“Unconscionable”: U.S. Fails to Implement U.S. Law in Response to Israel’s Blocking of Aid

14 November 2024

In response to the confirmation by Secretary of State Blinken today that the Government of Israel will face no policy consequences for its blocking of humanitarian assistance into the occupied Gaza Strip, Paul O'Brien, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, made the following statement:

"Thirty days ago, Secretaries Blinken and Austin warned the government of Israel that 'failure to demonstrate a sustained commitment to implementing and maintaining these measures may have implications for U.S. policy under NSM-20 and relevant U.S. law.' Since their letter, humanitarian aid entering Gaza reached its lowest levels since Israel imposed its total siege on Gaza in October 2023 and the Israeli military has terrifyingly escalated its efforts to cut off of aid to and forced displacement of people living in the area north of Wadi Gaza. Yet the government of Israel continues to get a green light to proceed as they have.

"For over a year now, the humanitarian catastrophe, including the spread of severe hunger and disease, due to Israel's blocking of humanitarian access and other conduct in the occupied Gaza Strip has been abundantly clear - and getting worse. Instead of taking action as required by U.S. and international law, the Biden administration watched the humanitarian situation continue to worsen for another 30 days, while the weapons kept flowing to the Israeli government apace. Now, they have said they plan to continue this disastrous approach.

"Instead of taking action as required by U.S. and international law, the Biden administration watched the humanitarian situation continue to worsen for another 30 days, while the weapons kept flowing to the Israeli government apace. Now, they have said they plan to continue this disastrous approach.

"Rather than a meaningful attempt to evoke compliance, the Biden administration's letter now seems like a performative act of concern because it still refuses to impose real consequences for failure to comply.

"The cruel and devastating humanitarian situation for Palestinians in Gaza has been documented for the entire world to see. Humanitarian experts have warned about it for months. Human rights experts have warned about it for months. And even the administration has acknowledged it.

"In January, March and May 2024, against the backdrop of a plausible risk of genocide, the International Court of Justice unequivocally ordered Israel to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure the entry and delivery of desperately needed aid to avert further irreparable harm to Palestinians in Gaza.

"It's unconscionable that the Biden administration continues to ignore the facts on the ground to avoid implementing U.S. law and keep the weapons flowing. U.S. and international law are clear that that the U.S. must suspend the transfer of weapons until the government of Israel is not violating international humanitarian and human rights law.

"The Biden administration has consistently failed to uphold human rights in its foreign policy. Now, Congress must assert its oversight power and take action. Senators will have a critical opportunity in the coming days; Amnesty International USA urges all Senators to vote in favor of the joint resolutions of disapproval to block specific weapons sales to the Israeli government."