Stop US Arms Sales to Israel
Although the invasion of Gaza is currently halted, the damage that has been done to the civilian population is extensive. The US remains Israel's most valuable military supplier. Join us in telling President Obama to stop the supply of weapons to Israel, and help us prevent the use of US arms against civilians.
President Obama:
For three long weeks, the world watched as Israeli air-strikes and ground offensives in Gaza Killed more than 1,300 Palestinians , including 460 children. A total of 5,300 people were wounded and 20,000 people have been left homeless. It is no exaggeration to say that all 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip have been grievously harmed by this war.
This destruction was bankrolled by US weapons sales to Israel and with US tax dollars. Furthermore, the US has lent political and diplomatic cover to Israel in high-level international discussions, shielding Israel from criticism and censure at the UN and in other major bodies. The price of this relationship has again been paid for with Palestinian lives.
In a densely-populated area of 1.5 million people, the devastating impact of Israel’s assault on civilians in Gaza has drawn the condemnation of many, including peace activists in Israel. Even as Israeli government representatives argued that their advanced military technology would minimize civilian casualties, incidents such as attacks on UN shelters undermined such claims.
The US remains Israel’s most valuable military supplier and diplomatic partner. During the eight years of the Bush Administration, Israel received over $21 billion in US military assistance. This makes Israel the largest recipient of US military aid, used to purchase such arms as fighter jets, helicopter gunships, bombs and missiles. Furthermore, Israel is a major customer when it comes to arms sales. In 2008 alone, the US offered more than $22 billion in new arms sales to Israel, building up a stockpile that was ready on hand for the war on Gaza.
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) places limitations on US military aid and requires that countries purchasing or receiving US arms not use them against civilians, confine their usage to matters of “internal security” and “legitimate self-defense,” and refrain from usage that escalates conflict.
In the past three weeks, civilians have indeed felt the impact of US-made weapons. Moreover, disturbing evidence has emerged of Israel’s use of white phosphorus, an illegal chemical weapon known to cause severe burns. On January 12, the online edition of the London Times reported that the artillery shells used to fire white phosphorus were made in the US. In light of such reports, the US must halt all weapons transfers and sales to Israel, under existing US law.
President Obama, you will enter the White House with many urgent priorities to address, and many will be waiting for your response to the violence in Gaza. You must make an immediate impact by enforcing the AECA and preventing the use of US arms against civilians.
For three long weeks, the world watched as Israeli air-strikes and ground offensives in Gaza Killed more than 1,300 Palestinians , including 460 children. A total of 5,300 people were wounded and 20,000 people have been left homeless. It is no exaggeration to say that all 1.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip have been grievously harmed by this war.
This destruction was bankrolled by US weapons sales to Israel and with US tax dollars. Furthermore, the US has lent political and diplomatic cover to Israel in high-level international discussions, shielding Israel from criticism and censure at the UN and in other major bodies. The price of this relationship has again been paid for with Palestinian lives.
In a densely-populated area of 1.5 million people, the devastating impact of Israel’s assault on civilians in Gaza has drawn the condemnation of many, including peace activists in Israel. Even as Israeli government representatives argued that their advanced military technology would minimize civilian casualties, incidents such as attacks on UN shelters undermined such claims.
The US remains Israel’s most valuable military supplier and diplomatic partner. During the eight years of the Bush Administration, Israel received over $21 billion in US military assistance. This makes Israel the largest recipient of US military aid, used to purchase such arms as fighter jets, helicopter gunships, bombs and missiles. Furthermore, Israel is a major customer when it comes to arms sales. In 2008 alone, the US offered more than $22 billion in new arms sales to Israel, building up a stockpile that was ready on hand for the war on Gaza.
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) places limitations on US military aid and requires that countries purchasing or receiving US arms not use them against civilians, confine their usage to matters of “internal security” and “legitimate self-defense,” and refrain from usage that escalates conflict.
In the past three weeks, civilians have indeed felt the impact of US-made weapons. Moreover, disturbing evidence has emerged of Israel’s use of white phosphorus, an illegal chemical weapon known to cause severe burns. On January 12, the online edition of the London Times reported that the artillery shells used to fire white phosphorus were made in the US. In light of such reports, the US must halt all weapons transfers and sales to Israel, under existing US law.
President Obama, you will enter the White House with many urgent priorities to address, and many will be waiting for your response to the violence in Gaza. You must make an immediate impact by enforcing the AECA and preventing the use of US arms against civilians.
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