Internet in spilts after Biden administration accuses Israel Defense Forces of human rights violations

WASHINGTON, DC: The United States government has accused five units of the Israel Defense Forces of "individual incidents of gross violations of human rights", the State Department announced on Monday, April 29. However, that does not ensure that the Biden administration would take serious steps and cut down funding to their significant ally under the so-called 'Leahy Laws.'

State Department principal deputy spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters at a press briefing that the human rights violations happened all before the October 7 attacks by Hamas militants on southern Israel and none happened in Gaza. Four of the units have "effectively remediated", he said, adding that the US continues "in consultations and engagements with the government of Israel" on the remaining unit.

What did Vedant Patel say?

"They have submitted additional information as it pertains to that unit. And we're continuing to have those conversations consistent with the memorandum of understanding that we have with the government of Israel that was entered into in 2021," Patel said, as per Fox News. 

"When conclusions are made under actions that fall under the auspices of the Foreign Assistance Act, we are required to consult with officials from the government of Israel, and that is ongoing. We are engaging with them in a process, and we will make an ultimate decision when it comes to that unit when that process is complete", he added. He also noted that "the remediation standard is consistent and it is the same for all countries." 

The fifth unit is eligible to receive US arms

When pressed by a reporter, Patel admitted that the fifth unit is still eligible to receive US arms at this stage.

"When we're talking about the Leahy Law, what we are talking about our unit and component restrictions, when they are found in violation, it is not have bearing on the broader security relationship that we may have with a country, especially a country like Israel, in which we have a longstanding security relationship. The provision of bulk assistance that's gone back many, many years," Patel added.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed concern to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

A senior State Department official told the outlet that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has raised the matter with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. 

The State Department says on its website that "the term ‘Leahy law’ refers to two statutory provisions prohibiting the US Government from using funds for assistance to units of foreign security forces where there is credible information implicating that unit in the commission of gross violations of human rights." 

Background on the term 'Leahy law'

Former Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy had championed legislation that became the Leahy law in the 1990s, saying the US needed a tool to block American military aid and training to foreign security units guilty of extrajudicial killings, rapes, torture and other flagrant human rights abuses. 

The law requires an automatic cutoff of aid to a military unit if the State Department finds credible evidence that it has committed gross abuses. A second Leahy law says the same for Defense Department training of foreign militaries. 

Rights groups have criticized the Biden administration 

Rights groups long have accused the present US government of shirking rigorous investigations of allegations of Israeli military killings and other abuses against Palestinians to avoid invoking such laws aimed at conditioning military aid to lawful behavior by foreign forces.

International Criminal Court could soon issue arrest warrants 

Israel, meanwhile, said that its security forces investigate abuses and its courts hold offenders accountable. The development comes as Israeli officials are growing concerned that the International Criminal Court could soon issue arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials over charges related to the war in Gaza, reports say.  

The death toll in the Gaza Strip has risen to at least 34,454 following 205 days of war between Israel and Hamas, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported on Sunday, April 28. The ministry does not distinguish between casualties among civilians and Hamas fighters, CNN reports. 

Internet reacts to US government's accusations on the Israel Defense Forces

Internet users gave mixed opinions on the Biden administration ISD responsible "for individual incidents of gross violations of human rights." One user tweeted, "SO they are trying to lay the ground work for blaming the IDF for oct 7 this will only ignite more violence on these campuses against Jewish students. Disgraceful administration." 

Another wrote, "This coming from the USA who was responsible for the death of millions of innocent civilians in the Middle East." "We should stop sending them money," opined one while another said, "Bible prophecy being fulfilled. Very soon the rapture and then the Tribulation prophesied for Israel and an unbelieving world." 

"Now that 70% of Americans disapprove of Biden mostly over funding Ukraine and Israel. Biden want to bring up the war crimes we have all been witnessing online for a year and complaining about," added one user. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.