Officials Demand Cease-Fire, Rebel Against Biden, and Blast Misinformation: State Department Faces Dissent in Israel-Gaza Conflict
Over 500 U.S. officials, including political appointees and staffers from 40 government agencies, have signed a letter calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, criticizing President Biden's policy and revealing a divide within his administration. The signatories, many of whom are in their 20s and 30s, remain anonymous due to concerns about job security and personal safety. The letter urges Biden to demand a cease-fire, de-escalation, and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This dissent follows calls for a cease-fire from progressive members of Congress and previous dissent memos from State Department employees and USAID staff. A poll shows that a majority of Democrats, independents, and even some Republicans support a cease-fire, while another poll indicates that most Americans sympathize with Israel over the Palestinians. The White House responded by highlighting a different letter from 127 former Obama and Biden administration officials who support Biden's actions and Israel's stance in the conflict.