As casualties from U.S.-backed Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon approach 42,000 and 2,000 respectively, a coalition of House Democrats is urging the Biden administration to hold Israel accountable under U.S. human rights laws. In a letter dated September 30, recently disclosed by HuffPost, Representatives Jim McGovern, Barbara Lee, Betty McCollum, Mark Pocan, and Joaquin Castro expressed alarm over the lack of enforcement of the Leahy Law concerning U.S. assistance to Israel.
The Leahy Laws, enacted in the late 1990s, prohibit military aid to foreign security forces that engage in gross human rights violations. The lawmakers urged the administration to enforce these laws and halt assistance to any Israeli military unit accused of such violations. They reaffirmed their support for Israel's right to self-defense while stressing the need for compliance with U.S. law in military operations.
The letter cited credible reports of severe human rights abuses by Israeli security forces, including torture and extrajudicial killings. With escalating violence following the October 7 attack by Hamas and subsequent Israeli retaliation, the situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, resulting in mass casualties and displacement.
Amid ongoing international scrutiny, Israel is facing genocide charges at the International Court of Justice. The lawmakers highlighted a troubling pattern of impunity regarding U.S. military aid and called for accountability, particularly in light of recent incidents involving American citizens harmed by Israeli forces. They emphasized the importance of enforcing the Leahy Law to prevent U.S. complicity in human rights violations and to encourage accountability among foreign governments.
