The American civil rights group NAACP asked the President of the United States, Joe Biden, this Thursday (6) to “indefinitely” suspend all arms deliveries to Israel.
They also called for pressure on Israel to end its war in the Gaza Strip.
The action serves as a reminder that the Biden administration’s support for Israel could hurt it in the November election.
The NAACP’s appeal was a rare example of the influential civil rights organization taking a stance on U.S. foreign policy toward a country without a significant black population.
The situation appears likely to increase the Democratic president’s challenges in an election year as he tries to support a key ally abroad and calm unrest among his supporters at home.
Still, the 115-year-old civil rights group said Israel has the right to defend itself following the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.
The NAACP called on Hamas to release the hostages and “stop all terrorist activities.”
It also requested that Israel “commit to an offensive strategy that is in line with international and humanitarian law.” The Middle Eastern country faces accusations at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that it violated the genocide convention, which the Israeli government denies.
The American group, which advocates racial justice and black rights, said the US must use its influence with Israel to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
According to health authorities in the Hamas-administered territory, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians, caused widespread famine and displaced most of the population.
“The NAACP calls on President Biden to draw the line and indefinitely end the shipment of all weapons and artillery to the State of Israel and other states that supply weapons to Hamas and other terrorist organizations,” the organization highlighted in a statement provided first to Reuters.
“It is imperative that the violence that has claimed so many civilian lives stops immediately,” he added.
The NAACP’s stance is the latest warning sign that Biden could face an impact among black voters in the Nov. 5 presidential election due to his staunch support for Israel.
Importance of black voters for Biden
Black voters have long been a loyal Democratic constituency and played a significant role in Biden’s victory in 2020, when he defeated Republican Donald Trump, who he will face again this year.
But polls show a lack of enthusiasm for Biden among black voters.
In an interview with Reuters, NAACP President Derrick Johnson noted that the US needs to show moral leadership and stop sending weapons to Israel because of civilian deaths.
Israel says it takes care to avoid civilian deaths and blames Hamas for, according to the Israeli government, hiding its fighters and command centers among the Gaza population.
Johnson said the NAACP’s decision to speak out was motivated, in part, by young black Americans horrified by images of dead Palestinian civilians.
“This is raising a lot of questions about why our tax dollars are being used to harm civilians,” Johnson said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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