State Department Staff Express Dissent Over Israel-Gaza Policy
- Eight internal dissent memos were issued by State Department staff in response to the Gaza war, marking a significant increase compared to the single memo during the first three years of the Iraq War.
- The dissent reflects growing concerns among U.S. diplomats regarding the government's stance and actions in the ongoing conflict.
- This situation highlights a potential division within the State Department on how to address international crises.
In a significant display of internal dissent, State Department staff have submitted at least nine memos opposing U.S. policy on Israel and Gaza since the onset of the conflict. The dissent began with eight memos in the first two months of the war, followed by an additional memo from the U.S. embassy in Jordan, which warned of escalating regional instability due to Israel's military actions. This unprecedented number of dissent memos underscores a growing discontent within the department regarding the Biden administration's support for Israel. Josh Paul, a former State Department official who resigned in protest over U.S. support for the war, noted that the volume of dissent is the highest he has seen in recent memory. He emphasized that these memos, which are confidential and typically not shared publicly, reflect a significant disconnect between the analysis and policy recommendations of State Department personnel and the decisions made by the White House. The dissenting voices within the department are further amplified by a leaked memo signed by 100 State Department and USAID employees, calling for a reassessment of U.S. policy and a ceasefire in Gaza. This comes amid international outrage over Israel's military actions, including a recent attack on an aid convoy that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the emotional toll the crisis has taken on staff, indicating a recognition of the profound impact of the ongoing conflict on those within the department.