Israel’s decision to cut off electricity supply to Gaza desalination plant cruel and unlawful
Israel must not be allowed to use water as a weapon of war. Fuel, food, shelter and other supplies critical to the survival of the civilian population are a matter of life and death, not a means to exert pressure in negotiations. Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International “Israel’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza’s…
Eleanor Roosevelt holds copy of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1949
Israel must not be allowed to use water as a weapon of war. Fuel, food, shelter and other supplies critical to the survival of the civilian population are a matter of life and death, not a means to exert pressure in negotiations.
Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International
“Israel’s decision to cut off electricity to Gaza’s main operational desalination plant, a week after it halted the entry of all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, including fuel and food, violates international humanitarian law and is further evidence of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.
“These inhumane and unlawful actions are a clear indication that Israel is continuing its policy of deliberately imposing on Palestinians in Gaza conditions of life calculated to bring about their physical destruction – an act prohibited under the Genocide Convention. They are also a reminder of the control Israel has as occupying power, allowing it to turn life-critical services on and off at any given point….10 March 2025
FACT SHEET: 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act and Senator Bernie Sanders’ Resolution on Israel and Gaza
January 13, 2024
The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, requires that any security assistance or arms provided by the United States to any country must advance internationally- recognized human rights and avoid identification of the United States with any violations of those rights. The Act prohibits assistance to any government that engages in a consistent pattern of human rights violations….
The question the Senate will be voting on is simply this: Do you support asking the State Department for information on whether human rights violations may have occurred using U.S. equipment or assistance in Israel’s current military campaign?
In a speech given on the Senate floor on January 10, 2024, Sanders said:
“That is what this resolution does – in line with existing law, it directs the State Department to provide any credible information it may have on potential violations of internationally recognized human rights by Israel in its campaign in Gaza. It focuses in particular on the denial of the right to life – a human right enshrined in U.S. and international law – caused by indiscriminate or disproportionate military operations, as well as by the denial of basic humanitarian needs and access.
It also asks for additional information on steps the U.S. has taken to limit civilian risk in this war, a certification that the Leahy Laws are being fully applied, and a summary of the arms and munitions provided to Israel since October 7th.
“In essence, we will be voting on a very simple question: Do you support asking the State Department whether human rights violations may have occurred using U.S. equipment or assistance in this war? This resolution is not prescriptive – it does not alter aid to Israel in any way. It simply requests that the State Department report on how our aid is being used….
“This is information Congress should have and, whatever your views on this war, this resolution should be something you can support. If you believe that the campaign has been indiscriminate, as I do, then we have a responsibility to ask this question. If you believe Israel has done nothing wrong, then this information should support that belief.”
Connect the Dots 101 
Leave a comment