Israel receives the majority of its weapons from the U.S., with more than $3 billion in military aid provided annually. This was significantly increased in October, with Congress approving an additional $14 billion in military assistance to Israel. Despite this support, President Biden has expressed increasing criticism of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, stating that the Palestinian people have endured “sheer hell.” The White House has acknowledged that Israel may have violated international law in Gaza using weapons provided by the U.S.
However, Palestinians remain frustrated that this criticism has not resulted in the withholding of arms or strong censure of Israel at the U.N. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have not outlined clear approaches to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Support for Palestinians has increased internationally, with the U.N. International Court of Justice ruling on accusations of genocide against Israel and the International Criminal Court requesting arrest warrants for Israeli leaders over alleged war crimes.
Support for Israel has decreased in many countries, with the U.S. being the only wealthy nation where Israel still has a positive score. Recent conflicts between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have further exacerbated the situation, leading to a new humanitarian crisis in both countries. Overall, there is a growing sense of hope among Palestinians that the future may bring positive change, despite the long road ahead.
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