The recent resignation of Hala Rharrit, the Arabic language spokesperson of the US State Department, has brought attention to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Biden administration’s stance on the issue. Rharrit, a Palestinian-American, cited her opposition to the United States’ Gaza policy as the reason for her resignation after 18 years of service.
This marks the third resignation from the State Department since the conflict in Gaza began, following Annelle Sheline and Josh Paul, who also stepped down in protest over the administration’s support for Israel. Sheline, a foreign affairs officer, expressed that the support for Israel made her job promoting human rights “almost impossible,” while Paul, a former director overseeing US arms transfers, criticized the supply of arms to Israel as “destructive” and “unjust.”
The resignations highlight the internal dissent within the Biden administration regarding its policy towards the conflict in Gaza. Despite international criticism of Israel’s offensive, which has resulted in the deaths of over 34,300 people and widespread destruction in Gaza, the US has continued to provide weapons to its ally. Reports indicate that the White House is considering an additional $1 billion weapons deal with Israel.
In response to the conflict, the US Senate recently passed an aid bill providing $26 billion in aid for Israel and Palestine, with a significant portion allocated for Israel’s missile defense system and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza. This decision has sparked further internal dissent within the administration, with reports of cables being filed through the State Department’s internal “dissent channel.”
The conflict in Gaza has also led to widespread anti-war demonstrations across the United States, with student-led protests gaining momentum on university campuses. Protesters have called for divestment from companies involved in Israel’s occupation of Palestinian land and have condemned the violence in Gaza as “genocide.”
The resignations of Rharrit, Sheline, and Paul underscore the deep divisions within the US government over its policy towards the conflict in Gaza. As the death toll continues to rise and international pressure mounts, the Biden administration faces increasing scrutiny over its support for Israel and its handling of the crisis. The wave of resignations and protests signal a growing discontent with the current approach and a demand for a more balanced and just resolution to the conflict.