US seeks Israeli assurances on arms aid: US State Dept. to Al Mayadeen
3 Min Read
A statement by the US State Department spokesperson to Al Mayadeen reveals that the President signed a new policy conditioning partners receiving US-funded defense articles to provide written assurances.
-
President Joe Biden delivers remarks to the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference, on February 12, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
The spokesperson for the US State Department announced that the US President issued NSM-20 on February 8. This document represents a new global policy allegedly aimed at strengthening safeguards and accountability for arms transfers, the spokesperson told Al Mayadeen.
The new policy mandates that all partners receiving US-funded arms, under security assistance and cooperation authorities, must provide written assurances. These assurances include a commitment to using the weapons and equipment in compliance with the law of war, as well as facilitating the delivery of US and US-supported humanitarian aid in war zones.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council told Al Mayadeen that the National Security Memorandum on Safeguards and Accountability regarding military equipment and services sent to others does not stipulate imposing new measures as far as military aid is concerned. Rather, it merely demands guarantees of compliance with existing controls.
He further claimed that the memorandum includes measures that have been applied to “Israel” for a long time and that it also applies to all the countries that the United States supplies with weapons, pursuant to American law.
Earlier, Axios reported that the Biden administration has set a mid-March deadline for "Israel" to sign the commitment letter agreeing to abide by international law when employing US-supplied weapons and munitions in the Gaza Strip.
The requirement for this assurance stems from a memorandum issued earlier this month by President Joe Biden, prompted by Democratic members of the US Senate. Many Democrats have voiced concerns regarding "Israel's" bombardments and aggression on Gaza, which have led to the deaths of almost 30,000 Palestinians and the displacement of others.
Without agreeing to the request for assurances by the set deadline, US weapon transfers to "Israel" will be paused, the report said on Tuesday.
Biden to replenish Israeli anti-air systems
This comes after Biden stated on Tuesday that the United States must replenish "Israel's" air defense and ensure that the country does not suffer "regional threats," especially those from Iran.
Before meeting with congressional leaders, Biden stated that "Israel's" air defenses must be replenished to prevent threats from the Middle East, including Iran and the Palestinian resistance.
This is despite the fact that UN experts warned last week that any act of transferring weapons or ammunition to "Israel" to be used in Gaza is likely in violation of international humanitarian law and must stop immediately.
