US Citizen Killed in Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon
Death of a US Citizen in Lebanon
A United States citizen, Hajj Kamel Ahmad Jawad, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon earlier this week. This incident has increased the criticism faced by the Biden administration for not evacuating Americans from Lebanon, which is currently under heavy attack from a military heavily armed by the U.S. Jawad, a resident of Dearborn, Michigan, was killed in his hometown of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.
Jawad's Selfless Acts
According to his family, Jawad chose to stay near the main hospital in Nabatieh in his last days to help those who were elderly, disabled, injured, or financially incapable of fleeing. He provided them with food, mattresses, and other comforts, and even paid off their debts anonymously.
White House Response
The White House confirmed Jawad's death in a statement on Wednesday, but did not acknowledge that he was killed by an Israeli strike. A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department initially stated that Jawad was a legal permanent resident, not an American citizen, a claim contradicted by Jawad's family and U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib's office.
Impact of Israeli Aggression
Jawad's family stated that his life is one of over 50,000 lost due to Israeli aggression across the Middle East. They emphasized that his American citizenship should not make his story more important than others. Since mid-September, more than 1,000 people, including a significant number of women and children, have been killed by Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
US Support for Israel and Failure to Evacuate Citizens
The U.S. has backed Israel's assault on Lebanon and sent additional troops to the region to support its ally. However, the Biden administration has been criticized for not evacuating U.S. citizens from Lebanon swiftly. While other countries like Germany, China, and Canada have evacuated their citizens, the U.S. has been accused of lagging behind.
Efforts to Evacuate US Citizens
During a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller stated that the administration has been working to find available seats on existing commercial flights. They have identified over 800 seats, some of which have been used by American citizens.
Reactions from US Citizens in Lebanon
Tlaib stated that her office has been trying to help 148 residents from her district evacuate Lebanon. She criticized the Biden administration for not doing enough to help evacuate her constituents. Other Americans in Lebanon have also expressed their frustration with the U.S. embassy in Beirut for not providing assistance in fleeing the violence.
Perceived Discrimination Against Lebanese Americans
Some American citizens of Lebanese descent feel they have been treated as lesser U.S. citizens than Israeli U.S. citizens. Abbas Alawieh, co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement and a Lebanese American, stated that U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have repeatedly turned down requests to meet with Americans who have family members in Lebanon.
Bottom Line
The death of a US citizen in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon has brought the Biden administration's handling of the situation under scrutiny. The perceived lack of action in evacuating American citizens from the conflict zone has led to criticism and claims of discrimination against Lebanese Americans. What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think the U.S. government is doing enough to protect its citizens abroad? Share this article with your friends and let them know about this ongoing issue. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
