Biden will not conclude that Israel violated US arms deal

(WASHINGTON) A Biden administration report soon to be released to Congress does not conclude that Israel violated the terms of US weapons use.

This is according to three people who were briefed on the national security memo to be presented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lawmakers. All three requested anonymity to discuss the matter before the report was released.

The report is expected to be sharply critical of Israel, although it does not conclude that Israel violated the terms of the U.S.-Israel arms agreements, according to a U.S. official.

A presidential directive ordered the review of whether Israel complied with international law in the use of US-supplied weapons and other security support during the course of the war.

The Biden administration’s first assessment of its close ally’s handling of the war comes after seven months of airstrikes, ground fighting and aid restrictions that have claimed the lives of nearly 35,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Any move against Israel could jeopardize Biden’s support in this year’s presidential election from some voters who strongly support Israel.

A senior Biden administration official said the memo was expected to be released on Friday but declined to comment on the findings.

Human rights groups have long accused Israeli security forces of committing abuses against Palestinians and accused Israeli leaders of failing to hold those responsible accountable.

Israel says it is following all US and international laws, that it is investigating allegations of abuses by its security forces and that its campaign in Gaza is proportionate to the existential threat it says is posed by Hamas.

As the suffering of Palestinian civilians grew, Biden and his administration moved away from their initial, unwavering public support for Israel and began criticizing its handling of the war.

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The Associated Press writes that Aamer Madhani, Ellen Knickmeyer, Mike Balsamo and Zeke Miller contributed to this report.