Palestinian families sue US government over aid to Israel

(CLO) Five Palestinian families officially filed a lawsuit against the US State Department on December 17, demanding that the US government comply with federal law to restrict military aid to Israel over alleged human rights violations.

The lawsuit seeks enforcement of the Leahy Act, a provision that prohibits providing security assistance to entities that are accused of serious human rights violations. According to the families and human rights organizations, Israel has been given an illegal exemption from this provision.

Crowd of protesters carrying Palestinian flags. Photo: Internet

Since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023, the US has passed bills providing more than $12.5 billion in direct military aid to Israel.

According to Hamas statistics and confirmed by the United Nations as reliable, at least 45,059 people in Gaza have been killed, most of them civilians.

“Israel operates under a completely different set of rules,” said Charles Blaha, a former US State Department official. “The US has created a complex process just for Israel.”

Amnesty International recently accused Israel of “committing genocide” in Gaza. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of crimes against humanity. Israel, however, denies the charges and has appealed to the ICC.

This is not the first time the Leahy Act has been invoked in international disputes over US military aid. If successful, the lawsuit could put significant pressure on the US government to reconsider how it allocates military aid.

Cao Phong (according to CNA, newsweek)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cac-gia-dinh-palestine-kien-chinh-quyen-my-vi-vien-tro-quan-su-cho-israel-va-vi-pham-nhan-quyen-post326157.html