A lawsuit accuses Joe Biden and other top officials of complicity in genocide in Gaza. The podcast explores the criteria for genocide, US officials' involvement, concrete steps to stop the alleged genocide, and the impact on defendants. It also discusses the impact of the Israeli assault on Gaza and shares a story of resilience.
Palestinian American plaintiff seeks accountability from the US government for funding the Israeli government's alleged genocide in Gaza through legal action.
Lawsuit against President Biden and others highlights the Israeli government's acts of genocide in Gaza and seeks to halt military assistance.
Deep dives
Lawsuit accuses US President of complicity in Israeli government's actions
Leila Al-Hadat, a Palestinian American, is a plaintiff in a lawsuit accusing US President Joe Biden and other administration officials of complicity in the Israeli government's alleged unfolding genocide in Gaza. She emphasizes the role of her tax dollars in funding the weapons used in attacks that have killed numerous members of her family and innocent Palestinians. Al-Hadat believes that taking legal action is necessary to bring attention to the ongoing atrocities and put pressure on the US government to stop supporting Israel. The lawsuit seeks to prevent additional military assistance and hold the defendants accountable for their alleged knowledge of the unfolding genocide.
The case presents evidence of genocide actions in Gaza
The lawsuit against President Biden and others argues that the Israeli government's actions in Gaza meet the criteria for genocide as outlined in the Convention on the Prevention of Genocide. It highlights the underlying acts, including airstrikes, causing bodily and mental harm, and deliberately inflicting conditions to destroy the group. The total siege on Gaza, where basic necessities are blocked or destroyed, contributes to the destruction of Palestinian lives. The specific intent of the Israeli officials has been admitted, with statements from Israeli leaders describing Palestinians as 'human animals' and invoking biblical stories associated with genocide. The case also emphasizes the knowledge of US officials, including Biden, of the unfolding genocide.
Impact of the lawsuit and the potential to halt support
If successful, the lawsuit could have concrete outcomes in stopping the ongoing genocide. It could potentially prevent additional military assistance from the US to Israel and halt the approval of military equipment. The case also has the potential to impact travel restrictions for the defendants, as they could be held liable for international crimes in courts where universal jurisdiction applies. The ultimate goal of the lawsuit, according to Leila Al-Hadat, is to end the genocide in Gaza and raise awareness about the dire situation. By taking legal action and holding those responsible accountable, the case aims to pressure the US government to change its support for Israel's actions.
A lawsuit against US President Joe Biden and other top officials accuses them of complicity in genocide in Gaza. What will it mean for the US government and Palestinians?
In this episode:
Laila el-Haddad (@gazamom), Palestinian Journalist and Author
Astha Sharma Pokharel (@AsthaSPokharel), Center for Constitutional Rights Attorney
Episode credits:
This episode was produced by Amy Walters, Chloe K. Li and our host Malika Bilal. Fahrinisa Campana fact-checked this episode.
Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our lead of audience development and engagement is Aya Elmileik and Adam Abou-Gad is our engagement producer.
Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer, and Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio.