In his speech to the Knesset, Trump told Netanyahu: “We make the best weapons in the world, and we’ve got a lot of them. And we’ve given a lot to Israel … [And] you used them well,” writes Marjorie Cohn.
President Donald Trump addressing the Israeli Knesset in Jerusalem on Oct. 13. (White House /Daniel Torok)
By Marjorie Cohn
Special to Consortium News
As Donald Trump congratulates Israel for its conduct of the genocide in Gaza, he should be charged with aiding and abetting genocide, not given the Nobel Peace Prize.
In his speech on Monday to the Israeli Knesset, Trump spent an hour bragging about how he ended the “war” in Gaza and “an age of terror and death,” declaring, “This is the historic dawn of a new Middle East.”
He decried the “thousands of innocent Israeli civilians” who “were attacked by terrorists in one of the most evil and heinous desecrations of innocent life the world has ever seen; the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust,” adding, “The cruelty of October 7th struck to the core of humanity itself. Nobody could believe what they were witnessing.”
Conspicuously absent from Trump’s remarks was any reference to the ubiquitous images of the nearly 68,000 Palestinians killed (possibly as many as 680,000, U.N. Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said on September 15), including at least 20,000 children, and the more than 170,000 injured by Israel during its two-year campaign of genocide in Gaza.
Trump failed to mention the 641,000 Gazans — about one-third of all Palestinians in Gaza — who have experienced catastrophic famine as Israel used mass starvation as a weapon of war and denied the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
And Trump omitted the fact that Israel has destroyed the civilian infrastructure across Gaza. It disabled most of the hospitals, damaged approximately 97 percent of the schools, and damaged or destroyed roughly 90 percent of all housing units.
Instead, Trump boasted about the weapons he furnished to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu and praised Israel’s use of them to massacre Palestinian people:
“We make the best weapons in the world, and we’ve got a lot of them. And we’ve given a lot to Israel, frankly. I mean, Bibi would call me so many times, ‘Can you get me this weapon, that weapon, that weapon?’ Some of them I never heard of, Bibi, and I made them. But we’d get them here, wouldn’t we, huh? And they are the best. They are the best. But you used them well.”
With those words, Trump admitted his complicity with Israel in its commission of genocide in Gaza.
Aided & Abetted Israel’s Genocide
Some of South Africa’s legal team on Jan. 26, 2024, for the ICJ order on indication of provisional measures in Pretoria’s genocide case against Israel. (ICJ)
In its Jan. 26, 2024, ruling, the International Court of Justice found a “plausible” case that Israel was violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Citing the definition of genocide in the Convention, the ICJ ruled:
“Israel shall take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all genocidal acts, particularly (a) killing members of the group; (b) causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; (c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; and (d) imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group.”
The ICJ also decreed that “Israel shall take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza.”
Nevertheless, Israel persisted in committing genocidal acts, including killing and wounding Palestinians, and depriving them of food, medicine, fuel, and water, while displacing them multiple times.
“It is often said that there is no daylight between Washington and Tel Aviv — a relationship whose deadly consequences are etched into the mass graves of Gaza,” according to a petition filed on Oct. 7, 2025, by Taxpayers Against Genocide (TAG) and Palestinian-Americans against the United States in the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
“After October 2023, the United States shifted from ally into public accomplice,” the petition continues.
“For almost two years, it has knowingly and deliberately sustained Israel’s assault on Gaza. By providing weaponry, technology, funding, and diplomatic shield, the U.S. has entwined itself in Israel’s genocidal machinery, turning what might have been a short-lived offensive into a protracted campaign of annihilation, conducted with impunity.”
Trump with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others after disembarking Air Force One at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel on Oct. 13, 2025. (White House/Daniel Torok)
On March 2, 2025, Israel declared a “total blockade” on Gaza, refusing to allow the entry of all essential goods, including food, medicine, water, fuel, and electricity, “devastating a population already ‘starving, sick, and dying,’” according to the petition. Netanyahu said the blockade was executed “in full coordination with President Trump and his people.”
Since January 2025, the Trump administration has delivered more than $12.5 billion in major military assistance to Israel, including weapons it has used to commit genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza. An Israeli official told Axios: “In most calls and meetings Trump told Bibi: ‘Do what you have to do in Gaza.’”
Moreover, ensuring that the carnage would continue, Trump’s administration provided diplomatic and political cover for Israel’s genocide. It vetoed two U.N. Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and the allowance of humanitarian aid into Gaza, one on June 4 and the other on Sept. 18.
“The United States bears legal responsibility under international law for its continued provision of military, financial, and diplomatic support to Israel amid Israel’s commission of genocidal acts against the Palestinian population in Gaza,” the petition states. It adds:
“This support has persisted despite widespread, credible warnings from international bodies that Israel’s actions amount to international crimes and constitute, or at minimum pose a serious risk of constituting, genocide.”
The Genocide Convention prohibits the failure to prevent genocide and creates a duty upon states to refrain from complicity in genocide, triggering both state and individual criminal responsibility. Complicity occurs when a state knowingly aids or assists another state in the commission of genocide, including by furnishing the means to enable or facilitate the genocide.
The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (I.C.C.) provides for the prosecution of individuals who have aided and abetted genocide, including by “providing the means for its commission.”
Trump and his high officials should be investigated and charged by the I.C.C. for aiding and abetting genocide, and prosecuted for complicity in genocide in national courts under universal jurisdiction.
What Happens Next?
An aerial view showing destruction in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, after Israeli forces withdrawal and as the ceasefire took hold, Jan. 21, 2025. (UNRWA/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0)
Meanwhile, Gazans are slowly making their way back to their land, arriving to find piles of rubble where their homes once stood. The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt remains closed to the entry of humanitarian aid. Only 300 of the 600 aid trucks agreed to in the ceasefire deal have been allowed to enter Gaza.
Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza continue. At least 38 people have been confirmed killed since last Friday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and Hamas has handed over the bodies of 10 Israeli captives.
In a statement Wednesday, Hamas said it had handed over “the corpses it could access,” adding, “As for the remaining corpses, it requires extensive efforts and special equipment for their retrieval and extraction. We are exerting great effort in order to close this file.”
Two of Trump’s advisers told reporters they don’t think Hamas has violated the ceasefire agreement about the recovery of the bodies of Israeli hostages because they lack heavy equipment required to locate the remains. But Israeli officials told the Trump administration that Hamas isn’t doing enough to retrieve the bodies and cautioned that the deal can’t proceed to the next phase until progress is made.
There is no doubt that the ceasefire is a welcome development — one that should have happened long ago. But the subsequent steps in Trump’s plan and how it will be implemented remain vague and elusive.
Far from constituting a peace plan, it is a blueprint to continue Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and deny the Palestinian people their lawful right to self-determination.
The plan provides that Palestinians will be governed by a colonial “Board of Peace” chaired by Trump, composed of many non-Palestinians. And it calls for the imposition of an “international stabilization force” not under Palestinian control.
After Trump announced his plan, Netanyahu said that the Israel Defense Forces “will remain in most of the [Palestinian] territory” and that Israel did “absolutely not” agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Trump told CNN on Wednesday that Israeli forces could “go back in as soon as I say the word” if Hamas doesn’t comply with the terms of the ceasefire. He has appointed himself arbiter of Hamas’s compliance. And Trump has threatened to disarm Hamas “violently” if Hamas refuses to disarm “in a reasonable period of time.”
In the meantime, “nothing has changed in the dehumanization and the attitude of this particular Israeli government and its belief that it has the power to wipe out Palestine as a nation, as a people and as a country,” Israeli historian Ilan Pappé said on Democracy Now!
On Tuesday, several U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations said that approximately $70 billion will be needed to reconstruct Gaza.
Over the past two years, millions of people around the world have taken to the streets in solidarity with the Palestinians. The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement has gone mainstream.
Calls for states to implement arms embargoes will persist, as well as demands for legal accountability for Israeli and U.S. leaders, including Donald Trump, for enabling Israel’s horrific campaign of genocide.
Marjorie Cohn is professor emerita at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, dean of the People’s Academy of International Law and past president of the National Lawyers Guild. She sits on the national advisory boards of Veterans For Peace and Assange Defense, and is a member of the bureau of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers and the U.S. representative to the continental advisory council of the Association of American Jurists. Her books include Drones and Targeted Killing: Legal, Moral and Geopolitical Issues.
Views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Consortium News.
No doubt, “This is f/historic,” in Israel, “HealthCare is a right NOT a privilege.” Did you know, Israel rocks four (4) universal healthcare plans to choose fm! In Israel healthcare insurance is a right NOT a privilege!
1) Every resident of Israel is insured for healthcare under the National Health Insurance Law, through payment of monthly premiums to the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi). New Olim, Ktinim Chozrim and Ezrachim Olim are entitled to up to six months of free health insurance for the basic level of coverage, if they are not working;
2) Every resident can choose one of the four health plans (Clalit, Leumit, Maccabi and Meuhedet) regardless of age, pre-existing condition(s) or state of health. hxxps://www.nbn.org.il/life-in-israel/healthcare-in-israel/overview-of-israeli-healthcare-system/ (Last updated, June 17, 2025).
“We” got 535 Members in the US Congress & they’ve yet to draft a universal healthcare plan for the Divided $tates of Corporate America; they’ve only figured out how “WE” pay for Israelis’ healthcare i.e., $3-4 f/BILLION USD’s, every year, go out the front door to Israel. Who’s gonna f/this plan up for I$rael?!?
Miles fm the WH, the Knesset welcomes DJ “the Big $hot” Trump rock’n his schtick, Trump’s 21-Point Plan, G.I.G.O., “Garbage In. Garbage Out.” DJ “the Big $hot” Trump’s Point 21, “I have an idea, why don’t you give Netanyahu a pardon?” Trump says. “Who cares about cigars and champagne?” Trump calls on Herzog to pardon Netanyahu for corruption charges. BB’s “currently on trial on 1) Corruption Charges, 2) Stands accused of fraud & breach of trust over a scandal involving the acceptance of luxury gifts.” hxxps://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/in-knesset-speech-trump-calls-on-herzog-to-pardon-netanyahu-for-corruption-charges/
No f/doubt, Trump’s 20-Point “PIECE” Plan is G.I.G.O., @ work. IMO, home-grown “White Noise.” It just repeats itself w/equal intensity at all frequencies. Used in certain experiments as in psychology to prevent subject fm hearing meaningful sounds,” i.e.,“Far from constituting a peace plan, it is a blueprint to continue Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territory and deny the Palestinian people their lawful right to self-determination.” Marjorie Cohn. TY!!!
“What Happens Next?” Imo, s.o.s., deception, destruction, death; AND, “the power to remove the POTUS lies with Congress. Impeachment, by the House of Representatives. Trial to Remove POTUS, by the Senate. That’ll never f/ever happen before 2025 is over.
“Don’t drink the WH’s orange juice. There’s blood in the OJ, “The Rafah border crossing between Gaza & Egypt remains closed to the entry of humanitarian aid. The Mediterranean Sea remains blockaded by Israel’s Iron Wall. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s years & years & years of humanitarian assistance is dismissed. Basically, “we are f/screwed!!!”
“EVERYTHING!” Plant, Animal & Human life has been beyond f/CHEAPENED!!! by Donald John Trump-Vance, Inc.
OCTOBER 17, 2025, “Trump Admits Complicity in Genocide.”
Damn, Gina! No offense, Madam Cohn, but w/“Credentials” up the wazoo & leading the Divided $tates of Corporate America’s lawyers, attorneys, counselors, 1000’s of ‘em, for years; and, the take-away is, “WE” can “H.O.P.E.,” Hell On POTUS’ Earth, the International Criminal Court does something about it?!?
“Madam, Marjorie Cohn, “you can’t be serious!!!” But, inphkndeed Madam Cohn IS; otherwise, she’d say so. Right?!?
… “According to the Rome Statute, the ICC has authority to prosecute genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes of aggression. It claims “automatic jurisdiction,” meaning that it can prosecute individuals even if their own governments have not recognized, signed, or ratified the treaty.”
NOVEMBER, 2017, John R. Bolton SHUTTERED the International Criminal Court!!! “Eight years ago, in November of 2017, the International Criminal Court or I.C.C.; &, the ICC Prosecutor requested authorization to investigate alleged war crimes committed by U.S. service members and intelligence professionals during the war in Afghanistan, an investigation neither Afghanistan nor any other State Party to the Rome Statute requested. [ANY DAY NOW], the ICC may announce the start of a formal investigation against these American patriots, who voluntarily went into harm’s way to protect our nation, our homes, and our families in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.”
“Nine. One. One.” (911) “What’s your emergency?”
“The ICC Prosecutor has requested to investigate these Americans for alleged detainee abuse, and perhaps more—an utterly unfounded, unjustifiable investigation. Today, on the eve of September 11th, 2018, I want to deliver a clear and unambiguous message on behalf of the President of the United States. The United States will use any means necessary to protect our citizens and those of our allies from unjust prosecution by this illegitimate court.
We will not cooperate with the ICC. We will provide no assistance to the ICC. We will not join the ICC. We will let the ICC die on its own. After all, for all intents and purposes, the ICC is already dead to us.” John R. Bolton, SEPTEMBER 10, 2018 @ hxxps://www.justsecurity.org/60674/national-security-adviser-john-bolton-remarks-international-criminal-court/
Eight (8) years later, DJ “the Big $hot” Trump’s US Atty. General has indicted John “Rabid, Right-Wing, Rat-Ba$tard,” Bolton, “18 criminal charges that accuse him of mishandling classified materials.” S.O.S., Jo$eph Biden, “bank’n on book $ales.” The difference, the medicated corpse, #46, posing as POTUS, masquerading as human, will never f/ever “Survive” a trial. So, “out the door he went,” back to REHABoth, for f/ever!!! Biden-Harris living “FREE” fm accountabilty, for poke’n the Russian Bear, executing war in Ukraine & a genocide in Gaza. Biden-Harris rock an alternate state of consciousness. Safe in their gated community. “We” the people have been f/smoked!!!
Biden and Blinken enabled the genocide for 15 months, with the occasional crocodile tears while cracking down on University Presidents and their protesting students, and delivering Syria to Israel/ ISIS just before leaving office. Remember Netanyahu’s 20+ standing ovations in Congress during the summer of 2024?
Trump and HIS Zionists have continued the exact same policy for 9 months, while jabbering bigly about Peace in the MidEast. There is no difference in supporting the Genocide by the UniParty. It’s not a Republican vs Democrat issue. It’s a continuing Israel First issue.
Let’s be clear. Trump wants to murder people but until recently has had to hedge around the issue. With a hold on the Presidency and an army of sycophants he is now free to invent reasons to exercise his passion for violence. Kill Venezuelans in boats on the specious ground that they are attacking Americans with drug imports. Murder Palestinians because they have displeased a friend of his, Pres. Netanyahu, and refused to die in submission to 3,000 year old Jewish scripture that openly declares them to be disposable human beings.
In 1989 Trump called for the death penalty for five teenagers convicted of rape who were later exonerated. He never apologized. In 2024, at a Pennsylvania campaign rally, he suggested that US crime could be eradicated by an officially sanctioned day of legal murder – “one really violent day” when criminals could be killed with impunity.
Trump is not just a malignant narcissist as the psychologists claim but a dangerous sociopath.
Wow, did he actually say that he is a genocider? I bet that made his MAGA happy and all Right and Center Right darlings proud as punch.
In so many words, yes. Its in the article. Its not like this was in doubt, and he’s bragged about ordering the murders of at least 17 people in and around Venezuelan waters.
So if Bibi knew this December 7th type plan by Hamas was going to happen on October 7th and did nothing to stop it?
Does that make him complicit in the murders of Israelis?
Of course it does. They also knowingly and with malice aforethought killed “hostages” held by the Resistance in Gaza.
Two birds of a feather; Trump will do the same to us if he isn’t stopped. He’s already begun his starvation campaign by cutting Americans off food aid and by sending ICE and national guard to our cities.
Paula McMinn, nice to see someone who gets it!
He does not care what anyone thinks he intends to continue to do just what he has been saying and doing. Plus every dogdamned idea he and little stevie can come up with.
This is all on the republicans for not representing anyone or anything but the trump brand. It’s all about when payback time comes around now!
No, it’s in the Dems too. They support the Genocide and the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine (enthusiastically so). What do the D3ms actually stand for? They chose to lose the election to Trump by not condemning the Genocide, and the moral catastrophe of our health care system gets little or no notice from them. Dont think the Dems are down with most of Trump’s illegality? Wait till the Venezuela war to overthrow the democratically elected Maduro is started, and watch as virtually every Dem sides with Trump on that crime.
“From above, Gaza is like the aftermath of an apocalypse” Guardian headline (6 August 2025).
I read that and thought no, it is not. It is the aftermath of an apocalypse.
It reminded me of how the BBC had routinely described waterboarding as ‘simulated drowning’.
So what!
Is the man ever held to account for any of the evils he commits, especially not now that this malignant narcissist is the President of the most powerful, lawless nation on the face of the planet.
And what an eloquent mass murderer he is.