State Dept. memo accuses Biden, US policy of misinfo on Gaza: Axios

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Axios
13 Nov 2023 18:41
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The memo, written by Sylvia Yacoub, criticizes Biden for spreading misinformation in his speech supporting "Israel" and urges the US government to advocate for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli detention.

Palestinians look for survivors following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Palestine, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 ( AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

An internal dissent memo from the State Department obtained by Axios accuses President Biden of disseminating misinformation regarding the war on Gaza and asserts that "Israel" is clearly engaging in war crimes in Gaza.

The memo, organized by a junior diplomat named Sylvia Yacoub, reflects the deep divisions within the Biden administration concerning the war on Gaza, Axios says.

Sylvia Yacoub works for the State Department. She is, of course, absolutely right but her posting like this shows how @SecBlinken and #GenocideJoe are not listening to voices a lot wiser, more human, and smarter than them. pic.twitter.com/yq3yVnufy0
— Mitchell Plitnick 🔥🕎 (@MJPlitnick) November 4, 2023

Signed by 100 State Department and USAID employees, the memo urges a reevaluation of US policy toward "Israel" and demands a ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting the high number of Palestinian casualties, which the Gaza health ministry says has surpassed 11,000.

The memo aligns with sentiments expressed by progressive activists in the US critical of Biden's handling of the war, posing a new challenge for the President's 2024 campaign. It particularly criticizes Biden for spreading misinformation in his speech supporting "Israel" and urges the US government to advocate for the release of Palestinians held in Israeli detention.

The memo further underscores the need for the US to question "Israel's" war crimes in Gaza and specifically points to the US's continuous military support to "Israel" without establishing clear boundaries.

It also critiques US policy in the Middle East for failing to promote a viable two-state solution, expressing dissatisfaction with the White House and the National Security Council's handling of the conflict. Additionally, it criticizes Biden's questioning of the death toll in Gaza.

The memo's release raised questions about the extent of dissent within the State Department during the war on Gaza. This dissent channel allows diplomats to voice opposition to policies, though the memos are expected to remain internal.

State Department spokespersons have affirmed the importance of this channel for employees to express policy disagreements without fear of reprisal.

Recent reports suggest Blinken's efforts to negotiate humanitarian pauses in the conflict, aiming to provide aid to affected Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

The reality, however, is that the White House has been pushing to arm the Israeli regime.

Last week, a report by The Wall Street Journal revealed that the Biden administration is preparing a significant $320 million transfer of precision bombs for "Israel."

On October 31, the administration officially notified congressional leaders about the intended transfer of Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies, a category of precision-guided munitions launched by aircraft, as per documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

The US has been claiming for weeks that it is struggling to influence "Israel" in its genocidal campaign in Gaza.

But reports such as these suggest that the Biden administration is willingly committed to getting involved in the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.