US Senators Accuse Israel of Ethnic Cleansing, Cite US Complicity in Gaza

Democratic Senators Jeff Merkley and Chris Van Hollen have released a report accusing the Israeli government of conducting an ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza, with the US complicit through its military aid and political support. Their report, based on a fact-finding trip to Gaza, the West Bank, and surrounding areas, documents widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including homes, hospitals, and schools, alongside a blockade that restricts food and humanitarian aid, effectively using starvation as a weapon of war. The senators highlight statements from key Israeli officials advocating for the removal or destruction of Palestinians from Gaza, which they argue signal official government policy rather than fringe views. They call for Congress to halt all military aid to Israel and enforce US human rights laws, emphasizing that the conditions created by Israel force Palestinians to leave rather than voluntary departure. The Council on American-Islamic Relations praised the senators for their commitment to truth and accountability amid political pressure. The report urges international action to hold Israel accountable and end what it describes as systematic ethnic cleansing.