Jenin – Palestinian journalist Osama Nazzal contends that the apparent shift in the United States government’s stance on Israel isn’t due to strained relations between the two governments but rather a tactic to mislead and pacify the increasingly vocal American people.
He suggests that the Biden Administration is apprehensive about losing popular support due to the escalating unrest and mounting solidarity within various segments of American society rallying behind Palestine. This support contrasts sharply with opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestine, its genocidal actions in Gaza, and the substantial financial and military aid it receives from the US.
“We have today voices in the United States, as we see with the Muslim, the Arab, the Palestinian communities and also all the pro-justice categories of the American community, who all support justice for the people of Palestine, support the enforcement of the rights of the Palestinian people and are standing against the Israeli genocidal campaign in Gaza.”
“The American administration of Biden and the Democratic Party are aware that they are going to lose all these votes unless they make a change toward the Palestinian cause. Unfortunately, they are not making the necessary changes. The tangible and the concrete change that can convince their constituents in the United States that they are serious about providing a just solution for the cause of Palestine.”
Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, Well Not Really
Nazzal’s remarks come amid widespread student-led protests across the US. Originating at the University of Columbia, these protests have spread to numerous other universities nationwide, where students are demanding their institutions sever ties with Israel and divest from companies known to be facilitating Gaza’s ongoing suffering.
Despite the generally peaceful, inclusive, and respectful nature of these protests and sit-ins as seen on various social media platforms, they have faced sharp condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who labels them as anti-Semitic and calls for their cessation. Additionally, American law enforcement agencies have responded with force, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of students across the country.
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The US Sanctions Nothing More Than a Publicity Stunt
Earlier this week, reports surfaced indicating that the US government was considering imposing sanctions on various Israeli military units for their alleged human rights violations against Palestinians in the occupied territories. Israeli leadership met this development with dismay and vowed to resist such measures.
According to Nazzal, this move by the US government is merely another empty threat, as their past decisions and actions have demonstrated a lack of genuine concern for the rights and freedoms of Palestinians, mirroring the attitudes of other Western nations.
Simultaneously, alongside the mention of potential sanctions, the US government approved a substantial $26 billion package to Israel. This decision follows their previous veto of the Palestinian bid for recognition as a member state by the United Nations.
“Imposing sanctions on Israeli military units working in the occupied Palestinian territory is nothing more than an American bluff and deception. If they are serious about imposing sanctions, they have to impose the sanctions on the Israeli occupation government, which is representative of all the activities and all the crimes conducted by the Israeli occupation army unit.”
“Regardless of the name or the type of unit, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Council of War and his cabinet are responsible for what the Israeli soldiers are doing in the occupied Palestinian territory. So why don’t they impose sanctions on the Israeli government? Why don’t they call on the Israeli government to dismantle?”
