‘Historic’: NAACP urges President Biden to end arms transfers to Israel
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/6/historic-naacp-urges-biden-to-end-weapons-shipments-to-israel
The NAACP, one of the largest Black civil rights organisations in the US, urged Biden to “indefinitely” suspend weapon transfers to Israel in a sign of growing discontent with the US president’s support for the Israeli war on Gaza.
In a statement, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said the group has a “responsibility to speak out in the face of injustice and work to hold our elected officials accountable for the promises they’ve made”.
“The Middle East conflict will only be resolved when the US government and international community take action, including limiting access to weapons used against civilians,” Johnson said.
“The NAACP calls on President Biden to draw the red line and indefinitely end the shipment of weapons and artillery to the state of Israel and other states that supply weapons to Hamas.”
Rules-based international order established after World War II ‘falling apart’
Barry Trachtenberg, a historian and professor from Wake Forest University in the US, said while D-Day commemorations are under way in Europe, world leaders are closely watching what Israel is doing in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory.
“What we’re seeing is this clear double-standard where when it’s in the interests of the United States and Western allies, they’ll invoke international law. When it’s not in their interests, they’ll clearly violate international law,” he said.
He told Al Jazeera the rules-based order established after World War II is “falling apart”.
“What Israel has been doing since October 7 is clearly in strong violation of international law – of the Conventions on Genocide, and Geneva Conventions on the pursuit of war. International bodies that are there to enforce these laws are really quite powerless, in large part because of Western opposition,” Trachtenberg said.
“For the 36,000 Palestinians who have already been murdered after October 7, it’s clear this ‘order’ has already failed. Perhaps there’ll be possibilities to restore or strengthen it. But in the meantime, Palestinians are paying a very, very heavy price for this double standard.”
Palestinians react at a UN school after an Israeli attack killed dozens on Thursday
Countries must use ‘leverage’ in fighting impunity: UN relief chief
In a post on X, Martin Griffiths said an Israeli strike on a UN-run school in the Nuseirat refugee camp again shows there is “nowhere safe for civilians in Gaza”.
“The rules of war must be respected. Civilians must be protected,” Griffiths said. “States must use their leverage: Diplomatic and economic pressure, conditioning arms exports, and cooperation in fighting impunity.”
Yet another tragedy proving there is nowhere safe for civilians in Gaza.
The rules of war must be respected. Civilians must be protected. States must use their leverage: Diplomatic and economic pressure, conditioning arms exports, and cooperation in fighting impunity. https://t.co/uTRIsXkxVP
— UN Relief Chief (@UNReliefChief) June 6, 2024
