Some senior U.S. officials have advised Secretary of State Antony Blinken that they do not find “credible or reliable” Israel’s assurances that it is using U.S.-supplied weapons in accordance with international humanitarian law, according to an internal State Department memo.

Other officials upheld support for Israel’s representation.

Under a National Security Memorandum (NSM) issued by President Joe Biden in February, Blinken must report to Congress by May 8 whether he finds credible Israel’s assurances that its use of U.S. weapons does not violate U.S. or international law.

By March 24, at least seven State Department bureaus had sent in their contributions to an initial “options memo” to Blinken. Parts of the memo, which has not been previously reported, were classified.

The submissions to the memo provide the most extensive picture to date of the divisions inside the State Department over whether Israel might be violating international humanitarian law in Gaza.

“Some components in the department favored accepting Israel’s assurances, some favored rejecting them and some took no position,” a U.S. official said.

  • TexMexBazooka
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    2 months ago

    Yes that’s a very good idea and will definitely help the situation

    • hedge@beehaw.org
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      2 months ago

      I can get away with it because I’m fortunate enough to live in a very blue state; if Biden can’t win my home state, then he’s got bigger problems than the hedgemeister not voting for him. I’m all ears if you have a better suggestion.

      • TexMexBazooka
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        2 months ago

        Blegh, I don’t have a better suggestion because we only have bad options. I share your reservations about voting for Joe, but unfortunately I am not in a blue state 😞