U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken met Tuesday in Ramallah with a Palestinian activist who urged him to use the word “apartheid” in reference to Israel and asked the U.S. to end arms sales to Israel, as well as financial and diplomatic support.
Issa Amro, who described himself in a press released as a “grassroots Palestinian activist,” met Blinken on his recent visit to the region, along with State Department official Hady Amr.
In a press release, Amro said:
Amro also opposed a $735 million arms sale to Israel, claiming that Israel had “carried on an attack on the Gaza strip.”In the meeting, which was with members of Palestinian civil society, Amro asked the Secretary of State to end unquestioned U.S. financial and diplomatic support for Israel. “I told him that without making Israel’s occupation costly, nothing will change,” Amro said. “It is a one-state reality of apartheid.” … Amro said the meeting with Blinken was productive and described Blinken and Amr as compassionate and concerned.
Israel attacked Palestinian Hamas terrorists in response to Hamas launching thousands of rockets at Israel, targeting civilians. The arms sale involved precision guided munitions designed to minimize civilian casualties. Even the head of UNRWA, the United Nations’ special agency for Palestinian refugees, described Israel’s strikes in Gaza as “precise” and sophisticated.”
The false claim of “apartheid” is an accusation hurled at Israel ever since the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, which was noted for its antisemitism. The accusation is aimed at isolating Israel.