Biden’s Policy of Appeasement Fuels Growing Potential for a Regional War in the Middle East [WASHINGTON D.C., October 1, 2024] – Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action) strongly condemns President Biden’s policy of appeasement toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a strategy that has emboldened Israeli aggression and further destabilized the Middle East. Today’s launch of more than 300 ballistic missiles by Iran into Israel underscores the perilous consequences of the administration’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law and unchecked military actions. The missile strike, one of the largest escalations in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, came as a consequence of Israeli provocations in Iran last July and currently in Lebanon. While most of the missiles were intercepted by the United State’s and Israel’s defense system, the attack highlights a dangerous and rapidly deteriorating situation that risks pulling the United States into a regional war at a time when millions of Americans are recovering from Category 4 hurricane Helene, a hurricane that killed 138 Americans. For the past year, President Biden has provided unwavering military and diplomatic support to Netanyahu’s regime, including the continuous flow of U.S. military aid, which only exacerbates Israel's genocide in Gaza and the West Bank. This policy has emboldened Israel to expand illegal settlements, intensify its apartheid system, deepen its brutal occupation of Palestinian territories, and now, wage its illegal war on Lebanon. Instead of using American leverage to encourage a peaceful resolution, Biden’s administration has shielded Israel from accountability, leading to more bloodshed and instability in the region. In the face of repeated international condemnations of Israel’s policies, Biden has chosen to prioritize strategic military partnerships over human rights, effectively allowing Netanyahu to act with impunity. The ongoing occupation, forced displacement, and systemic violence against Palestinians are violations of international law, including the Apartheid Convention and the Rome Statute. These policies have also alienated the United States from its allies in the region and contributed to the rise of anti-American sentiment, especially among populations affected by Israeli aggression. Today’s missile attacks reflect the deepening hostility in the region, where U.S. diplomacy is increasingly seen as complicit in perpetuating violence. The Biden administration’s unwillingness to hold Israel accountable risks dragging the United States into a broader conflict with catastrophic consequences. AJP Action calls on the Biden Administration to: - Cease military aid to Israel until it complies with international human rights and U.S. laws.
- Leverage diplomatic pressure on Israel to halt its illegal settlement expansions and apartheid policies.
- Impose an immediate end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the West Bank, and its war on Lebanon, prioritizing regional stability.
The United States must stand for justice and human rights, not contribute to violence and Israel’s continued violations of international law. A true peace can only be achieved when all parties are held accountable for their actions, and the United States has a moral responsibility to lead that effort. In solidarity, Americans for Justice in Palestine Action |