What's happened
State Department employees express dissent over the Biden administration's policy on Israel and the war in Gaza
Why it matters
The dissent within the State Department highlights the ongoing debate and division within the Biden administration over its support for Israel and the handling of the conflict in Gaza. It underscores the significance of the issue and the need for the administration to address the concerns raised by its own employees.
What the papers say
The New York Times emphasizes the growing internal dissent within the Biden administration, with political appointees and staff members from various government agencies sending letters and memos protesting the administration's support of Israel in the war. The memo calls for an immediate cease-fire and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The NY Post highlights a scathing internal dissent memo signed by 100 State Department and USAID employees, criticizing President Biden's stance on the conflict and accusing him of spreading misinformation. The memo calls for a reassessment of the policy toward Israel and a demand for a cease-fire in Gaza. Gulf News reports on Secretary of State Antony Blinken's acknowledgment of the dissent within the State Department and his assurance that the administration is listening to those who disagree with their approach. The article also mentions the use of the State Department's dissent channel to file cables expressing disagreements with official US policy.
How we got here
The conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has been ongoing, with a high civilian death toll. The Biden administration has faced criticism for its support of Israel and its handling of the conflict. This dissent within the State Department is part of a broader debate within the administration over its approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The United States Department of State, commonly referred to as the State Department, is a federal executive department responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy and international relations.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Antony John Blinken is an American government official who served as United States Deputy Secretary of State from 2015 to 2017 and Deputy National Security Advisor from 2013 to 2015 under President Barack Obama.