Issue: Diplomacy & International Law

Statement on Major Israeli Escalation in Lebanon

Center for International Policy (CIP) executive vice president Matt Duss issued the following statement regarding Israel’s recent escalation in Lebanon, including the current ground offensive:

“The Israeli government’s decision to dramatically escalate its attacks in Lebanon is a dangerous gamble that risks the lives of countless Lebanese, Israeli, Palestinian and other civilians across the region.

“Israel has the right to defend itself from Hezbollah and other threats, but we note that this escalation comes after months of Prime Minister Netanyahu rejecting U.S. efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. As we know from the very recent past, the potential for protracted, deadly escalation is significant. Israel has been caught in a costly quagmire in Lebanon before – one that ultimately did not defeat Hezbollah or provide lasting security on its northern border. An Israeli military assault on Lebanon that employs the same methods or maximalist objectives as the nearly year-old war in Gaza threatens to cause even more devastation and death, with civilians bearing the brunt of the carnage.

“The Biden Administration is right to seek deescalation, but must realize that months of failure to impose meaningful consequences on Netanyahu for grave international humanitarian law violations and obstructing a ceasefire in Gaza has contributed to the disregard for U.S. and international concerns with which Israel has now acted in Lebanon. The ability of the United States to prevent an all-out war that could draw in the U.S. and Iran and imperil millions in the region, including American personnel, rests on whether President Biden is finally willing to take the steps necessary – including suspending offensive weapons deliveries – to prevent a horrific conflagration.”

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UNGA reflections: US-Israeli relations and UN reform

On September 26, CIP President & CEO Nancy Okail joined a TRT World panel on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York to discuss the Middle East crisis and the broader issue of structural challenges at the United Nations.

Discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict and the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, Okail said:

“[President Biden] has been just giving the bear hug to Netanyahu since day one. And he has not moved an inch.”

She urged President Biden to stop applying a double standard to Israel when it comes to enforcing the law:

“The crimes that are being committed in Gaza are so clearly committed and recorded by credible organizations. Yet we have not been able to see like a real movement towards conditioning aid or suspending arms even in order to have a fair and credible assessment of the situation. So why would Netanyahu stop right now, because there are no consequences in the war?”

Okail and the panelists also highlighted frustrations with UNGA regarding the power wielded by the five permanent members with veto rights, even when the rest of the world reaches a unanimous decision.

“They need structural changes,” stressed Okail, noting that “if there’s no will, they will be forced to do it. Because either it’s going to become more and more irrelevant and just a a nice building out there that people just gather in, or they will need to respond to all the calls for the reform.”

Asked if the UN should be replaced, Okail concluded, “It’s not about replacing one organization with another one. It’s more about having an equitable structure.” She cited access and accountability as two major obstacles, pointing to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East:

“Its funding has been suspended, their members have been killed and there are no consequences. […] We’re talking about people’s access to medicine, to food, to safety. It’s just very difficult to see that this is happening yet they can’t do anything about it. Where is the accountability?”

Watch the full discussion on TRT World here.

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Fears of all-out Mideast war grow as world leaders gather for U.N. General Assembly

NPR’s Leila Fadel talks with Matt Duss, the executive vice president at the Center for International Policy, about Israel’s strategy in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Find the full interview here.

LEILA FADEL: The fears of all-out war in the Middle East grow as world leaders gather for the United Nations General Assembly.

ANTONIO GUTERRES: Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel and the people of the world, cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza

LEILA FADEL: UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres spoke to the opening session about the same time that health officials in Lebanon announced more than 550 were killed and 1000s more were wounded in a single 24 hour period, the deadliest day in Lebanon in decades. Thousands of civilians are fleeing Israeli airstrikes searching for safety. What will it take to de escalate to talk about this? Matt Duss is with me in studio this morning. He is the Executive Vice President at the Center for International Policy. It’s a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that’s been critical of Israel’s war in Gaza, and the response from the US. Matt, thanks for being here.

MATT DUSS: Very glad to be here, thank you.

LEILA FADEL: So 150 women and children among those killed in the strikes this, of course, after Israel was blamed for turning pagers and handheld radios that Hezbollah uses into little bombs that exploded in civilian areas. Why the dramatic escalation now?

MATT DUSS: Well, I think we should go back and to, you know, the, you know, the attacks of October 7 and the days immediately after, which is when Hezbollah, you know, started launching quite a few rockets into northern Israel, which has caused some 60,000 Israelis to have to flee their homes in northern Israel, in those communities which they’ve not been able to return. That rocket fire has continued as it has increased at certain times.

LEILA FADEL: And that’s for almost a year now.

MATT DUSS: For almost a year now, as this war has gone on, it’s hard to believe we’re almost a year into this, this catastrophic war. But, you know, there have been– A few weeks ago, there was a strike on a playground which killed a number of children in northern Israel–

LEILA FADEL: 12 kids.

MATT DUSS: –to which is Israel responded. But I think what we’re seeing now is, you know, an increase in the Israeli strikes, on, on, on, Lebanon against Hezbollah, because they believe they’ve kind of managed the situation in Gaza — and I hesitate to use that term manage. But I do also think it’s we have to understand that part of what’s driving this is Netanyahu’s belief that his only chance for political survival is to prolong and expand this war. He understands that as soon as this war comes to an end, he is going to face accountability for the failures of October 7, and that is something he would very, very much like to avoid.

LEILA FADEL: Now you point out, tens of thousands of Israelis have been evacuated from their homes. They want to go home, and the Israeli government says this is the way to make it safe. This escalation. Is this the way to do that?

MATT DUSS: It does not seem like it. Just hours ago, we saw a strike on Tel Aviv, which is the farthest south, I believe, that Hezbollah has launched in this in this engagement. Everyone understands that Hezbollah has tens of thousands of rockets and missiles and weapons that they could use if this war were to seriously escalate. But I think the approach that we see from the Israeli military here is, you know, and I hate using this term, but they call it ‘mowing the lawn.’ Where you will have a conflict, a brief conflict, which will buy some buy some time and some space. But this is far worse than we’ve seen, just as the Gaza war is far worse than previous wars. But again, there is really no longer-term strategy here, other than to strike hard at the enemy to kind of do some damage to their capabilities, to their to their weapons stores, and hope that you can buy some normalcy. But again, we see cycle after cycle, time after time, returning to this conflict. It is really intolerable for everyone.

LEILA FADEL: Yeah, that strike toward Tel Aviv was intercepted. So what should Israel do to make it stop.

MATT DUSS: Well, I think this all comes back to Gaza. I mean, Hezbollah has made clear that the rocket fire will stop when the Gaza war stops. There have been, of course, an effort by the Biden administration, starting four months ago, to get a permanent ceasefire. That is US policy as of the end of May was to bring this war to an end, at least that’s Biden’s stated policy. Unfortunately, he’s not been able to get that agreement, and one of the reasons why, as I said, Netanyahu has no interest in ending this war. He has made this clear. It’s been reported. We’ve seen numerous comments by Israeli officials, Israeli security officials, that Netanyahu is the one who continues to undermine these ceasefire negotiations. But unfortunately, President Biden still refuses to apply real pressure and use real leverage in the form of arms sales to really push Netanyahu to to agree to that ceasefire. The United States is the only country in the world that can impose those costs, and unfortunately, President Biden is still unwilling to do that.

LEILA FADEL: Matt Duss is from the Center for International Policy. Thank you, Matt.

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US Must Act Urgently to Deescalate the Growing Middle East Conflict

Following the escalation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel over the weekend, marked by increasing fatalities and suggesting a further expansion of the war, Center for International Policy executive vice president Matt Duss issued the following statement:

“The Biden Administration was warned for months that failure to ensure Israel abides by its international law obligations, as well US law, in the Gaza war and linked conflicts could lead to dangerous escalation throughout the region. In the absence of any meaningful US response to its repeated violations of US red lines, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has continued to kill large numbers of civilians in Gaza, obstructed ceasefire efforts, and engaged in provocative strikes around the region.

“While Israel has the right and duty to defend itself from forces like Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran – all of which have engaged in outrageous and illegal terrorism against Israel and its citizens – Israel’s actions to counter such threats must adhere to the same international humanitarian law obligations binding all combatants. 

“In the wake of Israel’s sabotage attack via hundreds of exploding electronic devices that killed civilians, including children, in addition to Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel are now engaged in an exchange of missile and bombing attacks that could easily spiral into an all-out war between them. The prospects for a broad ceasefire in Gaza and elsewhere are near rock bottom, while the potential for a regional conflict that imperils millions of civilians as well as US personnel in the Middle East is rising sharply.

“As President Biden and his foreign policy team head to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, they should prioritize working with attending world leaders to halt this escalation and prevent a catastrophic conflagration. Arresting this precipitous slide into an avoidable war will require the Biden administration to engage, directly or indirectly, with adversaries who can help constrain Hamas and Hezbollah. It will also require the administration to finally take necessary steps to rein in the Netanyahu government as it seeks to cling to power by deepening and prolonging conflicts that undermine the security of all in the region, as well as the United States.”

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The US Must Do More To Ensure Justice and Accountability for Ayşenur Eygi

On September 6, American Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi was killed after Israeli troops fired on a demonstration in the Nablus region of the West Bank. The shooting death of the 26-year old U.S. citizen has prompted growing calls for the Biden Administration to conduct its own independent investigation, as Eygi’s family has urged. 

Common Dreams’ Jake Johnson reports: 

Dylan Williams, vice president for government affairs at the Center for International Policy, said Monday that “the Biden Administration should be launching its own investigation into the killing of an American citizen.” “Instead,” he added, “it’s deflecting and deferring to Israel to hold its own soldiers and settlers accountable, which Israel has repeatedly failed to do.”

In a separate post on X, Williams added that the Biden Administration must act in accordance with U.S. laws and policies, calling on U.S. officials to  suspend security assistance to the units involved, conduct an investigation per the Civilian Harm Incident Response Guidance (CHIRG) and launch an FBI probe.

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UNBURDENED: How Harris could forge a post-neoliberal U.S. foreign policy

As Vice President Kamala Harris proceeds into the election and looks to carve out a path distinct from incumbent President Joe Biden, foreign policy is an area where she can make the most stark contrast with not just her opponent, but her predecessor. Anand Giridharadas interviewed CIP’s Matt Duss about what to do differently.

Their conversation is far reaching, from Gaza and arms shipments to international law and industrial policy. One major call from Duss is for a break with neoliberal economic visions of the past, ones that supported bad governments abroad in order to provide American capital access to cheap workers in those countries.

GIRIDHARADAS: What is the right message for Harris then? How do you talk about [this post-neoliberal economic approach] in terms that are not distorted by this — as you just put it — new hotness of great power competition.

DUSS: I think focusing on: This is what is going to be good for American workers. It’s going to be good for workers around the world. We are not pitting American workers against workers in China or anywhere else in this zero-sum competition. What we are doing is going to be good.

Again, the United States government’s first responsibility, first and foremost, is to the people of the United States. But making a pitch not only here but globally to say, Listen, we want to raise worker standards. We want to raise labor standards. We want to protect labor’s right to organize. That’s a very powerful message. And I also think looking at the speech that JD Vance gave at the RNC — in some ways, that was a mirror image or a darker version of the speech Jake Sullivan gave at Brookings because it was billed as a foreign policy speech.

And yet it was all about trade. It was all about how the elites have failed working people. That is a very powerful message. And people can call him weird all they want, but I’m saying that was a map to what they are trying to do.

Duss offers concrete policy recommendations for Harris, including:

Use leverage. “Enforce that law as a way of putting genuine pressure on the Israeli government, Netanyahu in particular, to accept a ceasefire”

Talk to Iran. “Getting to some regional agreement, a smaller nuclear deal that would at least have the U.S. and Iran talking and building some measure of familiarity and trust so that we better understand each other’s aims”

Reposition the United States in support of international law.

Ditch the “great power competition” frame. “I think defining our entire approach to the world through the lens of strategic competition is ultimately going to lead us down a very bad path that eventually leads one place, and that’s to conflict. It is not going to lead to more security and prosperity. It leads to more conflict. It’s just spending more on the military and spending less here on our people at home.”

Labor protections at home and abroad. “Minimum wage legislation. Minimum corporate tax legislation nationally and globally. The global corporate minimum tax is a huge one that her administration should really lean into. Global minimum corporate tax and a global minimum wage raising America’s minimum wage substantially. Leaning into the social safety net.”

Compassionate migration policy. “We’re not going to scare people away from the border given what they’ve already risked to get here. You need to address the reasons that they are choosing to flee.”

Rethink sanctions, “which don’t actually produce policy change. They just produce more refugees, more migrants. They produce more corruption on the parts of elites inside these countries.”

Read the full piece, which covers everything from Gaza to climate change to Iran, at The.Ink.

The Killing of a Hamas Leader Is Part of a Larger War

The assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, presumably by Israel, is the latest deliberate provocation in a series of deliberate provocations to keep the conflict going. Yet every provocation risks wider regional conflagration, and so long as US policy continues to shield Israel from the consequences of its actions, instead of pushing it to the negotiating table, the situation becomes more precarious.

Most crucially, the United States has plenty of existing leverage over the actions of Israel that the Biden administration could pursue, most immediately by adhering to, instead of sidestepping, US legal limits on arms sales to the country.

There’s another way, Matt Duss and Nancy Okail write for The New York Times:

At the time of this writing, a ground war in Lebanon and devastating, sustained missile barrages may still be staved off, but to do so will require deft, immediate diplomacy and actionable changes on the pipeline of arms to Israel. That will necessitate more action than we have seen in the last 10 months, leading us to worry that the conflagration may occur as much as the Americans would like to wish it away.

The time is late, but it is essential now for President Biden to finally apply real pressure to stop this war, by halting the supply of offensive arms, facilitating the return of hostages to Israel and enabling the provision of desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. The United States must state loudly and clearly that the country will no longer support this war. And then show that it means it.

Read the full piece.

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Harris Candidacy Gives Democrats a Chance to Pivot on Gaza

When President Joe Biden announced he was dropping his bid for reelection and endorsing his Vice President, Kamala Harris, to succeed him to the Presidency, he created the space for Harris to set out a new policy on Gaza. In Foreign Policy, CIP executive vice president Matt Duss writes that Harris can plot a new path, distinct from Biden’s nearly unconditional support for Israel’s indiscriminate destruction of Gaza.

Writes Duss:

While no one expects Harris to dramatically distance herself from Biden, there are steps that she can take to show that she speaks for the Democratic Party of today and not 40 years ago. She can announce that as president, she will immediately suspend the U.S.-supplied military aid being used in violation of U.S. law. She can publicly make clear that she agrees with the assessment of countless Israelis—including Israeli opposition lawmakers and top sitting security officials—that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stalling hostage release and cease-fire efforts in order to cling to power. She can reject the baseless and inflammatory claims that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the largest and most important relief agency in Gaza, is a “Hamas front,” and state that she’ll work to see UNRWA funding resumed as soon as legally possible. In doing so, she would join U.S. partners—such as Britain, France, and Germany—that have already resumed their contributions.

Read the full piece here.

 

ICJ Determination of Violations in Israeli Occupation of Palestinian Territories a Welcome Step

The Center for International Policy welcomed today’s advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) determining that Israel’s conduct in and policies toward the Occupied Palestinian Territories and its Palestinian residents constitute multiple serious violations of international law. In response, CIP president and CEO Nancy Okail issued the following statement:

“The Court’s advisory opinion affirms what virtually the entire world has recognized for decades – that Israel’s 57 year occupation of the Palestinian Territories has long served as a project to illegally dispossess the Palestinian people and annex their land.

International law allows for occupation as a temporary measure in a time of active conflict. It does not allow for occupation as a cover for relentless land theft, apartheid and other grave violations of the national and human rights of an entire people. The Israeli Knesset’s unequivocal rejection this week of any Palestinian state west of the Jordan River only provides additional conclusive evidence supporting the Court’s opinion.

While the ICJ’s action is non-binding, countries that seek to uphold international law should respect the Court’s determination and take all appropriate steps to counter the injustices of the occupation and bring it to a peaceful end. At a minimum, countries should not engage in actions which help to perpetuate the occupation and its discriminatory, annexationist goals. In particular, the United States must end the unconditional supply of arms that Israel uses in connection with the dispossession and settlement of Palestinian land and other violations of Palestinian rights.

We also reiterate the importance of rejecting all attempts to delegitimize, intimidate or penalize the ICJ or its officers in light of this or any of its other proceedings. The security and rights of people around the globe hang in the balance as the institutions tasked with upholding international law are being attacked by right-wing nationalist and autocratic figures worldwide. Disagreements with the Court’s actions may be expressed appropriately and challenged through the established processes, but attempting to undermine or criminalize the multilateral legal bodies that are a core part of the rules-based international system threatens essential US and global security interests.”

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The US and EU can build a more democratic world with sports diplomacy

Raül Romeva i Rueda is currently Professor of Global Politics and Sport Diplomacy, as well as the President of the Irla Foundation, a catalan think tank which promotes studies on politics, democracy, fundamental rights and civic republicanism. He is also a former Member of the European Parliament and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Institutional Relations, and Transparency in the Catalan Government.

In the span of my career, from the corridors of the European Parliament and the meeting rooms of the Catalan Government, to the classes of Sports Development and Diplomacy at the University, I have witnessed the ebb and flow of international relations. Today, as we navigate a world fraught with rising populism, the resurgence of the extreme right, and the looming shadow of the climate emergency, the need for a robust partnership between the United States and the European Union has never been more urgent. This transatlantic alliance, founded on shared democratic values, holds the promise not only of addressing immediate threats but also of paving the way towards a more just, inclusive, and sustainable global order.

The Rise of Populism and Extremism 

In the heart of Europe and across the Atlantic, the specter of populism and extreme right-wing ideologies threatens the very fabric of our societies. Twenty years ago we already perceived these movements, often born from disenfranchisement and fear, capitalize on division and discord. Unfortunately, we didn’t care much about them. Too many people thought they were anecdotal. Obviously this perception was wrong.

Nowadays, we have to confront that reality. The transatlantic bond must be a bulwark against this tide, through coordinated policies and shared intelligence that preemptively address the roots of extremism.

Joint public diplomacy initiatives can counter misinformation and promote democratic values. By fostering a culture of critical thinking and resilience, we can inoculate our societies against the lure of simplistic, divisive rhetoric. According to my experience, sports, guided appropriately, can be an extraordinary tool to that end. Let’s see how, with some examples.

Tackling the Climate Emergency: sports sector must take its responsibilities

The climate crisis is a global challenge that transcends borders and ideologies. The US and the EU, as major global players, have a moral and practical obligation to lead by example. Strengthening commitments to the Paris Agreement and setting more ambitious, actionable targets is imperative.

Investment in green technologies and renewable energy must be a cornerstone of this alliance. Collaborative efforts in research and development can accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. By sharing technological advancements and best practices, the transatlantic partnership can drive a global green revolution, fostering economic growth while safeguarding our planet for future generations.

As a concrete example I’d like to mention the significant responsibility of the sports sector, in general, and football, in particular, both in the US and the EU, in addressing its climate footprint, due to the vast resources consumed and the environmental impacts associated with sports events, facilities, and related activities. Just to name some of them: resource consumption, waste generation, transportation emissions, land use and biodiversity impact, facility construction and maintenance practices. In that regard, collaborative efforts can lead to the widespread adoption of energy-efficient design and technology in new and existing sports facilities, promoting sustainability and setting a standard for the industry.

Good examples of that cooperation would be the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, and the Spotify Camp Nou (the Futbol Club Barcelona Stadium), in Barcelona, Catalonia.

Both are examples of how green technologies can be applied to sports facilities, given the fact that both projects have integrated solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient lighting. By sharing these best practices and technologies, sports facilities across the US and EU can reduce their carbon footprint and operational costs.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions, through Sport partnerships

Democracy is indeed the foundation of the transatlantic partnership and again the sports sector (and institutions) have a unique role to play in promoting democratic values, combating corruption, and protecting human rights.

By leveraging their influence and reach, sports organizations can help strengthen democratic institutions both within the US and Europe and extend these efforts to neighboring regions.

There are several ways this can be achieved. For instance, Promoting International Sports Diplomacy, Supporting Grassroots Programs in Neighboring Regions, Hosting International Conferences and Workshops, establishing transparency and accountability programs (Initiatives like FIFA’s compliance program aim to ensure ethical conduct within football organizations), supporting human rights campaigns (UEFA’s “Respect” campaign promotes inclusion, diversity, and respect in football, tackling discrimination and promoting human rights), or, finally, collaborating with Anti-Corruption Bodies (as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) collaborates with INTERPOL to fight corruption and match-fixing in sports).

In sum, policymakers and sports institutions can work together to develop policy frameworks that integrate sports into broader democratic and human rights initiatives. This integration can ensure that sports contribute to the resilience of democratic institutions and the promotion of justice and equality. By taking these steps, sports institutions can play a pivotal role in strengthening democratic institutions, combating corruption, and protecting human rights, both within the US and Europe and beyond.

A Path Forward

As we stand at the precipice of an uncertain future, the transatlantic partnership offers a beacon of hope. By leveraging our shared values and pooling our strengths, we can confront the challenges of our time and build a more democratic, fair, and inclusive global order. This alliance is not merely a strategic necessity but a moral imperative. It calls for visionary leadership, unwavering commitment, and the courage to act in the face of adversity. Together, the United States and the European Union can forge a path forward, turning crisis into opportunities and ensuring that the future we bequeath to our children is brighter, more just, and more sustainable. And what is more universal than the language of sports?

As someone who has navigated the intricacies of international relations firsthand, I remain hopeful. The challenges are great, but so too is our capacity for cooperation and innovation. In the words of the poet Antonio Machado, “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” – “Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking.” Let us walk, or run, this path together, forging a future that reflects the best of our shared humanity.

Bearing all this in mind, my impression is clearly that a more pro-democracy United States administration in 2017 might have been a better friend than the Trump administration was. What we can expect from the future is in the people’s hands.