Recent news highlights Israel’s violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, as well as the NSM-20 weapons policy and Israel’s use of US weapons.
NSM-20, also known as National Security Memorandum 20, states that foreign security partners must submit assurances to the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, affirming that they do not block arbitrarily American humanitarian aid and do not violate international humanitarian law. These assurances must be deemed credible by the Secretaries of State and Defense.
According to a joint memorandum presented by Oxfam and Human Rights Watch, Israel violated international humanitarian law in Gaza by using white phosphorus supplied by the United States during military operations in Lebanon and Gaza. Indiscriminate or disproportionate strikes have also been documented on or near several major hospitals, including an attack on a marked ambulance that reportedly killed 15 people and injured 60.
Additionally, Israel reportedly blocked humanitarian aid, including that provided by the United States, to approximately 300,000 Palestinians remaining in northern Gaza. The organizations stressed that famine now threatens northern Gaza and the rest of the Strip if Israel persists in its hostilities and restrictions on humanitarian access.
UN experts have warned against transferring weapons or munitions to Israel that could be used in Gaza, stressing that this would likely violate international humanitarian law. Several countries such as Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Japan have suspended their arms transfers to Israel in response to this concern.
It is clear that a review of Israeli assurances regarding respect for international law is necessary. The United States is currently reviewing these assurances and Israel must provide written assurances by the Sunday deadline.
It is crucial that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin consider expected future violations when assessing the credibility of the Israeli government’s assurances. The organizations stress the need to suspend arms transfers to Israel as long as there is a major risk that they will be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
In conclusion, international pressure is increasing for a cessation of arms transfers to Israel and Palestinian armed groups in order to prevent further violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. The recent actions of countries like Canada demonstrate this desire to put an end to complicity in these reprehensible acts.