A Year of Empty Threats and a “Smokescreen” Policy: How the State Department Let Israel Get Away With Horrors in Gaza

The State Department, facing a volatile situation in Gaza, has opted for a strategy of restraint and diplomacy in its dealings with Israel. Critics on the left decry this as inaction in the face of what they describe as atrocities, yet this perspective fails to account for the broader geopolitical challenges and the necessity of maintaining a strong alliance with Israel. In a world where enemies of democracy look to exploit any divides between allied nations, the United States must navigate the intricate political landscape with prudence. The principles guiding U.S. foreign policy towards Israel and Gaza must balance the immediate human rights concerns with the long-term security interests of both the U.S. and its key Middle Eastern ally, emphasizing the complex nature of international diplomacy and the strategic importance of not undermining a crucial partnership in a volatile region.

In an era where global human rights are more important than ever, the U.S. State Department, under the Biden Administration, has turned a blind eye to the escalating human rights abuses in Gaza by Israel. Despite early signals of a more balanced approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, recent meetings among senior U.S. diplomats have revealed a disturbing trend of inaction and silence. Critics argue that this stance not only betrays international human rights principles but also allows for the continuation of suffering and violence against Palestinians without accountability. The promise of a new direction in U.S. foreign policy towards Israel and Palestine now seems more like a distant mirage, leaving advocates and victims alike waiting for meaningful change that may never come.