Washington, DC – A former diplomat who resigned in protest last year over Israel’s offensive in Gaza and the US’s support for it believes that outgoing Secretary of State Antony Blinken will be haunted by these actions for the rest of his life.
Hala Rharrit, in an interview with Al Jazeera, accused the Biden administration of bypassing US regulations to continue arming Israel despite documented abuses in Gaza.
Rharrit stated, “They are willfully violating and evading US law by circumventing the process to supply arms despite knowing the catastrophic consequences. For me, it’s unforgivable and criminal.”
She highlighted US laws that prohibit weapon transfers to human rights abusers and restrict aid to military units involved in human rights violations.
Despite these laws, the US has continued to supply Israel with billions of dollars in weapons, despite accusations of genocide in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister have faced war crime charges, including using starvation as a method of warfare, issued by the International Criminal Court.
Despite this, Blinken has assured Congress that Israel is not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza, a claim aid groups dispute.
Rharrit believes Blinken’s actions have ensured Israel’s access to US weapons used in Gaza.
She added that Blinken, known for his pro-Israel stance, faced criticism from Palestinian rights activists and journalists for his complicity in Israel’s alleged war crimes.
Despite recent ceasefire agreements, Blinken continues to blame Hamas for thwarting peace talks, a claim Rharrit refutes.
Rharrit, who resigned after feeling “silenced” in voicing concerns about US policy, emphasized the importance of not enforcing inhumane and illegal policies contrary to US national security interests.
