Sarah Sheline, a former State Department foreign affairs officer, resigned from her position in protest of what she viewed as the United States’ inadequate response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. Sheline, who joined the State Department as part of an Arabic language fellowship connected to her PhD program, found her job to be “almost impossible” due to the US government’s support of Israel. She attempted to raise her concerns internally through dissent cables and discussions with supervisors, but felt that she was unable to make any meaningful impact on policy.
Despite acknowledging a diversity of internal views on the war in Gaza, State Department Spokesperson Matt Miller stated that ultimately, decisions regarding US policy towards Israel lie with President Biden and senior administration leaders. Sheline’s resignation comes amidst a growing trend of US officials leaving their positions over concerns regarding US support for Israel. Josh Paul, a veteran State Department official, also resigned citing the “blind support” of the US for Israel.
A recent Gallup poll indicated a shift in American public opinion towards Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with a majority of respondents expressing disapproval. The poll, conducted in March, found that 55% of respondents disapproved of Israel’s actions, compared to 45% in November. This shift may have influenced the UN Security Council’s decision to pass a resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza during the month of Ramadan, which ends on April 9. The US allowed the resolution to pass, signaling a change in approach towards the conflict.
Sheline voiced concerns that upholding the rule of law had become a political consideration for the US administration, which was elected on a promise to reestablish US leadership on issues such as human rights, international institutions, and climate change. She criticized the administration for prioritizing unconditional support for Israel and providing weapons over other significant global issues. Sheline’s resignation highlights the growing tensions within the US government over its relationship with Israel and its policies towards the conflict in Gaza.
Sheline’s decision to leave her position underscores the challenges faced by US officials who are critical of US policy towards Israel. Despite efforts to raise internal concerns and engage in discussions with supervisors, Sheline felt that she was unable to affect any meaningful change from within the State Department. Her resignation reflects a broader trend of US officials expressing dissatisfaction with US support for Israel, as seen in the recent resignations of other State Department officials. The shift in American public opinion towards disapproval of Israel’s actions in Gaza may lead to changes in US policy towards the conflict.
As the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, Sheline’s resignation serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by US officials involved in shaping foreign policy decisions. The growing dissent within the State Department over US support for Israel highlights a broader debate within the US government and the American public regarding the country’s role in the conflict. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to calls for a reevaluation of US policy towards Israel and the conflict in Gaza.
