Case against Biden dismissed but US judge says it's 'plausible' Israel is engaging in genocide

A US federal judge in Oakland has dismissed a lawsuit accusing the Biden administration of failing to prevent a genocide in Gaza, but in the same ruling said that Washington should stop its unremitting and fervent support for the Israeli siege on Gaza.

The ruling by Judge Jeffrey White, who had dismissed the case because the court did not have jurisdiction over the issue, was a legal blow to the Palestinian plaintiffs' months-long battle to halt US support for Israel's war in Gaza, with part of the lawsuit including a demand that Washington halt relevant military assistance to Israel.

The plaintiffs and their lawyers noted that the judge's inclusion of a recognition that there was evidence to support Israel was committing genocide in Gaza was a historic moment.

“As the ICJ has found, it is plausible that Israel’s conduct amounts to genocide,” Judge White said.

Katherine Gallagher, senior staff attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, said the Biden administration should "heed" the judge's call and said they would continue to pursue all legal avenues. 

Read more: Case against Biden dismissed but US judge says it's 'plausible' Israel is engaging in genocide