Concern about breaches of international law
US officials question Israel’s legitimate use of US weapons
April 28, 2024, 5:02 a.m
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Criticism of Israel’s actions in the Gaza war is being voiced within the US State Department. Some employees fear that the Israeli military is ignoring international humanitarian law when using US weapons. They also question Israel’s credibility.
There are considerable doubts among US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s staff about the lawful use of US arms supplies by Israel. In an internal ministry document, senior officials in several departments said they did not view Israel’s assurances that these weapons would be used in accordance with international humanitarian law as “credible or reliable.”
A joint statement by four offices, including the Office for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and the Office for Population, Refugees and Migration, expressed serious concerns about non-compliance with international humanitarian law during the course of the war. Their assessment said Israeli assurances were neither credible nor reliable. Examples of military actions were listed that government officials said raised questions about possible violations.
According to the statement, these included repeated attacks on protected sites and civilian infrastructure, a “disproportionate level of civilian harm for the benefit of military advantage” or the killing of humanitarian aid workers and journalists on an unprecedented scale. The Office of Political and Military Affairs, which is also responsible for military aid and arms supplies, warned Secretary Blinken not to suspend arms supplies from the United States.
Disagreement in the Foreign Ministry
This would limit Israel’s ability to defend itself and require Washington to reassess all “current and future sales to countries in the region.” The statements provide the most comprehensive picture yet of the disagreement within the State Department over whether Israel may be violating international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip. “Some parts of the ministry are in favor of accepting Israel’s assurances, others are in favor of rejecting them, and others did not take a position,” a government official said.
A ministry spokesman declined to comment on this information. Blinken must report to Congress by May 8 on whether he believes Israel’s assurances that it is using U.S.-supplied weapons in accordance with U.S. and international law. The USA is supporting its ally despite growing criticism of its actions in the fight against the radical Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The humanitarian situation in the coastal area in particular is increasingly fueling international concerns. Hamas said it killed 1,200 people and kidnapped 250 as hostages in an attack on Israel in October.