A leaked memo issued by State Department personnel contained harsh criticism of the administration’s Israel policy. One point of contention is the fact that the U.S. is not being more vocal in publicly criticizing Israel’s approach. The memo was marked as “sensitive but unclassified,” indicating that those behind it were likely hoping it would leak so their feelings would be known.
It states that the difference between what Biden officials say in private and their public remarks "contributes to regional public perceptions that the United States is a biased and dishonest actor, which at best does not advance, and at worst harms, U.S. interests worldwide."
The memo added that Israel should be criticized publicly for not limiting its operations to military targets. It said: "When Israel supports settler violence and illegal land seizures or employs excessive use of force against Palestinians, we must communicate publicly that this goes against our American values so that Israel does not act with impunity."
Senior White House staffers say they "cannot stomach defending" what is going on
CNN, which generally supports Biden, issued an investigative report that quotes senior staffers at the White House expressing that they “cannot stomach defending” Israel’s actions. One senior official for the Biden administration said: “It has created great moral anxiety. But no one can say it because we all work at the pleasure of the president and he’s all in.”
It notes that many insiders are “distraught” by the numerous images being shared of civilians in Gaza being killed by Israeli airstrikes.
After mentioning the extreme backlash in the State Department, which prompted one official to resign, the report added: "Elsewhere in the administration, officials are quietly fuming as the civilian death toll mounts."
CNN also reported that the Biden administration has been receiving stern warnings from diplomats that its unwavering support for Israel’s military campaign in the Gaza Strip is sparking deep fury against America in Arab nations.
Meanwhile, hundreds of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) staffers have signed a letter criticizing the White House for failing to hold Israel accountable for its international law violations and the civilian casualties it is causing. They were also angry that the U.S. vetoed a recent resolution by the UN Security Council seeking a pause in the fighting so humanitarian aid can enter Gaza.
On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued one of his harshest condemnations to date of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Speaking in India, he said that “there is more that can and should be done to minimize harm to Palestinian civilians."
"Far too many Palestinians have been killed. Far too many have suffered these past weeks,” he added. He said the U.S. is working toward helping more humanitarian aid flow into the besieged Gaza Strip while continuing to focus on securing the release of the 240-plus hostages Hamas is holding there.
He added that there has been some progress when it comes to setting “basic principles” for peace in Gaza after the war.
Unfortunately, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens and the world grows increasingly angry over the horrific conditions people are experiencing there, dissent within the administration will only continue to grow if Biden remains steadfast in his unconditional support for Israel.
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