White House fails to meet deadline to report to Congress on whether US finds credible Israel's assurances that its use of US weapons in besieged Gaza does not violate US or international law.A view of M825 and M825A1 artillery shells labeled D528, the US Department of Defense Identification Code for “white phosphorus-based munitions” in Sderot, Israel on October 09, 2023. / Photo: AA
A National Security Memorandum, known as NSM-20, that Biden issued in February requires the State Department to report to Congress by May 8 on whether it finds credible Israel's assurances that its use of US weapons does not violate US or international law.news agency on Tuesday the administration had informed congressional committees that it would not make the deadline, but hoped to present its findings within days.
Washington's provision of military supply to hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has prompted protests across the US demanding that universities and Biden withdraw support for Israel, including sending weaponry.In Washington, many of Biden's fellow Democrats have called for a shift in long-standing US policy of providing unconditional military support to Tel Aviv.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a news briefing on Tuesday the NSM-20 report was not yet finished but the department was working"very hard" to complete it.