A New York-based legal advocacy organization said Tuesday that it is suing US President Joe Biden and members of his administration for failing to prevent the “genocide” of the Palestinian people in Gaza
“This case is brought on behalf of Palestinian human rights organizations and individuals to enforce what is perhaps the most basic and important legal and moral obligation in the world – the obligation to prevent genocide the destruction of a people” the Center for Constitutional Rights’ (CCR) wrote in the introduction of the complaint.
The complaint which was brought on behalf of several Palestinian groups including Al-Haq and Defense for Children International argues that the “unfolding genocide” of the Palestinian people in Gaza has so far been made possible because of the “unconditional support given” by the defendants President Joe Biden Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
“As Israel’s closest ally and strongest supporter being its biggest provider of military assistance by a large margin and with Israel being the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign assistance since World War II the United States has the means available to have a deterrent effect on Israeli officials now pursuing genocidal acts against the Palestinian people in Gaza” it added.
It also accused the defendants of rejecting calls for a cease-fire or limits on the Israeli use of US military assistance despite “staggering civilian casualties.”
Meanwhile more than 400 political appointees and staff members representing some 40 government agencies sent a letter to President Biden on Tuesday protesting his support of Israel in its war on Gaza.
The letter part of growing internal dissent over the administration’s support of the Israeli war calls on the president to seek an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and to push Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the territory. It is the latest of several protest letters from officials throughout the Biden administration including three internal memos to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken signed by dozens of State Department employees as well as an open letter signed by more than 1000 employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
“The overwhelming majority of Americans support a cease-fire” the letter said citing a poll by Date for Progress released Oct. 18 – 19 showing 66% of Americans including 80% of Democrats as saying the US should pressure Israel to impose a cease-fire.
“Furthermore Americans do not want the U.S. military to be drawn into another costly and senseless war in the Middle East” it said.
The letter came after at least three internal dissent channels have been filed by dozens of State Department employees in addition to an open letter by some employees of US Agency for International Development (USAID) that criticized the Biden administration’s policy on Israel.
