no red lines” for Israel’s military activities in Gaza. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed on Oct. 12 the U.S. had “not placed any conditions on the provision” of U.S. weapons and assistance for Israel.

[...]

But Biden has been hesitant to use one tool at his disposal to steer the conflict: He’s yet to impose conditions on the $3.8 billion in annual military assistance Israel receives from the United States. Now, a growing group of Democratic lawmakers is pushing him to put more pressure on Israel by using existing U.S. laws and regulations as Congress considers passing an additional $14 billion in aid to the close U.S. ally.

A series of human rights laws, sponsored by former Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has ensnared numerous military units in U.S.-backed countries, including Ukraine, every year since its inception nearly three decades ago. Leahy, congressional staffers and former administration officials have sought to apply these laws to Israel while noting Biden is not adhering to his own internal arms transfers policy.

[...]

The laws cut off security aid to specific units of foreign militaries if the Pentagon and the State Department determine a country has committed a gross violation of human rights, such as shooting civilians or summarily executing prisoners. The aid remains off limits until the country brings those responsible to justice. The goal is to leverage U.S. military aid as an accountability measure to improve allies’ human rights records.

[...]

Multiple former administration officials and congressional staffers noted no Israeli security force has lost assistance, despite credible reports of human rights abuses, such as torturing prisoners or killing Palestinian civilians.

[...]

A December Amnesty International investigation found two separate Israeli strikes on Gaza homes in October killed a combined 43 civilians. Both used Boeing-manufactured Joint Direct Attack Munitions to convert the 1,000-plus pound bombs into precision-guided munitions, according to the investigation, which found no Hamas or militant activity in either home.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/congress/2...srael-aid/

As if our aid to Saudi Arabia helping create a catastrophe in Yemen wasn't enough ... blood on our hands all over the place.