From Washington Post on March 18: "On October 27, three weeks into Israel's attack in Gaza, top Biden officials privately told a small group assembled at the White House what they would not say in public: Israel was regularly bombing buildings without solid intelligence that they were legitimate military targets.
The group - top foreign policy officials from the Biden administration and previous ones — also discussed the apparent lack of an Israeli plan for ‘defeating’ Hamas despite repeated U.S. prodding, according to three people familiar with the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private exchange.
‘We never had a clear sense that the Israelis had a definable and achievable military objective,’ said one of those familiar with the meeting. ‘From the very beginning, there's been a sense of us not knowing how the Israelis were going to do what they said they were going to do.’
Publicly, however, the Biden administration was providing Israel unfettered support in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks. On the same day as the private meeting, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the U.S. was imposing no ‘red lines’ on Israel’s military campaign."
President Biden continues to supply and fund Israel while knowing since October 2023 that Israel has been targeting civilians. This is continued participation in this genocide and a violation of Leahy law, which prohibits our government from funding foreign forces who are implicated in gross human rights violations. Global human rights organizations have repeatedly reported on Israel’s gross human rights violations and war crimes. As people of conscience, we will not ignore this.
I support a ceasefire, along with 78 Congressmembers (as of March 15). The majority of Americans - including 77% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans - support a permanent ceasefire (Data for Progress, February 2024 report). We are paying attention to representatives who publicly call for a permanent ceasefire, which will shape the 2024 elections. I want you to cosponsor HR 786 by Rep Bush.
I am demanding you to take immediate steps to deescalate violence in Gaza and Israel by calling for 1) a total and permanent ceasefire, 2) humanitarian aid allowed to enter Gaza, 3) an end to Israel's siege on Gaza, 4) the release of all Palestinian and Israeli hostages, 5) no more weapons or funding to the Israeli military, 6) the reinstatement of UNRWA funding. A permanent ceasefire is an absolutely critical step to ensuring everlasting liberation and peace.
Never again means never again for anyone. Palestinians deserve to live with freedom and safety which means first stopping this genocide and then ensuring liberation from occupation and apartheid. The liberation and safety of Palestinians, Israelis, Jewish people, and Muslim people are intertwined. There can only be true safety when we are all free from oppression.
First sent on March 23 by Alice
