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US President Joe Biden (81) will appear in federal court in California on Friday. It will be the first hearing in a trial accusing the Biden administration of failing to meet its international responsibility to prevent genocide. According to media reports, lawyers will represent Biden.
The lawsuit was filed in November 2023 by the Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq, two other Palestinian groups and individual Palestinians affected by the war.
The indictment accuses three people: Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (61) and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (70). According to prosecutors, they “not only failed to fulfill the country’s obligation to prevent genocide, but also created the conditions for its development.”
The plaintiffs cite the 1948 Genocide Convention, which was ratified by the US. It states: “Genocide, whether committed in time of peace or in time of war, is a crime under international law which States Parties undertake to prevent and punish.” Accordingly, ‘complicity in genocide’ is also punishable.
The lawsuit accuses the government of violating the convention: “The United States is obliged, since learning of the specter of genocide against the Palestinian people, to exercise its clear and significant influence over Israel to prevent that the spread of this serious crime is hindered.”
The lawsuit goes on to say that the US government was aware of Israel’s “genocidal objectives.” The basis for this are statements from various Israeli ministers. For example, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, 65, said his country was fighting “human animals” when he ordered electricity and water supplies to the Gaza Strip cut off.
The Israeli offensive, which has killed more than 26,000 people so far, has been repeatedly criticized by human rights groups and experts. United Nations observers have even warned of genocide. Yet the Biden administration bypassed Congress to authorize arms sales to Israel. Biden also repeatedly promised Israel “unconditional” support. He called for a temporary ceasefire from Israel, but no ceasefire.
Shawan Jabarin, the general manager of Al-Haq, says the war in Gaza would not have been possible without US support. “The US is not indirectly complicit. No, immediately. “They are helping to commit genocide in Gaza,” Jabarin told Al-Jazeera.
The Biden administration has moved to dismiss the lawsuit. A December letter argued that the court was being asked to “invade areas under the political branches of government and violate the constitutional separation of powers.” Since foreign policy actions are decided by the executive branch and not by the courts, the lawsuit must be dismissed as “unwarranted.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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