Opinion | Military Aid to Israel Cannot Be Unconditional
Opinion | Military Aid to Israel Cannot Be Unconditional The New York Times
sdgtalks
The Suffering of Civilians in Gaza and the US-Israel Relationship
The Situation in Gaza
The suffering of civilians in Gaza — tens of thousands dead, many of them children; hundreds of thousands homeless, many at risk of starvation — has become more than a growing number of Americans can abide.
According to the ReliefWeb, the healthcare system in Gaza is in ruins and the population is suffering.
The US-Israel Relationship
The United States commitment to Israel — including $3.8 billion a year in military aid, the largest outlay of American foreign aid to any one country in the world — is a reflection of the exceptionally close and enduring relationship between the two countries.
However, this bond of trust must prevail between donors and recipients of lethal arms from the United States, which supplies arms according to formal conditions that reflect American values and the obligations of international law.
The Broken Bond
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the hard-liners in his government have broken the bond of trust between the US and Israel.
Until this bond is restored, America cannot continue supplying Israel with the arms it has been using in its war against Hamas.
The Right to Self-Defense
The question is not whether Israel has the right to defend itself against an enemy sworn to its destruction. It does.
Hamas, a terrorist organization, has violated international law by hiding behind civilian fronts and bears a major share of responsibility for the suffering inflicted on the people in whose name it purports to act.
The Importance of Israel’s Defense
The United States should continue to help Israel defend itself. America’s commitments to Israel’s defense are long term, substantial, mutually beneficial, and essential.
No president or Congress should deny the only state on earth with a Jewish majority the means to ensure its survival.
Netanyahu’s Cynical Double Games
Prime Minister Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival against growing anger from his electorate. He has resisted diplomatic efforts for a cease-fire that might have led to a release of hostages still in the custody of Hamas.
Furthermore, he has used American armaments to go after Hamas but has been deaf to repeated demands from President Biden and his national security team to do more to protect civilians in Gaza from being harmed by those armaments.
The Threat of Hamas
Hamas poses a threat to the security of the region and to any hope of peace between Palestinians and Israelis.
The hard-liners in Netanyahu’s cabinet pledge to reoccupy Gaza and reject any notion of a Palestinian state, which goes against U.S. policy.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round | Indicators implied: tens of thousands dead, many at risk of starvation |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 1.1: Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
– Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
– Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage and access to quality healthcare services.
– Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Tens of thousands dead: This indicates the severity of the situation and the need to address the issue of violence and related death rates.
– Many at risk of starvation: This indicates the need to address the issue of hunger and ensure access to sufficient food.
These indicators reflect the impact of the conflict on poverty, hunger, and well-being in Gaza.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: nytimes.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
