What were once mere whispers of disapproval have evolved into a resounding outcry, capturing the attention of a global audience increasingly wearied by the daily tragic plight of the Palestinians.
The recent US veto of the United Nations Security Council resolution, intended to halt the military onslaught in Gaza, has become a catalyst, intensifying the flames of dissent among American citizens. Many perceive this action as a tacit endorsement of Israel's unrestrained aggression, sparking indignation among those calling for a reevaluation of US policies that seemingly endorse the indiscriminate targeting of civilians in the pursuit of geopolitical alliances. It's noteworthy that this isn't an isolated incident; the US has wielded its veto power in support of the Israeli regime multiple times. Since 1945, the US has vetoed a total of 34 UN Security Council draft resolutions related to the Israel-Palestine conflict, unequivocally expressing the country’s support for Israel whenever resolutions critiqued their actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
As images of civilian casualties and the devastating destruction of homes and infrastructure in Gaza flood the media, public sentiment has evolved from mere disapproval to active protest. Earlier this week, dozens of activists protested in front of the US Senate office building, demanding the United States to push for a permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The demonstrators, clad in black T-shirts reading "Not In Our Name," chained themselves to the White House fence, scattering fake money on the floor to symbolize the blood money that the US is giving to Israel and holding a banner reading "Aid to Israel = Bombing Palestinians."
Protest movements, both on social media platforms and in physical gatherings, spotlight the diverse range of concerns among US citizens. Some express dismay over the perceived imbalance in US foreign policy, contending that significant aid to Israel may not align with the broader interests and values of the American people. Many citizens are also questioning the substantial financial aid provided to Israel, drawn from US taxpayer money, leading to heightened scrutiny and calls for transparency in how taxpayer dollars are utilized in foreign aid. This is while Israel receives more than $3 billion in military aid each year, and the US Congress is now weighing a Biden administration proposal to send the occupying regime more than $10 billion in supplemental military support to continue the war against the innocent Gazan civilians.
In addition to financial aid, the US is responsible for providing Israel with some of its most advanced war machinery, including a collection of US-made F-35 fighter jets, which is considered the most advanced fighters in the world. Israel is now using these weapons to attack Gaza, according to open-source accounts. According to a Washington Post investigation, Israel also used US-supplied internationally banned white phosphorus munitions in an October attack in southern Lebanon.
While people in the United States express growing discontent with their country's stance on the Gaza conflict, President Joe Biden hosted a White House reception on Monday to mark Hanukkah, celebrating the Jewish festival of lights, and affirming, "I am a Zionist," promising continued military assistance to Israel.
The unanimous backing from the US political machinery for Israel, despite international pleas for restraint, has left a bitter taste for those seeking justice and an end to the suffering in Gaza. This allegiance, perceived by some as an unchecked carte blanche for Israel to act with impunity, has fueled a groundswell of dissatisfaction, not only with the policies themselves but also with the broader ethical and moral implications of such unwavering support.
Recent polling indicates that younger Americans are now taking a more fierce stance on the Gaza conflict and are more likely to support Palestinians. According to a Quinnipiac University national poll released in mid-November, 52% of younger voters, ages 18-34, said their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians while 29% said they side with the Israelis.
This discontent among the American public is now evolving into a global movement demanding accountability, transparency, and a recalibration of US foreign policy in the Middle East, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of a nation that champions human rights but seemingly turns a blind eye to the human suffering in Gaza. Younger Americans, in particular, are more likely to support Palestinians, according to recent polling, revealing a shift in sentiments that transcends national borders.
MNA/
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