The inability of U.S. citizens, even a majority, to influence our country’s policies of war and peace in a rapid and effective way has long been obvious to many. Our support for Israel’s war in Gaza has made it painfully obvious—and now perilous.
The U.S. stands before the world as an accomplice to Israel’s flagrant violation of international law in Gaza. Yet Congress continues to pass aid because so many of our legislators—and their constituents and donors—cannot turn their backs on our ally, for valid reasons of historical memory and conscience.
So it is time to create an escrow account for further aid to Israel. With such an account we can still show support for our ally. But the aid will not be released until the U.N. certifies that Israel is in compliance with international law regarding the treatment of civilians in Gaza.
Many would argue, not without reason, that the U.N. is unlikely, at present, to certify Israel as being in any way compliant with international law. But Israel’s disputes with the U.N. and its member nations must be worked out there. The U.N. admitted Israel as a member state in 1949. The U.S. can help as a........