Sen. Chris Van Hollen has pushed for a State Department investigation into whether Israel is violating international and U.S. law in Gaza. President Joe Biden issued a new policy, NSM-20, requiring a report on Israel’s conduct during its Gaza operation by May 8. The report has put the administration in a tough spot – acknowledging alarming actions by Israel may lead to calls for reassessment of U.S. support, while overlooking violations may lead to outrage over misrepresentation.
There is a split within the administration on the issue, with some agencies believing that Israel is not respecting international and U.S. laws, while others emphasize the risks of cutting off support to Israel. Van Hollen expressed alarm about the administration’s handling of the report, stressing the importance of honesty, facts, and law in the U.S. government’s credibility. An independent analysis performed by outside experts found that Israeli military actions in Gaza had violated international law and U.S. directives in a clear pattern, raising concerns about Israel’s promises to abide by the law.
The Biden administration has been investigating possible Israeli war crimes, such as strikes on civilian targets, despite public claims that there was no basis for questioning Israel’s actions. Democratic members of the House of Representatives have written to Biden expressing concerns that Israel’s restrictions on humanitarian aid for Gaza violate U.S. law. Israel has been carrying out an offensive in Gaza with nearly total U.S. support, causing significant casualties and a famine, in retaliation for an attack by Hamas.
Lawmakers are considering options to pressure Israel if it continues its offensive, including forcing a vote in the Senate on weapons sales to Israel. Congress passed a funding bill authorizing $15 billion in military aid for Israel, but lawmakers and the administration have flexibility in deciding how the funds can be used. Van Hollen and others are working to withhold offensive weapons to Israel until its policies change, while still recognizing Israel’s right to self-defense.
Activists hope that the upcoming Biden administration report on Israel’s conduct will lead to measures to ease suffering in Gaza and prevent further alleged war crimes. They are calling for accountability and a shift in the U.S. approach towards Israel, as the administration has failed to enforce U.S. law and policy in the past. The report and other assessments related to NSM-20 could have legal implications for U.S. support for Israel, and Congress may need to step in if the administration does not take necessary action.
