At the request of left-wing Democrats, the Biden administration on Thursday released a memorandum calling on Israel to submit a report within 45 days on its compliance with international humanitarian law in the fight against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
of memoIn theory, it was announced by the White House. apply against countries that receive weapons from the United States and are actively involved in armed conflict. But the White House largely acknowledged Friday that it had targeted Israel.
The following exchange took place with press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at Friday’s White House press conference (via the White House) transcript):
Q Thank you, Karin. Last night, shortly after the president’s comments on Israel, the administration released a national security memo asking the State Department to provide written assurances that countries receiving weapons from the United States will use those weapons in accordance with the laws of war.
Jake Sullivan, Kirby and others have previously said the United States already needs such guarantees, so why did the administration feel the need to formalize them and request them in writing now? Or?
M.S. Jean-Pierre: So, look, this memo, the memorandum that you’re talking about, and it was partially fused with our discussions with members of Congress. So, obviously, this memo was released yesterday. So it’s called the National Security Memorandum. It outlines the standards and counts that each country must adhere to, as you just indicated.
However, at the same time, I want to be clear that there are new standards. There are no new standards in this memo. We are not imposing new standards on military aid. That’s not what this memo says. Instead, we publicly define existing standards of international law, including the laws of armed conflict.
So one of the things we’re also working on is producing a new annual report to Congress that our members have requested. This is requested in the interest of transparency. So this is consistent with the conversations we’re having with members of Congress that we’re actually trying to work with. It makes sense and moves the ball forward.
But this is not a new norm. This is — this is what — these are — these are — these are things that already exist — to your point — it’s now documented. And we created a new annual report to increase transparency.
Q So if Israel does not reach an agreement within the 45-day deadline because it is involved in an active conflict, will U.S. aid be immediately cut off?
M.S. Jean-Pierre: So, what I can say is that we briefed the Israelis on this. They reiterated their readiness to provide these types of guarantees. So these conversations have been taking place and they have – obviously, reiterated their desire to seek these assurances.
Left-wing Democrats and socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) have used Israeli compliance with human rights standards as a means to shame Israel and block US support for Israel’s war effort against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. We are requesting a report regarding. .
When it came to a vote, Sanders’ proposal received just 11 votes in the Senate. By issuing the memorandum, President Joe Biden is essentially sidelining Congress and suggesting that Israel will be forced to comply with its critics’ demands.
The new requirements come amid increasing pressure on Israel from the Biden administration to end the war and mounting public criticism. It also comes as Israel faces false charges of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
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 the recent book, The Zionist Conspiracy (And How to Participate in It), 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.
