Nine US Officials step down over Biden’s support for Israel’s atrocities in Gaza

President Joe Biden’s steadfast support for Israel during its nearly nine-month war in Gaza has prompted at least nine US administration officials to resign. Some have accused the president of ignoring Israeli atrocities in the Palestinian enclave, though the Biden administration insists it has criticized civilian casualties and increased humanitarian aid efforts. Nearly 38,000 people have reportedly been killed in Gaza during Israel’s offensive, which began after Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Maryam Hassanein: A special assistant at the Department of Interior, resigned on Tuesday, condemning Biden’s foreign policy as “genocide-enabling” and dehumanizing Arabs and Muslims.

Stacy Gilbert: Formerly with the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, left in late May, citing a false report to Congress claiming Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Alexander Smith: A USAID contractor, resigned in late May after his presentation on Palestinian maternal and child mortality was canceled, which he viewed as censorship. USAID claimed it had not undergone proper review.

Lily Greenberg Call: The first Jewish political appointee to resign in May, was a special assistant to the chief of staff in the Interior Department. She stated, “As a Jew, I cannot endorse the Gaza catastrophe.”

Hala Rharrit: An Arabic language spokesperson for the State Department, left in April, criticizing US Gaza policy on her LinkedIn page.

Annelle Sheline: Resigned from the State Department’s human rights bureau in late March, stating she could not serve a government that “enables such atrocities.”

Tariq Habash: A Palestinian American and special assistant in the Education Department’s planning office, resigned in January, accusing the administration of turning a “blind eye” to Gaza’s atrocities.

Harrison Mann: A US Army major and Defense Intelligence Agency official, resigned in November over Gaza policy, publicly sharing his reasons in May.

Josh Paul: Director of the State Department’s bureau of political military affairs, was the first publicly known resignation in October, criticizing Washington’s “blind support” for Israel.

The Biden administration maintains its stance, highlighting its criticism of civilian casualties and efforts to boost humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, the resignations underscore significant dissent within the administration regarding US policy on the conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• Nine US officials resigned over Biden’s policy on Gaza conflict.
• Resignations cite perceived support for Israeli atrocities in Gaza.
• Administration insists it criticized civilian casualties and increased aid.
• Officials expressed moral and ethical conflicts with current policies.
• The Gaza conflict has seen significant casualties and humanitarian crises.