President Joe Biden officials rebel against president on Israel-Hamas war, sign dissent letter. Four of anonymous Biden administration officials from 40 departments and agencies are demanding a cease-fire in Gaza. “We call on President Biden to urgently demand a cease-fire; and to call for de-escalation of the current conflict by securing the immediate release of the Israeli hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians; the restoration of water, fuel, electricity and other basic services; and the passage of adequate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip,” the letter reads, in part.
Quick Read
- Government Officials Oppose Biden’s Israel-Hamas War Approach: Four hundred officials from various U.S. departments and agencies have expressed opposition to President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
- Wide Range of Departments Involved: Signatories come from 40 departments, including the State Department, White House, National Security Council, and Justice Department.
- Anonymity of Signatories: The identities of the officials who signed the letter are kept anonymous to avoid professional retaliation.
- Letter’s Demands: The letter urges Biden to demand an immediate cease-fire, call for de-escalation, secure the release of Israeli hostages, ensure the return of basic services, and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
- Biden’s Stance on Cease-Fire: The administration has resisted calls for a cease-fire, arguing it could benefit Hamas. Instead, they advocate for humanitarian pauses, which Israel has accepted.
- No White House Response to Letter: The White House has not yet responded to the letter from the government officials.
- Macron’s Position on Cease-Fire: French President Emmanuel Macron is the only major Western leader to have called for a cease-fire, although he later reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense.
- Rebuke of Rep. Rashida Tlaib: Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Michigan, received a public rebuke from the House of Representatives due to her recent comments about Israel.
- Israeli Forces Surround Al-Shifa Hospital: As the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies, Israeli forces have surrounded Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip, the largest medical facility in the area.
- Israel’s Claim on Hamas Headquarters: Israel alleges that Hamas has established its headquarters beneath Al-Shifa Hospital.
- Internal Disagreement in Democratic Party: The letter reflects broader divisions within the Democratic Party on the Israel-Hamas conflict, with some members criticizing Israel’s actions.
The Associated Press has the story:
400 Biden admin officials sign dissent letter, demanding a cease-fire in Gaza
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
Four hundred government officials from 40 departments and agencies within President Biden’s administration signed a letter opposing the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war and demanded a cease-fire.
The Tuesday letter, first reported by the New York Times, includes officials from the State Department, White House, National Security Council and the Justice Department. The signatories of the letter remained anonymous to protect against professional retaliation.
“We call on President Biden to urgently demand a cease-fire; and to call for de-escalation of the current conflict by securing the immediate release of the Israeli hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians; the restoration of water, fuel, electricity and other basic services; and the passage of adequate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip,” the letter reads, in part.
Four hundred government officials from 40 departments and agencies within President Biden’s administration signed a letter opposing the president’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war and demanded a cease-fire.
Biden and other Western leaders have pushed back on calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, arguing it would only serve to benefit Hamas terrorists. Biden’s administration has instead pushed for humanitarian pauses in the fighting, which Israel has agreed to.
The White House has yet to respond to the letter.
So far, French President Emmanuel Macron is the only major Western leader to call on Israel to implement a cease-fire. He later clarified his remarks on Monday, however, saying he still believed Israel has a right to defend itself.
The disagreement within Biden’s administration mirrors friction within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Several radical progressives within Biden’s party have decried Israel as an “apartheid state” and argue the war in Gaza is a “genocide” against Palestinians.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., faced a public rebuke from the House of Representatives for her comments on Israel last week.
Israel’s war against Hamas is coming to a head this week as Israeli forces surround Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip. Israel says Hamas has entrenched its headquarters beneath the hospital.
