Will Biden Hold Israel Accountable for Its NSM-20 Violations?

Written By Leen Zalatimo

According to press reports, in less than one week, the Biden administration will deliver to Congress a report on foreign countries’ compliance with written assurances provided under National Security Memorandum 20 (NSM-20) that they will not use US weapons to violate international humanitarian law or obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid. 

Watch our expert briefing held on Thursday, May 9 as we examine the question of whether the Biden administration will hold Israel accountable for violating its NSM-20 assurances.

The credibility of Israel’s assurances provided under NSM-20 have been called into question by nongovernmental organizations, Members of Congress, and even bureaus within the State Department. The Biden administration’s NSM-20 report takes on even greater significance as Israel crosses President Biden’s “red line” by invading Rafah. 

Our experts for this briefing are:

  • Noura Erakat, Associate Professor of Africana Studies, Rutgers University and co-chair of the Independent Task Force on the Application of National Security Memorandum-20 to Israel 

  • Amanda Klasing, National Director of Government Relations and Advocacy at Amnesty International USA

  • Josh Paul, former State Department official and co-chair of the Independent Task Force on the Application of National Security Memorandum-20 to Israel

  • John Ramming Chapell, Advocacy and Legal Fellow in the Center for Civilians in Conflict’s (CIVIC) US Program

Leen Zalatimo