Gaza Crisis: HRW, Oxfam Advocate for Pause in US Arms Trade with Israel
A collaborative effort by Oxfam and Human Rights Watch saw the submission of a joint memorandum to the US government on Tuesday, March 19, addressing Israel’s alleged infringements of international humanitarian law, particularly concerning the use of US weaponry and the hindrance of US-funded humanitarian aid. The memorandum brought to light instances where Israel’s actions in Gaza contradicted the stipulations of the National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20) arms policy, a framework that mandates foreign security partners to assure the US government of their compliance with international humanitarian law and the non-interference with humanitarian aid.
The NSM-20 policy involves the submission of assurances by foreign security partners to the US Departments of State and Defense, attesting that they do not impede US humanitarian assistance and refrain from violating international humanitarian law. Subsequently, the secretaries of state and defense are tasked with evaluating the credibility of these assurances.
Sarah Yager, Human Rights Watch’s Washington director, expressed skepticism regarding Israel’s assurances to the Biden administration, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts in Gaza. The memorandum compiled by Oxfam and Human Rights Watch detailed various instances of Israel’s purported breaches of international humanitarian law, including denying essential services crucial for civilian survival and obstructing humanitarian aid, especially following the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 that resulted in significant casualties.
Among the documented violations were the reported use of US-supplied white phosphorus during military operations in Lebanon and Gaza, indiscriminate or disproportionate strikes on hospitals and ambulances, and systematic impediments to aid reaching vulnerable populations in northern Gaza. The submission by Oxfam and Human Rights Watch underscored the urgent need for humanitarian access in Gaza, particularly as the region faced the looming threat of famine.
The memorandum coincided with prior warnings from UN experts regarding the potential violation of international humanitarian law through arms transfers to Israel. Notably, several countries and entities suspended arms transfers to Israel following such concerns. Israel, despite being a significant arms exporter, also relies on imports, with the majority of its weapons historically originating from the US, followed by Germany and Italy.
In response to the submission, the US government is slated to review Israel’s assurances by March 24. Oxfam and Human Rights Watch emphasized the importance of considering future expected violations in evaluating Israel’s compliance with international law. They advocated for a temporary suspension of arms transfers to Israel to prevent the facilitation of further violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws. Additionally, other international organizations and governmental bodies, such as Canada’s House of Commons, have similarly called for halting arms exports to Israel as a symbolic gesture.
