National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Monday that he would not be able to sell arms to Israel unless the Biden administration submits a report explaining how Israel’s use of weapons complies with international law. He admitted that he would consider canceling it.
Sullivan added that he expected Israel to submit such a report, but did not rule out cutting off U.S. supplies to Israel.
From the White House press conference transcript:
Q Thank you, Jake. The deadline for Israel to comply with the national security memorandum is approaching on Sunday. Did Israel respond in writing?
Mr. SULLIVAN: So, first of all, when you say “comply,” what they have to do by Sunday is a credible certainty that they will comply with their international obligations, not the obligations that we have imposed upon them. We only provide a warranty. They have a liberal embrace of international humanitarian law, which of course includes not arbitrarily interfering with the flow of humanitarian aid over which they have control.
Therefore, I cannot tell you today. Check today that they offered it. Obviously, as you said, there are a few more days before they have to do that. And we expect they will.
Benny Avi of the New York Sun report:
Last week, seven Democrats, led by Sens. Van Hollen, Merkley, and Sanders, claimed that Israel is violating Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. They called on Mr. Biden to limit assault weapons to the IDF.
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But how evenly are such laws enforced around the world? The reality is that arms are sold to enemies and allies alike on five continents, and rights violations go largely unnoticed. Not yet. Biden last month asked Congress to approve the sale of F-16s to Turkey, despite Turkey’s massacres of Kurds in Iraq and Syria.
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In an in-depth analysis of the Gaza War, West Point Urban Warfare Research Chair John Spencer wrote that Israel “scrupulously complied with the laws of armed conflict, despite great difficulties, and took many steps to prevent civilian casualties.” We have taken the following measures,” he concluded. Refusing arms to Israel would therefore be a “political decision” that is “not supported by what actually happened in Israel and Gaza,” Spencer told the Sun.
Avni noted that Democrats typically call for human rights provisions to apply to U.S. allies but not to U.S. enemies and rivals, giving the impression that the U.S. is not a trusted friend. .
Israel has steadfastly maintained that it adheres to the highest standards of human rights and international humanitarian law in the Gaza Strip and generally.
Joel B. Pollack is a senior editor at Breitbart News. Breitbart News Sunday Sunday nights from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (4:00 PM to 7:00 PM PT) on Sirius XM Patriot. He is the author of a recent book.The Zionist conspiracy (and how to join it)‘ is now available on Audible. He is also the author of an e-book. Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 US Presidential Election. He is the recipient of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter @joelpolak.
