A group of US officials have publicly resigned over the Biden administration’s Gaza policy and have come together to support ongoing dissent and pressure the government to change course. More than half a dozen officials have left their jobs, with even more privately departing. President Biden has faced pressure over his support for Israel during the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has led to significant civilian casualties and extreme hunger. The former officials who resigned publicly cited the administration’s refusal to acknowledge the humanitarian toll caused by Israel’s military campaign and the damage to US credibility as key reasons for their actions.
The resigned officials, including Josh Paul, Harrison Mann, Tariq Habash, and others, expressed frustration at the lack of consideration for their perspectives, expertise, and concerns within the administration. They have banded together to provide support and advice to colleagues still working within the government who agree with their decision to leave or dissent from within. The collective resignation is meant to increase pressure on the administration to change its policies regarding Gaza. The group views their shared concern as an indicator that something is wrong with the current approach.
Concerns over the government’s handling of the conflict came to a head for some officials during the development of a report on Israel’s use of US weapons. Stacy Gilbert, a career diplomat with over two decades of experience, was working on the report but became alarmed when the findings did not align with expert opinions or reports from organizations on the ground. Gilbert resigned in protest, calling the report’s conclusions, particularly related to humanitarian aid, “appalling” and “political.” The departure of these officials has raised questions about the US government’s credibility in addressing the conflict.
While the Biden administration has emphasized respecting differences of opinion, the resignations demonstrate a significant level of dissent within the government over its Gaza policies. The officials who have left are in communication and are encouraging others to express their concerns through formal dissent channels within the State Department. Advice has been given to individuals who wish to voice opposition to policies in writing while ensuring compliance with international and US law. The former officials are also hoping to serve as a resource for those who are unable to publicly speak out due to job concerns.
Some officials who resigned publicly pointed to specific events during the conflict, such as the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, as catalysts for their decisions. Lily Greenberg Call, the first Jewish political appointee to resign, expressed disappointment in the administration’s response and a feeling of being ignored after sharing concerns. The collective resignation has not only served as a way to convey dissent but also as a means of support and guidance to others within the government who may be considering similar actions. The officials acknowledge the difficulty of publicly resigning in protest but stress the importance of speaking out when issues of integrity and conscience are at stake.
Overall, the resignations illustrate a growing dissent within the US government over its policies regarding the conflict in Gaza. The former officials who have left their positions are united in their commitment to advocating for change and holding the administration accountable for its actions. By articulating their concerns and providing support to colleagues, they aim to ensure that voices of opposition are heard within the government and that a reevaluation of current policies is conducted. The collective resignation represents a collective effort to address ethical and humanitarian concerns in US foreign policy.
