US diplomat resigns over disagreement with handling of Israel-Hamas conflict

According to CNN (USA) on October 20, Josh Paul, who worked at the US State Department's Political-Military Office for more than 11 years, said he resigned due to disagreement with the policy related to the US government's continued support of lethal weapons for Israel.

Mr. Paul made it clear that he did not support Hamas' attack on Israel, but said that the response that Israel is taking, along with the US support for Israel's response as well as for the current blockade, will only lead to tragedy for both Israelis and Palestinians and that is not in the long-term interests of the US.

“The reaction of the US administration and much of Congress is deeply disappointing and completely unsurprising,” Mr. Paul added. “Decades of the same approach have not led to security or peace. In fact, support for one side will in the long run harm the interests of people on both sides.”

In an interview with The New York Times, Mr. Paul said legal protections to prevent American weapons “from falling into the hands of human rights abusers are failing, because the United States supports Israel while it cuts off water, food, medical care and electricity in Gaza.”

For his part, State Department spokesman Matt Miller said the agency appreciates having different perspectives. “We understand and appreciate that different people who work in this department have different political beliefs, different personal views, different positions on US policy,” Miller said.

Regarding the specific criticism raised by Mr. Paul, the spokesperson affirmed: “President Biden has been very clear that we strongly support Israel's right to self-defense, we will continue to provide the security assistance they need to defend themselves, but the United States has also been very clear on this issue that we expect Israel to comply with all international laws when it comes to defending itself.”

US officials have repeatedly voiced support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas attacks and to do what it can to ensure that this never happens again. But the US Secretary of State said Israel must do so while taking every possible precaution to avoid harming civilians.

The US provides $3.8 billion in annual security assistance to Israel, and the Biden administration is poised to ask for additional security assistance.