Student Researcher: Erin Galbraith
Evaluator: Andy Merrifield, Ph.D and David McCuan, Ph.D
The devastating Israeli firepower, unleashed largely on Palestinian civilians in Gaza during the three week attack starting December 27th, was fueled by US supplied weapons paid for with US tax dollars. F-16 fighter planes, Apache helicopters, tactical missiles, and a wide array of munitions, including white phosphorus, were provided by Washington. The weapons required for the Israeli assault were decided upon in June 2008, and the transfer of 1,000 bunker-buster GPS-guided Small Diameter Guided Bomb Units 39 (GBU-39) was approved by Congress in September. The GBU 39 bombs were delivered to Israel in November (prior to any claims of cease fire violation) for use in the initial air raids on Gaza. A vessel capable of “carrying 5.8 million pounds of net explosive weight” was similarly ordered in early December. In a direct challenge to the UN Security Council, Amnesty International, International Red Cross and voices of protest from around the world demanding a cease fire, both houses of US Congress overwhelmingly endorsed resolutions to support a continuation of Israel’s “self defense.” Four days after the carnage ensued, on December 31, the US Navy’s Sealift Command hired ships to deliver another 3,000-odd tons of arms to Israel from Greece. This last shipment was halted mid-January due to Greek protest.
“U.S. Weaponry Facilitates Killings in Gaza” Thalif Deen, Inter Press Service, January 8, 2009 http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=45337
“U.S. seeks ship to move arms to Israel” Stefano Ambrogi, Reuters, January 8, 2009 http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE50874B20090109
“Report: US military re-supplying Israel with ammunition through Greece” Saed Bannoura – International Middle East Media Center News, January 8, 2009 http://www.imemc.org/article/58374
“US Senate Endorses Israel’s War on Gaza” Jeremy R. Hammond, Information Clearing House, January 09, 2009 ”
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article21696.htm