Activists decry Blinken’s CAP role, citing Gaza war complicity: RS

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Responsible Statecraft
Today 22:25

The former US Secretary of State's appointment to the Center for American Progress has drawn criticism from rights groups, who accuse him of enabling "Israel" in the war on Gaza.

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken bids farewell to diplomats and staff at the State Department in Washington, Friday, January 17, 2025 (AP)

The appointment of former US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to the board of the Center for American Progress (CAP), a leading Democratic think tank, has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups who accuse him of complicity in war crimes committed by "Israel" during the war on Gaza.

In an open letter shared with Responsible Statecraft, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) condemned Blinken’s appointment, accusing him of providing "Israel" with the “essential military, political and public support to ensure it could continue its atrocities” in Gaza.

“Mr. Blinken is not an appropriate choice to serve as a board member of an organization that aims to ‘promote peace and shared global prosperity’ in light of his well-documented role in aiding and abetting Israeli war crimes,” the letter stated.

DAWN’s advocacy director, Raed Jarrar, said Blinken’s appointment “damages the reputation” of CAP. “It’s truly shocking for a non-profit in Washington, DC to place someone like Blinken, with his shameful record, on their board of directors,” he said.

CAP has yet to respond publicly to the letter.

Divisions inside the Biden administration over 'Israel' policy

The backlash highlights divisions within the Democratic Party over US support for "Israel" during the war on Gaza. While some former Biden administration officials have distanced themselves from the policies pursued under their leadership, Blinken has continued to defend them.

Jon Finer and Philip Gordon, both senior national security officials under President Joe Biden, recently urged US President Donald Trump to restrict weapons transfers to "Israel". They argued that “maintaining unconditional US military support while Israel pursues the unachievable goal of ‘total victory’ is simply a recipe for further conflict and suffering.”

Blinken, however, has rejected such calls, often placing blame on Palestinian Resistance groups rather than on "Israel" for the ongoing war.

CAP’s leadership shift and pro-'Israel' influence

Blinken’s appointment also coincides with leadership changes at CAP. Current president Neera Tanden, a longtime Democratic operative, has previously faced criticism for her ties to pro-"Israel" lobbying groups.

During her earlier tenure as CAP president, Tanden was accused of preventing staff from criticizing "Israel" or even mentioning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The think tank’s news platform, ThinkProgress, was eventually shut down in 2019 amid internal disputes over its coverage of "Israel".

While former CAP president Patrick Gaspard strongly criticized Blinken’s certification that "Israel" was complying with US weapons laws, Tanden’s leadership may signal a shift toward accommodating pro-"Israel" positions. Blinken’s quiet addition to the CAP board last month reinforces concerns that dissenting views on Gaza and Iran will lose influence.

Implications for Democratic think tanks, US policy

Blinken’s appointment underscores the broader debate within Democratic-aligned think tanks over how to address US support for "Israel". Critics argue that his record during the war on Gaza makes him unfit to guide an organization that claims to promote peace and global prosperity.

As Democratic elites remain divided over the Biden administration’s legacy, Blinken’s role at CAP is likely to deepen tensions between progressive voices advocating accountability for "Israel" and establishment figures defending traditional US policy in the Middle East.