President Biden is facing increasing pressure from within his own administration to alter U.S. policy regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. A dozen U.S. officials have resigned in protest of the Biden administration's handling of the situation, citing concerns about adherence to U.S. laws and a disconnect between their agency's stance and that of humanitarian organizations.
Some former officials, like Stacey Gilbert and Alex Smith, have left their government positions and are now exploring ways to use their voices effectively from outside the system. Gilbert, who worked at the State Department for over 20 years, turned to a group of like-minded individuals when considering resignation and now aims to support others fighting for policy change from within.
These former officials are considering public events and statements to shed light on the realities they witnessed. Gilbert's resignation was prompted by a discrepancy in a report from her office, which found Israel obstructing humanitarian aid to Gaza, only for the final version to absolve Israel of blame. This has raised concerns about the U.S. government's credibility globally.
While the State Department stands by its report, Gilbert and others argue that conditions in Gaza are perilous and humanitarian organizations are capable of providing aid if allowed. Despite internal frustrations, many colleagues within the Biden administration are advocating for policy changes as the death toll of innocent Palestinians rises.
Former officials anticipate continued resignations and dissent from within the administration. They believe that significant pressure, such as cutting off U.S. weaponry to Israel, would be necessary to address mounting dissent effectively. The hope is that President Biden's efforts to push for a ceasefire agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may alleviate some of the frustration.
