Democracy Now! speaks with an active-duty soldier in the U.S. Air Force on hunger strike to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Senior Airman Larry Hebert is on day three of his hunger strike outside the White House, where he has been holding a sign that reads “Active Duty Airman Refuses to Eat While Gaza Starves.” “It’s just completely wrong and immoral for civilians to be starved and bombed and targeted in any manner,” says Hebert. “I’m hoping that other active-duty members will be more public with their concern over the atrocities happening in Gaza.” Hebert was inspired by the actions of Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in February to demand a Gaza ceasefire. “What really infuriated me was the silence thereafter. … I don’t know a single member of our government or leaders in the military that really spoke on Aaron, even uttered his name,” says Hebert, who is now looking to leave the military after learning more about U.S. foreign policy. “I can’t see myself continuing service.”
    • livus@kbin.social
      17·
      8 months ago

      I think it’s more that they don’t want their own country to aid in a genocide. Even if the genocide could still happen without you, that’s no reason to give up and support it.

      That said,

      • As a political ally the US protects Israel from being attacked by its neighbours

      • it would also block any intervention by the UN

      • Since Oct 7 the US has done over 200 arms deals with Israel and has provided at least 1,800 of the numerous 2,000 pound bombs they are hitting Gaza with (for reference the US only dropped one 2,000 pound bomb on Islamic State in its entire conflict with it)

      • The US has also shared military intelligence/surveillance data with Israel, which is using AI to target Palestinians

    • NoneOfUrBusiness@kbin.social
      8·
      8 months ago

      Tell that to the numerous UN resolutions the US vetoed and the three aircraft carriers it and the UK just have casually stationed there.

    • merthyr1831@lemmy.world
      5·
      8 months ago

      Israel is 100% a client state of the US lmao. A rogue client state perhaps but one that the US still has more than enough power to reign in if it wanted to.