• U.S. President Biden’s shift in stance on Israel’s military plans in Rafah reflects a departure from historical support, drawing attention to the urgent need for protecting over 1.4 million civilians amid escalating tensions.
• U.S. scrutiny grows for supporting Israel with aid and arms, fuelling accusations of contributing to a genocide in Gaza and casting doubt on its sincerity in expressing concern for civilian safety.
President Joe Biden engaged directly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to reconsider a planned ground invasion in Rafah without a comprehensive safety plan for the over 1.4 million civilian residents in the region.
This marked a significant departure from President Biden’s typically unwavering support for Israel, as he openly criticized the Israeli response to a recent Hamas attack as being “over the top.” The Biden administration, alongside aid agencies and global leaders, voiced growing concerns over the planned military offensive in southern Gaza. The population in Rafah has soared from 280,000 to over 1.4 million due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment, intensifying the urgency for a careful and well-thought-out approach.
Jan Egeland, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, described the situation in Rafah as “the world’s biggest displacement camp” and emphasizing the catastrophic consequences. “There are people on their flimsy plastic sheeting. They are fighting for food. There is no drinking water. There is epidemic disease, and then they [the IDF] want to bring a war to this place. You can’t make it up really,” he said.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby issued a stern warning, emphasizing the U.S.’ belief that Israel has a “special obligation as they conduct operations there or anywhere else to make sure that they’re factoring in protection for innocent civilian life.” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield echoed this sentiment, stating categorically that a military operation in Rafah “cannot proceed” without proper conditions and safeguards in place. Also, speaking in Tel Aviv, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the importance of prioritizing civilians in any military operation, stating, “Any military operation that Israel undertakes needs to put civilians first and foremost… and that’s especially true in the case of Rafah.”
Adding to the international chorus of concern, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned of a potential “humanitarian catastrophe in the making,” underscoring the dire conditions faced by the displaced residents in Rafah. She also shared on X (formerly Twitter) that “The people in Gaza cannot disappear into thin air.”
However, the U.S. stance raises pertinent questions about the extreme hypocrisy, given its historical and ongoing support for Israel. The U.S. has been a key ally, providing billions in aid, arms, and even support in the ICJ, raising accusations that this support has contributed to what many rightfully label as a “genocide” in Gaza.
One significant point of contention arose in the United Nations, where the U.S. stood as the lone nation to block a ceasefire vote, drawing widespread condemnation. This move, combined with continuous military aid, has fueled accusations that the U.S. is complicit in the genocide and the perpetuation of violence and suffering in the region.
President Biden’s recent criticism of Israel, while representing a shift in stance, has left many feeling completely unsatisfied, as it falls short of addressing the broader issues at play and the U.S.’s role in allowing the ongoing murder of thousands of innocent lives.
As the international community calls for a resolution that prioritizes the protection of civilian life, the spotlight remains on the U.S. and its inconsistency in advocating for human rights and peace while maintaining a strong alliance with Israel. The question remains: Can the U.S. genuinely champion the cause of civilian safety in Gaza while also being a significant enabler of the very conflict causing immense death and destruction to the thousands of innocent civilian lives?
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive [it] not.”
2:11-2:12
