Ms. Harris’s dilemma
The situation Vice President Kamala Harris finds herself in is precarious. As she rallies Democrats, she is simultaneously facing criticism from protesters demanding an end to U.S. support for Israel's military actions in Gaza. These activists are calling for an arms embargo, a step her foreign policy advisor, Phil Gordon, has ruled out. However, outright refusal risks alienating progressives in key states and sparking tensions at the upcoming Democratic convention.
There is a viable path for Ms. Harris that goes beyond simply advocating for a ceasefire and acknowledging the tragic loss of civilian lives in Gaza. Without endorsing an arms embargo, she could make a significant statement by pledging to enforce U.S. law, specifically the Leahy Law. This legislation prohibits U.S. assistance to any foreign security force unit that commits gross human rights violations, unless the foreign government takes adequate punitive action.
Despite its existence, this law has never been applied to Israel, even though numerous Israeli security force units have committed appalling abuses. A former State Department official, Charles Blaha, who oversaw the enforcement of the Leahy Law from 2016 to 2023, highlighted that while most countries faced scrutiny, Israel received special treatment, with decisions ultimately resting with top political appointees rather than career officials.
The failure to apply the Leahy Law to Israel undermines both U.S. law and the Biden administration's commitment to a "rules-based order." Ignoring the recommendations of State Department experts and global human rights groups to continue supporting units of the Israeli military, despite allegations of grave human rights violations, is not only absurd but also lawless.
If Kamala Harris truly stands against lawlessness, as she claims, she should advocate for the consistent enforcement of the Leahy Law, without exception. Such a stance would not only uphold the principles of U.S. law but also send a powerful message that human rights are universally important.
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