US representatives urge Biden, Government Accountability Office to review US arms transfers to Israel

US Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, along with other representatives, sent a letter Wednesday to President Biden and the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), calling for an evaluation of the State Department’s adherence to the Leahy Laws and Biden’s Conventional Arms Transfer policy in relation to security aid provided to the Israeli government.

At a press conference on 5 January, a National Security Council spokesperson said that the US government has yet to undertake an official assessment of Israel’s adherence to international law since the onset of the Gaza war.

In response, several representatives of Congress are urging Biden and the GAO to perform their necessary oversight roles to confirm compliance with legal standards in US arms transfers.

“If human rights for all people is a principle that this administration would claim to uphold internationally, then you must conduct assessments as to the State Department’s compliance with both of the Leahy Laws and your own Conventional Arms Transfer policy as it pertains to security assistance to Israel. We demand you immediately take the aforementioned steps to enforce these policies without delay,” the letter said.