A high-level Biden appointee, Lily Greenberg Call, announced her resignation from the Interior Department in protest of the administration’s Gaza policy, citing the U.S. support for Israel’s military offensive that has devastated the Palestinian enclave. Call criticized President Biden for his lack of condemnation and stated that she could no longer represent the administration in good conscience. She had joined the Biden Administration to fight for a better America but felt compelled to resign due to the ongoing support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Call, who was raised in Jewish communities in the U.S., Israel, and occupied Palestine, expressed her concern over the rising antisemitism and the collective punishment of innocent Palestinians through displacement, famine, and ethnic cleansing. She emphasized the importance of standing up for those facing violence and oppression and questioning authority in the face of injustice. Call appears to be the first Jewish American appointee of the Biden administration to resign in protest of U.S. policy on Gaza, highlighting her commitment to upholding Jewish values of valuing every life.
Since Oct. 7, Israeli forces have killed over 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, including about 15,000 children, and displaced most of the population while destroying vital infrastructure. The U.S. has provided nearly unconditional diplomatic and military support to Israel during this offensive, leading to criticism from within the administration. Call accused President Biden of having innocent blood on his hands due to his administration’s enabling and legitimizing of Israel’s actions in Gaza through vetoes of UN resolutions to hold Israel accountable.
Call’s resignation coincided with the anniversary of the Nakba, the catastrophic event for Palestinians when their land was destroyed, pointing to ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians from Israel. Her departure follows a U.S. Army officer’s public resignation over the government’s support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. The Biden administration faced backlash for its report acknowledging Israel’s violations of international law but still continuing military support for Israel. Despite the criticism, the administration plans to send over $1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, exacerbating the situation.
Call emphasized that the current status quo of apartheid and occupation in Israel does not ensure the safety of Israelis, Jews around the world, or protect Palestinians’ right to freedom, safety, self-determination, and dignity. She condemned any system that requires the subjugation of one group over another and highlighted the need for Americans to be more aware of the critical issue of Gaza and its impact on both Jewish and Palestinian communities. Call stressed that Jewish safety should not come at the expense of Palestinian freedom and that making Jews the face of the American war machine is politically disastrous and devastating to both communities.
