Thread by @theIMEU

NEWS: @SecBlinken finished up a trip to apartheid Israel today that once again glossed over Israel’s brutal military rule and oppression of Palestinians. Here’s some of what he did and did not say:

On this trip the Biden administration continued to push Trump era weapons deals with authoritarian regimes like the UAE to shore up regional support for Israeli apartheid and boost corporate profits for US weapons manufacturers.

.@SecBlinken discussed the importance of supporting Ukrainians resisting Russia’s military occupation, but ignored how the US provides billions of dollars each year for Israel’s military occupation over millions of Palestinians.

But @SecBlinken ignored the role of US policy in the oppression of Palestinians. The @StateDept still hasn’t responded to @SenatorBaldwin and @RepGwenMoore’s request for an investigation into Israel’s killing of Palestinian American Omar Assad.

.@SecBlinken arrived as Israel is attempting to destroy the homes of 38 Palestinian families in Al-Walaja, which would leave 300 Palestinians without a place to call home. Destroying homes is a war crime and the U.S. government needs to hold Israel accountable. #SaveAlWalaja

The @StateDept still hasn’t pushed back on Israel’s repression of 6 prominent Palestinian human rights organizations. Israel is trying to prevent these orgs from documenting the Israeli government's violence and oppression against Palestinians. #StandWithThe6

The @StateDept still hasn’t reopened the US consulate in Jerusalem… @POTUS shouldn’t be continuing one-sided Trump era policies that are blocking vital services for Palestinians, including assistance with travel, education, and more.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the OPT just released a report underscoring what Palestinians have been saying for decades: Israel’s separate and unequal apartheid system oppresses millions of Palestinians. How much longer will @SecBlinken ignore the facts?

.SecBlinken mentioned how @POTUS restarted @UNRWA funding, which is vital to help millions of Palestinian refugees access critical services. This is welcome. But it's not nearly enough. Palestinians need freedom and the ability to return home, not just humanitarian funding.

tl;dr @SecBlinken shook hands with Israel’s apartheid rulers, but he ignored Israel’s brutal treatment of Palestinians. That’s unacceptable, and it’s past time US gov policy did more than offer lip service to human rights. It’s time to support Palestinian freedom.