A coalition of lawyers domestic and abroad — including at least 20 that work in the Biden administration — are calling on President Joe Biden to halt military aid to Israel, arguing that its actions in Gaza do not comply with U.S. and international humanitarian law.
“This is a moment where the U.S. government is violating its own laws and policy,” said a Department of Justice staffer who signed the letter and was granted anonymity to speak candidly to not risk their job. “The administration may be seeing silence or only a handful of resignations, but they are really not aware of the magnitude of discontent and dissent among the rank and file.”
They plan to send a letter arguing their case to Attorney General Merrick Garland and general counsels across the administration in the coming days. In the letter, obtained by POLITICO, the lawyers contend that Israel likely violated U.S. statutes including the Arms Export Control Act and Leahy Laws as well as the Geneva Conventions prohibiting disproportionate attacks on civilian populations.
The group that drafted the letter includes current attorneys from the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department. While the letter is still circulating for signatures, so far more than 90 lawyers have signed on, including from the departments of Justice, Labor and Energy, along with lawyers at the European Commission and in the private sector.
“The law is clear and aligned with the majority of Americans who believe the U.S. should cease arms shipments to Israel until it stops its military operation in Gaza,” the letter states, citing polling showing most Biden supporters want an arms embargo imposed.
The letter additionally calls for the Justice Department to investigate whether any U.S. citizens serving in the Israeli military may have committed war crimes that could be prosecuted under U.S. law.
So the only reason he keeps doing this is because he believes that sending bombs to Israel will somehow win him the election? WTF?
What's the worst that would happen? Reputation on humanitarian law is already in tatters...
Biden should be impeached for violating US laws. Him and Blinken definately will be subject to that
@TwoPartyCowGreen2wks2W
Now?! Tell them to get their hands off it. The time to cut them off was 5 months ago. He will be tried regardless.
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
Should the potential for war crimes committed by a nation's military justify a halt in aid from its allies, even if that nation has been a close partner for decades?
@ISIDEWITH2wks2W
If a group of government lawyers believe their own government is acting against its laws, should they stay silent, resign, or speak out?
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