US Officials Now Demand Reckoning for Israeli 'Crimes'
The New Arab's call for accountability in Gaza is a regular feature. But suddenly, as a ceasefire looms, you hear whispers from official D.C. about 'reckoning' for Israel's conduct. A convenient shift in rhetoric, perhaps, for the same administration that recently sidestepped a new congressionally mandated report on Israel's use of U.S. weapons and its compliance with international humanitarian
law ( U.S. State Dept. report, May 2024 , page 9, finding it 'reasonable to assess' violations may have occurred, yet still providing aid). Remember, this is the same Washington that just green-lit another '$14.3 billion security package' for Israel less than six months ago, with 70 senators voting yes ( H.R. 815, 118th Congress ). One might ask if 'reckoning' is merely a PR term for when the
cameras are off, or if it involves, say, demanding back the $3.8 billion in annual military aid, or perhaps suspending offensive weapons transfers ( CRS Report, June 2024 , page 2). Or is it just another carefully calibrated performance, designed for consumption while the bulldozers keep moving?