Biden Administration Won’t Conclude Israel Violated Terms of US Weapons Agreement: Report

The Biden administration has come under fire for its response to Israel’s use of US-supplied weapons in its conflict with Hamas. A new report from the State Department’s National Security Memorandum 20 has raised concerns about the use of these weapons, but could not definitively determine if Israel had violated international humanitarian law.

The report stated that while there were no specific violations found, it is reasonable to assess that US-supplied arms have been used by the Israeli military in ways that are inconsistent with US government requirements. This assessment comes amid a standoff between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the potential invasion of Rafah, a Hamas stronghold.

President Biden recently paused a shipment of bombs to Israel out of concern for their use in Rafah, and threatened to halt some weapons shipments if Israel proceeded with its plans. Republicans on Capitol Hill have criticized the report, accusing the administration of providing political cover for Biden and trying to undermine Israel politically.

Despite the controversy, the report found no reason to bar arms shipments to other countries such as Colombia, Iraq, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, and Ukraine. The State Department’s findings are expected to have broader implications for US foreign policy and military assistance to allies around the world.

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