Netanyahu’s Dangerous Plans Advance Amid U.S. Visit

War crimes and crimes against humanity continue in Gaza without a workable ceasefire:

• Dozens of civilians in Gaza continue to be killed by Israeli forces almost every day, both by ongoing bombings and near “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation” aid distribution sites, around which mass deaths have become so routine, they have been dubbed “killing fields” for Palestinians seeking food amid starvation caused by months of near-total blockade on aid.
• Netanyahu continues to reject proposals that would allow experienced humanitarian aid agencies to resume essential aid delivery or commit Israel to steps toward a permanent ceasefire, while he and Trump advance plans to relocate Palestinian civilians from Gaza that constitute the crime against humanity of forced displacement – i.e., ethnic cleansing.
• Trump continues to arm and abet Israel’s war crimes with new shipments of U.S. weapons, in violation of both international humanitarian law and U.S. law. 

Advancing Israeli war crimes in the West Bank threaten to further destabilize the Middle East:

• Israeli settlers backed by U.S.-armed Israeli forces have increased violent attacks against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, with deadly incidents rightly being likened to “pogroms” against civilians who Israel is obligated by international law to protect.
• Settler attacks are part of an accelerating campaign of forced displacement that also involves Israel bulldozing Palestinian communities and removing their residents from their land.
• Ministers and senior lawmakers from Netanyahu’s own Likud party are pushing the Prime Minister to officially annex the West Bank, with the Trump administration saying it “stands with Israel and its decisions” when asked about possible annexation of the occupied territory.

Iran’s nuclear activities unleashed and unmonitored as hawks pivot to push for more war:

• While Trump continues to say that last month’s U.S. attack on Iran “obliterated” its nuclear program, it is clear the strikes did not destroy the program, and have not only set it back by far less than the 2015 Iran Deal, but likely further incentivized Iran to seek nuclear weapons.
• In a widely predicted move, the Israeli government and war hawks are already floating the idea that additional military action is needed to address Iran’s nuclear activities, raising the possibility of further U.S. involvement in hostilities that could become another major conflict.
• Diplomacy toward a new agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear activities will only succeed if Trump avoids making maximalist demands – like insisting on zero uranium enrichment in Iran – based on the mistaken notion that he destroyed Iran’s program, rather than further incentivized a dash for nuclear weapons by the regime.