US Govt Sued for Failing to Evacuate Palestinian Americans

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Nine Americans of Palestinian descent filed a lawsuit against the US government for failing to rescue them from Gaza
• The plaintiffs cried discrimination, saying that the US government violated their constitutional right to equal protection
• The US government reiterated that the safety of Americans is its highest priority

Nine Palestinian Americans have sued the US government, including incumbent president Joe Biden, for failing to rescue them and their families who remain trapped in the war-stricken Gaza strip.

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, alleging that they felt discriminated for not getting a quick evacuation assistance as the government did for citizens of other backgrounds.

They said the US government violated their constitutional right to equal protection by not providing the same level of evacuation support extended to Israeli Americans and Lebanese Americans.

They claimed the government’s failure to act equitably reflects a “two-tier system” that discriminates Palestinian Americans.

The plaintiffs requested for their immediate evacuation and compensation for legal costs.

No evacuation for Palestinian Americans

According to the lawsuit, the US government quickly arranged the evacuation of Israeli Americans and their relatives in the wake of the October attacks.

Similar efforts were reportedly extended to Lebanese Americans in 2024.

In contrast, no such evacuation was allegedly offered to Palestinian Americans, despite the worsening conditions in Gaza, where ongoing Israeli bombardments have caused widespread casualties and devastation.

“With every passing day, the danger of our clients dying from Israeli bombardment or the starvation and disease now rampant in Gaza only goes up. The State Department must do the right thing and save these people from certain death,” said Attorney Maria Kari, who is representing the plaintiffs.

The US State Department has not commented directly on the lawsuit but reiterated that the safety and security of American citizens around the world remains its “top priority.” 

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with a large-scale Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has led to the deaths of over 45,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

While Israel has denied accusations of genocide and war crimes, the violence has sparked intense international debate and concern.