The murder of Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli raised the arguments about US assistance for terrorism in America society.
Rights activists in Palestine believe the US has to “look in the mirror” and reconsider its unwavering assistance for Israel. Following Al-Jazeera journalist’s murder, demands to restrict billions in yearly US assistance are mounting.
US State Department has called for an immediate and comprehensive inquiry into the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. The US citizen and Al-Jazeera journalist was killed by Israeli troops in the West Bank a few days ago.
However, campaigners in the United States argue that such assertions overlook the US collusion in Israeli gross human right abuses. “There’s deep, deep hypocrisy and irony to US officials calling for an investigation when what they really need to do is look in the mirror,” an anti-occupation activist in Washington told reporters.
US President has frequently stated that US assistance to Israel would not be conditional or subject to restricted, or reduction. Washington assists Tel Aviv with an annual $3.8-billion package comprising larger sectors from economy to security and social services.
According to an analyst in American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Abu Akleh is not the first American citizen slain by Israeli soldiers. The first was Omar Assad, who died four months ago after imprisonment in the same region.
When visiting relatives in Palestine, Palestinian-Americans may no longer feel safe by their own administration. “We are Americans and we are paying taxes, and that money is literally going not just to abuse our families back home and Palestinians back home, but also us now.”
A Democratic representative presented legislation last year to prevent US assistance to be utilized in subsidizing Israel’s human rights violations. The bill secured 32 co-sponsors, but has not progressed beyond its official presentation in the parliamentary process.
Shireen Abu Akleh Burial
Israeli forces disrupted the burial procession of Shireen Abu Akleh in Jerusalem two days ago. They attacked attendees and members of the crew, nearly forcing the deceased journalist’s casket to fall.
Videos of the incident sparked international outrage. These photographs have left US Secretary of State very disturbed. Antony Blinken stressed on Twitter that “every family deserves to lay their loved ones to rest in a dignified and unimpeded manner.”
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, expressed her great sorrow as well. Thomas-Greenfield, however, has clarified that one of her major responsibilities would be to protect Israel from International scrutiny.
For several decades, Zionist regime has been the United States’ most important Middle East partners. Both main party presidents and MPs have always stated their unwavering allegiance to Tel Aviv. Besides the $3.8 billion in yearly US funding to Israel, Washington pledged extra $1 billion this year to resupply Israel’s Iron Dome defense system after 11-day war with Gaza last year.
In light of the fresh developments, an Arab-American Institute’s executive director stated that America is clearly not a disinterested actor in the Israeli-Palestinian issue. “We are not an objective observer here. We’re fully engaged in supporting the state of Israel as it commits these abuses.”
Progressive campaigners and US legislators have attempted to limit funding to Israel recently. Another option was to make the aids conditional on the termination of Palestinian rights abuses. The thrust is mostly centered on the left flank of the Democrats and has failed to secure achievements.
As a 2020 presidential contender, Biden slammed the concept of conditional aid to Israel as “bizarre.” Senator Bernie Sanders advocated the proposal throughout the Democratic primary in 2020. A public pressure, however, may impact future policies of the White House.
