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My last week was rich in resources clarifying how things work in the U.S. government when it comes to Gaza.
First, I received a copy of Peace & Planet News with an eye-opening article titled “A Nation of Law (Breaking): Carnage and Death in Gaza Facilitated and Enabled by U.S. Weapons.” Then, I viewed an excellent webinar: “Conversation on the Gaza Genocide with Norman Finkelstein and Chris Hedges.” And finally, I came across a letter from the National Lawyers Guild and others to congressional representatives stating that the emergency military aid package about to be voted on would provide funds to Israel to “support its ongoing genocide of, and war crimes against, Palestinians …”
What the article, webinar and letter have in common is a focus on U.S. federal laws allegedly being violated by the Biden administration and Congress through provision of funds and munitions to Israel. How is it that elected officials can seemingly break federal laws without legal repercussions? A good question, and one I don’t have an answer for.
But what I do have is hope: hope for justice at long last for Palestinians and hope that those who supported what’s happening in Gaza will face the possible consequences spelled out in the National Lawyers Guild letter: “Please take notice that … you risk facing criminal and civil liability for aiding and abetting genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law, and may face investigation and prosecution at the International Criminal Court.”
Connie Jenkins
Belfast
