State Department Official Resigns Over Biden Administration’s Handling of Israel-Gaza Conflict
In a surprising turn of events, Josh Paul, a State Department official responsible for arms transfers to foreign powers, resigned on Wednesday due to his disagreement with the Biden administration’s approach to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza. Paul expressed his inability to support further U.S. military assistance to Israel and criticized the administration’s response as “an impulsive reaction” based on “intellectual bankruptcy.”
As the director of congressional and public affairs at the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Paul’s departure highlights a rare internal dissatisfaction with the administration’s unwavering support for Israel, a vital ally in the Middle East. It also marks an unusual display of dissent within President Biden’s foreign policy apparatus, which has previously aimed to prevent such frustrations from becoming public.
With over 11 years of experience in coordinating relations with Congress and public messaging for the office dealing with military aid, Paul stated that he could not justify remaining in a position that he believed contributed to the deaths of Palestinian civilians.
Expressing his concerns, Paul stated, “Let’s absolutely note the horror of what Hamas did, and the scale of it. And therefore I fear the scale of the potential Israeli response or ongoing Israeli response. I recognize the Israeli government’s right to respond and to defend themselves. I guess I question how many Palestinian children have to die in that process.”
Paul further criticized the extensive U.S. military assistance to Israel, arguing that it effectively provided the country with a green light to act without regard to the civilian toll. The Israeli government’s declared intention to dismantle Hamas and the displacement of residents in Gaza City and northern Gaza have raised alarms among U.N. observers, who warn of an impending humanitarian disaster.
While the State Department declined to comment on Paul’s resignation, citing its policy on discussing personnel matters, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been working to garner regional support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging the country to prioritize humanitarian concerns in Gaza. During his visit to Israel, President Biden assured the nation of the United States’ support but also emphasized the need to distinguish between Palestinians and Hamas to minimize civilian casualties.
Reflecting on his decision to resign, Paul admitted encountering previous dilemmas in his work on military assistance but always believed he could influence outcomes positively. However, in this case, he felt powerless to shape the decision-making process, leaving him with no option but to step down. He emphasized the lack of space for substantive dissent and the accumulation of disagreements as the main factors behind his resignation.
Notably, Paul’s academic background and career have revolved around Israel and the Palestinian territories. He wrote his master’s thesis on Israeli counterterrorism and civil rights, and he worked on security sector governance with the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, West Bank. In his resignation letter, he acknowledged his “deep personal ties to both sides of the conflict.”
Having spent the previous week on a preplanned leave, Paul stated that the time away allowed him to observe the situation from an outside perspective and make his decision. Following his public announcement of resignation on LinkedIn, he has received numerous expressions of support from colleagues at the State Department.
Paul’s resignation sheds light on the complexities surrounding the United States’ involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict and the divergent views within the foreign policy establishment. It remains to be seen how his departure will impact future decisions regarding arms transfers and the overall approach of the Biden administration towards the region.