Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The government of United States (US) President Joe Biden is currently divided into two, with internal differences of opinion emerging regarding Middle East policy, especially regarding Israel’s attacks on Palestine.
In a letter submitted to Biden and his cabinet on Tuesday (11/14/2023), more than 500 political officials and staff members from about 40 agencies across the government criticized the extent of the president’s support for Israel in the war in Gaza.
The letter condemned Hamas’ killing of 1,200 Israelis on October 7. But the letter also asks Biden to rein in Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where the death toll is now above 11,300.
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“We call on President Biden to immediately demand a ceasefire; and call for de-escalation of the current conflict by guaranteeing the immediate release of Israeli hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians; restoration of water, fuel, electricity and other basic services; and delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip,” the letter was quoted as saying New York Times.
The letter, whose signatories were not identified, shows growing unease among US officials about Biden’s policy in the first weeks of the war of emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself in public, while seeking to restrain its retaliation in private. Critics argue that this approach is ineffective.
More than 1,000 US Agency for International Development (USAID) staff also signed an open letter calling on the government to use its influence to limit the number of civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, a number of state department staff have proposed policy changes through the State Department’s official dissent channels, reportedly three times.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took these differences of opinion seriously. Officials said discussions have been encouraged at foreign missions around the world to solicit feedback.
“We’re listening: What you share informs our policies and our messaging,” Blinken said in his message to staff, as quoted The Guardian.
“I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is profound for the victims.”
US officials said the administration’s call for restraint, and emphasis on the need to limit the number of civilian casualties, had been conveyed repeatedly to Israel. The Pentagon has also provided advice to the Israeli military (IDF) on how to target Hamas in Gaza while minimizing damage.
“It has been common knowledge for weeks that significant dissent and frustration has spread across the US administration – driven by growing concerns about the scale of Israel’s military response in Gaza,” said Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.
“The trigger for much of the internal dissent was Biden’s public comments — initially his zero-sum approach to the issue and then his misplaced skepticism toward the toll in Gaza,” he added.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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