Secretary of State Antony Blinken faced tough questions this week regarding the Biden administration’s response to allegations of war crimes by Israel. A state department report released on Friday suggested that Israel may have violated international humanitarian laws in its treatment of civilians in Gaza, but stopped short of directly accusing Israel of violating its weapons-trading agreement with the US.
During interviews on political shows, Blinken defended the administration’s approach, stating that the US does not have double standards and treats Israel like any other country when assessing compliance with international humanitarian law. He acknowledged that the report found instances where Israel may have violated these laws.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns about Israel’s potential all-out assault on Rafah, a major civilian center in Gaza, and has delayed some weapons shipments in response. President Biden indicated that further weapons transfers could be halted if Israel proceeds with the assault.
As the death toll in Gaza rises, some Democrats, including Senator Bernie Sanders and Senator Chris Van Hollen, are calling for a halt to all US military aid to Israel. They argue that Israel’s actions may constitute war crimes and should not be supported by the US.
The situation remains tense as Israel prepares for potential military action in Gaza, and the Biden administration continues to monitor the situation closely. The debate over US support for Israel is likely to intensify as the conflict shows no signs of abating.