In a significant development, a memorandum signed by a hundred US government officials, including members of the State Department and the international development agency, has surfaced, criticizing the White House’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war. The internal memo, reportedly orchestrated by a “junior diplomat,” accuses President Joe Biden of neglecting Palestinian lives and a reluctance to de-escalate the conflict.
The document, obtained by Axios, explicitly points to Biden’s support for Israel and alleges a failure to address what it terms as Israeli “war crimes” in Gaza. The officials claim that the administration has maintained unwavering military assistance to Israel without establishing clear or actionable redlines.
Adding to the escalating dissent within the government, the memo asserts that actions by Israel, such as cutting off electricity and aid to Gaza, constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity under international law. The Gaza health ministry reports over 11,000 casualties, with approximately 40% being children, since the commencement of the Israeli offensive.
According to Axios, the memo, submitted through an approved channel known as “dissent cables,” reached the policy office of the State Department on November 3. This channel allows diplomats to express private concerns about official government policy without fear of reprisals, established in the aftermath of the Vietnam War for internal checks and balances.
This revelation follows a pattern of internal discord within the US government regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Last week, Politico disclosed contents of another dissent memo from State Department officials advocating for a US call for a ceasefire. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly met with disenchanted diplomats to hear their frustrations about official US policy on the war.
The latest dissent cable accuses the Biden administration of failing to reassess the US posture towards Israel despite the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It alleges a disregard for Palestinian lives, an unwillingness to de-escalate, and a lack of strategic foresight even before the October 7 Hamas attack.
Notably, the memo takes direct aim at President Biden, accusing him of disseminating misinformation. While specifics are not provided, Axios references a speech by the president three days after the initial Hamas attack, where he condemned the killings by the militant group as an “act of sheer evil.”
This internal critique reveals the deep-seated divisions within the US government over its handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict, raising questions about the administration’s strategy and its stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
