A coalition of press freedom, civil liberties, and human rights organizations have sent a letter to the White House urging the Biden administration to release a report on whether foreign countries, including Israel, are violating international humanitarian laws using U.S. military aid. President Biden issued a memo in February requiring federal agencies to assess compliance with the law and report to Congress. The deadline for the report was May 8, but it is unclear if it will be ready by then. The signatories, including Amnesty International, are calling for the report to be made public to bring transparency and accountability to the government.
The Biden administration is under pressure both domestically and internationally for its support of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of nearly 35,000 Palestinians. Israel has rejected a ceasefire proposal from Hamas and is preparing to invade the city of Rafah. Lawmakers and humanitarians fear that Israel’s actions may constitute war crimes, as an independent analysis endorsed by Senator Chris Van Hollen found violations of international law and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. The upcoming report under NSM-20 could have significant implications for the Biden administration’s stance on Israel and its handling of the conflict.
Access to the report is crucial for journalists and the public to understand how the U.S. government is responding to allegations of law violations by recipients of U.S. military aid. The letter from the coalition emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in assessing these allegations and ensuring compliance with NSM-20 standards. Amnesty International released a brief accusing Israel of breaking the law, and Senator Van Hollen highlighted the need for consistency in the administration’s response to these reports to maintain credibility.
The report’s potential release would allow comparisons between the U.S. assessment and claims made by organizations like Amnesty International, providing insight into the government’s response to allegations of law violations. The credibility of the Biden administration and the U.S. is at stake, as inconsistency in highlighting reports by organizations like Amnesty or Human Rights Watch could undermine their reputation. Making the report public would demonstrate a commitment to upholding international humanitarian laws and holding countries accountable for their actions.
The White House has not indicated whether the report will be made publicly available, despite the efforts of the coalition of organizations urging transparency and accountability. The lack of a response from the administration raises concerns about the handling of the investigation into potential law violations by countries receiving U.S. military aid. As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, the Biden administration’s response to the report’s findings will be closely watched both domestically and internationally for implications on U.S. foreign policy and human rights standards.
The Biden administration faces a challenging decision regarding the release of the report on potential violations of international humanitarian laws by countries receiving U.S. military aid. With mounting pressure from lawmakers, human rights organizations, and the public for transparency and accountability, the administration’s response to the upcoming report will have far-reaching implications for its stance on conflicts like the one in Gaza and its commitment to upholding international laws. The release of the report would provide vital information for journalists and the public to assess the government’s handling of these allegations and ensure adherence to NSM-20 standards.
