Israeli military vehicles near the border of the Gaza Strip Israel has seized a border crossing near Rafah, ordering over 100,000 people to evacuate the city without providing secure destinations. Recent strikes have worsened the already dire situation in the region, leading to widespread hunger and a critical humanitarian crisis. In response to fears that Israel may further use the 2,000-pound bombs in a military operation in Rafah, the Biden administration has recently announced a temporary suspension of their shipment. The United States finds itself at a crossroads about its stance on Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict. The question at hand is whether or not the U.S. will prioritize the welfare of those impacted by the violence that has caused a considerable humanitarian catastrophe. Our Editorial Opinion U.S. Double Standards on Human Rights Abuses The U.S. promotes democratic values and human rights globally. However, its selective approach to condemning human rights abuses has raised concerns about its consistency and commitment to universal human rights standards. Specifically, while the U.S. has publicly criticized and even imposed punishments for breaches of human rights in nations such as Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and other countries across the globe, it has demonstrated a reluctance to address similar offenses when they occur in Israel’s occupied territories. The Biden administration’s recent reports confirm that there is “reasonable evidence” that Israel used U.S.-provided weapons against noncombatants in Gaza, potentially violating international humanitarian law. However, “it is unclear whether Israel definitively broke international law, as the U.S. lacks all necessary information,” the reports said. How could there not be enough information about the catastrophe caused by Israel’s unconventional use of deadly weapons in Gaza, which the UN and many human rights organizations confirmed happened? Even President Biden, in his self-assessment on CNN, confirmed Israel had inappropriately used the 2000-pound munitions on the civilian population. In a recent interview on Meet the Press, U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken said the U.S. treats Israel with the same accountability as any other country when it comes to humanitarian crimes. In another interview on Face the Nation, he concludes that “It’s reasonable to assess that in a number of instances, Israel has not reacted in a manner that is consistent with international humanitarian law.” Any observer of U.S. international relations would laugh at Blinken’s conflicting statements, blatantly stretching the facts. Most Republicans have seen nothing wrong in Israel’s conduct of the war. It is deeply troubling to witness how some politicians prioritize their political agendas over addressing the dire situation of the people in Gaza, even when it’s evident that Israel has committed war crimes. If Jewish children were being killed in a conflict, these same politicians, regardless of party affiliation, would express outrage and call for immediate action to protect civilian lives and hold those responsible for the killings accountable. it is difficult to fathom a human being who would observe another individual’s degradation and remain unmoved or unaffected. Meanwhile, many Democrats have raised issues and demanded accountability. Below are some Democratic senators who have expressed their frustrations at Israel’s conduct of the war. - Bernie Sanders (Vermont)
- Elizabeth Warren (Massachusetts)
- Chris Murphy (Connecticut)
- Brian Schatz (Hawaii)
- Sherrod Brown (Ohio)
- Tammy Baldwin (Wisconsin)
- Jeff Merkley (Oregon)
- Ron Wyden (Oregon)
- Ed Markey (Massachusetts)
Senators Van Hollen and Jeff Markley find it implausible that the U.S. government needs more information than NGOs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Oxfam to confirm Israel has broken international humanitarian law. They both expressed dissatisfaction with the reports. Senator Van Hollen further emphasized that it is not credible for the government to have a lower level of insight than NGOs regarding the matters at hand. Perhaps Senator Bernie Sanders, who is also Jewish, has described the situation in Gaza better than anyone else, “Any objective observer knows Israel has broken international law, it has broken American law, and in my view, Israel should not be receiving another nickel in U.S. military aid … That is not the way you conduct a war in a civilized society … “We are talking about 60% of the housing in Gaza has been destroyed … The civilian infrastructure — that is water, that sewage is now running out in the streets, No electricity … the systematic destruction of the healthcare system there. Every University in Gaza has been bombed … hundreds of thousands of children facing starvation.” Some Democratic congressmen and congresswomen who perceived as injustices and human rights violations have also condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza or have called for a reevaluation of U.S. policy towards the Israel-Palestinian conflict. We at Moderate Voices of America are in support of these men and women of courage. As global citizens, we advocate for peace, justice, human rights, and solidarity with the most vulnerable and marginalized. This means challenging policies and actions that perpetuate violence and injustice and working toward constructive solutions that promote reconciliation, mutual respect, and the dignity of all people. It is vital to hold those responsible for human rights violations of international law, regardless of political interest and affiliation. Visit our website and send us your comments: https://moderatevoices.org/membership/ Editorial Board Moderate Voices of America 30 Wall Street, 8th Floor New York, New York 10005 212 406-1958 infor@moderatevoices.org moderatevoices.org | 
Smoke billows following Israeli strikes in Rafah on May 7, 2024.
