Biden appoints aid facilitator to lead 'Israel' policy at State Dept.
4 Min Read
Mira Resnick succeeds Andrew Miller, who left the State Department this summer and was wary of Biden's support for Benjamin Netanyahu.
-
An image of Mira Resnick, who oversees the bureau's Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers (US State Department)
The Biden administration appointed Mira Resnick, a key figure in weapons transfers to "Israel", to a new position at the State Department focused on shaping policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, according to two sources familiar with the appointment, the HuffPost reported.
This move surprised some foreign policy experts and raised concerns among critics of President Joe Biden’s strong support for "Israel’s" ongoing war on Gaza.
Resnick previously worked in the State Department’s Political-Military Affairs bureau, which has authorized billions in arms shipments to "Israel", sparking criticism from lawmakers and human rights advocates who are concerned about the bloody massacres of civilians in the Strip and US weapons violations of international law.
Annelle Sheline, a former State Department official who resigned in protest of Biden’s stance earlier this year, expressed that “assigning [Resnick] ...reflects a doubling down on the administration’s determination to continue to provide unconditional material support for Israel’s genocidal campaign against civilians in Gaza."
Resnick succeeds Andrew Miller, who left the State Department this summer and was known by fellow US officials to be wary of Biden's unwavering support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
According to Sheline, “Miller was known as someone who understood the nuances of the situation and did his best to try to push back on the administration’s determination to facilitate genocide. Whereas DAS Resnick will eagerly support it,”
Resnick formerly worked on Capitol Hill, and a source familiar with her work told HuffPost that she helped privately justify weapons transfers to "Israel" during the war to legislators and congressional staffers.
Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar criticized US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday for his "humiliation" during his recent trip to "Israel", as he failed to negotiate a breakthrough for a ceasefire.
Omar further questioned how the US is not "ashamed" at the humiliation of having Blinken say a ceasefire is near and then "leave for Egypt, only for Bibi Netanyahu to have a press conference right after him and say we are not taking a deal?"
Harris vows to fight Trump-like tyranny, protect 'Israel'
Vice President Kamala Harris declared her acceptance of the Democratic candidacy for president on Thursday on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, calling for an end to the war on Gaza and the battle against "tyranny" everywhere.
"In the enduring struggle between democracy and tyranny, I know where I stand and I know where the United States belongs," Harris said, accusing Trump of bowing down to "dictators".
As she and Trump approach the last 11 weeks of the tense campaign, Harris made a vow to map out a "New Way Forward" on the last and most anticipated night of the four-day Chicago convention.
Following many protests by pro-Palestine supporters dissatisfied with the DNC disallowing pro-Palestine speakers at the convention, Harris committed to protecting "Israel", releasing the captives from Gaza, and putting an end to the war.
"Now is the time to get a hostage deal and a ceasefire deal done," she told the crowd, adding, "And let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel's right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself."
"What has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost, desperate hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking."
"President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination," she further claimed.
