Trump allowed Israel to use American weapons in violation of humanitarian law: The Washington Post
The Trump administration has repealed a Biden-era regulation that prohibited allies from using US-made weapons in violation of international humanitarian law. This could damage the United States' reputation around the world, writes The Washington Post.
The Trump administration has repealed a Biden-era regulation that prohibited allies from using US-made weapons in violation of international humanitarian law. This could damage the United States' reputation around the world, writes The Washington Post.
The publication obtained an order signed by US National Security Advisor Mike Walz on February 21, revoking the National Security Memorandum (NSM-20). Several current and former US officials also confirmed the decision, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The agreement signed by Biden last year requires all countries that receive weapons from the United States to sign a written commitment that they will not use them to attack civilians or restrict humanitarian assistance. Such conditions already existed, but the concept of a written commitment was new, as was the memorandum’s directive that the State Department report to Congress on the matter .
Biden agreed to sign the memorandum under pressure from progressive Democrats who sought to limit US military aid to Israel, arguing that the aid was being used to harm civilians in the Gaza Strip.
A State Department report released months after the memo did not conclude that Israel was actually abusing American security assistance. This angered progressive lawmakers who were behind NSM-20 .
Senator Chris Van Golen, who introduced the memorandum bill, said that while NSM-20 may not have been implemented as its proponents had assumed, it pressured Israel to allow additional aid to be provided at key points in the Gaza war .
The Washington Post recalled that the cancellation of NSM-20 is not the first step by the Trump administration aimed at imposing restrictions on policies aimed at protecting human rights .
During his first term, Trump established a conventional arms transfer policy that prioritized economic considerations over civilian interests .
A few days after returning to office in January, the Pentagon began the process of dismantling the department created under the Biden administration to help civilians during combat operations.
