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Biden Admin faces internal dissent on 'Israel's' genocide in Gaza: NBC

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: NBC News
  • 30 Nov 2023 23:59
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The scope of internal dissent has been described as "extraordinary" by observers.

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  • President Joe Biden pauses while speaking as he meets with Angola's President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco in the Oval office of the White House, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP)
    President Joe Biden pauses while speaking as he meets with Angola's President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Washington (AP)

The Biden administration is grappling with internal dissent over its support for "Israel's" genocidal operations in Gaza, revealing a deeper debate and a generational divide among Democrats, an op-ed by Abigail Williams and Dan De Luce for NBC News detailed on Thursday.

This dissent, which includes open letters from government employees, objections from foreign service officers at the State Department, and criticism from US Agency for International Development (USAID) employees, is broader and more pronounced than seen in previous administrations.

"It’s remarkable and it’s unprecedented," said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank who worked at the State Department from 1978 to 2003. "I’ve never seen anything like it."

This comes in response to "Israel's" air and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip following a surprise operation by the Palestinian Resistance on October 7. The heavy bombardment of Gaza by "Israel" has drawn criticism from humanitarian organizations, and Biden's backing of the Israeli response has dismayed many officials within the federal government. The administration is now navigating its own internal version of the war on Gaza.

Hundreds of federal government employees, including diplomats, have signed an open letter to President Biden, demanding that his administration push for a ceasefire to protect the lives of Palestinian civilians. Foreign service officers at the State Department have expressed objections through official dissent cables, and hundreds of USAID employees have signed a letter critical of the administration's approach.

On Capitol Hill, there have been protests and signed letters from hundreds of staff members urging a ceasefire and questioning what they perceive as a US "blank check" for "Israel". The dissent is not limited to within government agencies, as a new NBC News poll indicates that 70% of Democratic voters aged 18 to 34 disapprove of Biden's handling of the conflict.

Read more: Gallup poll shows split opinion in US regarding Israeli war on Gaza

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Gaza MoH confirms over 69,000 Palestinians killed

Jewish figures call for sanctions on 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

While the dissent within the State Department has not led to mass resignations, there is a sentiment, transcending age, race, and gender, that the Biden administration's approach to the conflict should be "more balanced."

Some officials believe that "Israel" should not act with "impunity," and there is growing support for conditioning US aid to "Israel" based on its actions, especially considering the high civilian death toll in Gaza.

In the Middle East, US diplomats are receiving warnings from their counterparts that America's reputation is being seriously damaged by its approach to the war. This dissent reflects a progressive view among younger employees, including those in US intelligence agencies, who question traditional US support for "Israel."

The administration now faces pressure from Democrats in Congress to take a more critical stance towards "Israel." The CIA has reminded its staff to keep social media posts strictly apolitical and nonpartisan, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue within the government.

Biden initially rejected calls for a ceasefire but adjusted the language as the Israeli aggression continued and the civilian casualty toll in Gaza rose. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged "Israel" to do more to safeguard Palestinian civilians, acknowledging that too many Palestinians had been killed. While there is acknowledgment of the humanitarian impact, it remains unclear whether the internal criticism will lead to a major change in the administration's stance.

Read more: State Dept officials criticize Biden's Middle East policy: Politico

Despite the dissent, the administration emphasizes its efforts to get more humanitarian aid into Gaza and points to an ongoing pause in fighting as evidence that diplomatic efforts have facilitated the release of captives held by the Palestinian resistance and allowed more humanitarian aid to reach the population in Gaza.

Only one employee at the State Department has publicly resigned over the issue, citing concerns about providing weapons to "Israel" without stricter conditions. The dissent channel, a mechanism for diplomats to express disagreement with policies, has been used, but details are strictly confidential. The American Foreign Service Association, the union for the State Department's diplomatic corps, is heartened by the administration's response to internal dissent, suggesting that it has had an impact on the president's evolving statements.

  • genocide in Gaza
  • Biden administration
  • war on Gaza
  • Israeli aggression
  • Israel

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