Palestinians Charge Genocide in U.S. Court; Biden & Blinken Sued for Backing Israel's War on Gaza

Summary

Palestinian writer Lea Alhadad and the Center for Constitutional Rights are suing the Biden administration for complicity in Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza. In federal court testimony, Alhadad described how U.S. weapons and support enabled Israel to kill her family members and displace Palestinians. Despite recent ICJ orders for Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, the U.S. cut aid to UNRWA. The judge acknowledged this may be the most difficult case ever. Palestinians aim to stop the genocide, as the U.S. refuses to prevent attacks on civilians in Gaza.

Takeaways

• 😞 The Biden administration is being sued for failing to prevent an 'unfolding genocide' against Palestinians in Gaza
• 😢 Palestinians testified in a US federal court about losing family members and suffering horrific conditions in Gaza
• 😠 Israel's policies and actions in Gaza, enabled by the US, are causing widespread death, injury and displacement of Palestinians
• 😤 The International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza, lending support to the lawsuit arguments
• 😫 Palestinian writer Lea Alhadad gave heartbreaking testimony about her cousins in Gaza being killed and her family becoming refugees
• 😟 Alhadad said Palestinians feel an obligation to pursue legal action against the US government for enabling attacks on Gaza with money and weapons
• 😨 Many of Alhadad's family members in Gaza have been displaced multiple times and are now living in squalid, dangerous conditions without adequate shelter or aid
• 😢 The US abruptly cut aid funding to Gaza amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis impacting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians
• 😤 The federal judge acknowledged this is likely the most difficult case he has ever presided over, due to the complex issues involved
• 😓 The lawsuit seeks an emergency injunction against the Biden administration for its role in contributing to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Q & A

What is the Warren Peace Report?

The Warren Peace Report is a segment on the Democracy Now news program hosted by Amy Goodman.

What did the International Court of Justice order regarding Israel and Gaza?

The ICJ ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, but stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

Who filed the genocide case against the Biden administration?

The Center for Constitutional Rights filed the case in November against President Biden, Secretary of State Blinken, and Defense Secretary Austin.

Where did the federal court hearing on the genocide case take place?

The hearing took place in a federal courtroom in Oakland, California.

How did the plaintiffs in the case testify?

The Palestinian and American plaintiffs testified in person and by phone from Gaza about the Biden administration's failure to prevent genocide in Gaza.

What did Lea Alhadad testify about?

Lea Alhadad testified about how Israel killed her family members in Gaza and displaced others, depriving them of basic needs, with US support.

What happened to Lea's cousin Rafaat Alareer?

Rafaat Alareer, a Palestinian academic and activist, was killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza in December 2021 along with his brother and other family members.

How did the US respond to the recent violence in Gaza?

Secretary of State Blinken quickly cut off US aid to Gaza after the recent violence, though the US continued to provide support to Israel.

What is the goal of the Center for Constitutional Rights' lawsuit?

The lawsuit aims to get a court order requiring the US government to stop aiding Israel's actions in Gaza that the plaintiffs allege amount to genocide.

What makes this federal case unique?

This appears to be the first time so many Palestinians have directly testified in a US court about their experiences under Israeli occupation.