Lily Greenberg Call, a Jewish-American political appointee in the Biden administration, recently resigned in opposition to the president’s policies in Israel. In a letter to Department of the Interior Sec. Deb Haaland, Call expressed her belief that President Biden’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza is tantamount to genocide. She cited her previous commitment to fighting for a better America, but said she could no longer represent an administration that continued to support what she viewed as unjust and unsafe policies. Call also criticized the portrayal of Jews as the face of the American war machine, stating that this made them less safe and jeopardized both communities. She called on President Biden to hold Israel accountable for its actions, arguing that he has the power to call for a ceasefire, stop sending weapons to Israel, and condition aid.
In her resignation letter, Call shared her personal connection to the Jewish community, noting that her family had escaped antisemitic persecution in Europe and found refuge in America. She emphasized the importance of using power to stop crimes against humanity, questioning the point of having power if it is not used for this purpose. Call accused President Biden of failing to hold Israel accountable for its actions, stating that the United States has provided little leverage to address the situation and has even enabled and legitimized Israel’s actions through vetoes at the UN. She concluded by accusing President Biden of having “the blood of innocent people on his hands” as a result of his support for Israel.
Israel has long been a topic of contention within the Democratic Party, with a growing number of lawmakers expressing concerns about the country’s actions in response to Hamas attacks. Call’s resignation marks the fifth official to step down in protest since the October 7 attack, according to reports. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter. The situation in Israel continues to be politically fraught, with differing opinions on how to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The resignation of Call highlights the complexities of navigating the relationship between the United States and Israel, as well as the internal divisions within the Democratic Party on this issue. It also raises questions about the extent of U.S. support for Israel and the impact of this support on global perceptions of American foreign policy. The debate over Israel’s actions in Gaza underscores the challenges of balancing national security interests with humanitarian concerns and the importance of holding all parties accountable for their actions.
As the Biden administration grapples with these complexities, the resignation of Call serves as a powerful reminder of the moral and ethical considerations at play in U.S. foreign policy decisions. It also underscores the need for thoughtful and principled leadership in addressing complex geopolitical challenges, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The resignation of Call and other officials in protest against U.S. support for Israel’s actions in Gaza raises important questions about the role of American power and influence in promoting peace, justice, and stability in the region.
