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☆ Israel's attack on Rafah shows the troubling limits of Biden's influence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewEarly on Tuesday, Israeli tanks seized control of the vital Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. But throughout its eight-month war, Israel has shown that it is willing to reject and ignore the advice of its most important international ally, the US. Israel on Monday warned civilians in eastern Rafah to evacuate, indicating that an attack may be imminent. His coalition is fragile, and he relies on the support of far-right lawmakers who are demanding an attack on Rafah. AdvertisementThe Gaza war has repeatedly threatened to spill into a wider regional conflict, and scenes of new civilian suffering in Rafah could intensify that threat.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Matt Duss, Biden, John Kirby, Netanyahu, Israel Biden, Israel, JIM WATSON, He's, Aaron David Miller, Dave Harden Organizations: Service, Hamas, Israeli, Business, Washington, Center for International, House, Monday, Biden, Getty, US, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Wall Street, New York Times, US Agency for International Development, West Bank, BBC Locations: Gaza, Egypt, Israel, Rafah, Ukraine, Israel —, Qatar, New York City, Palestinian, Saudi Arabia

How the U.S. Humanitarian Pier in Gaza Will WorkA humanitarian pier the U.S. military will bring to the Gaza Strip is currently being assembled and is expected to be ready to receive initial shipments of food and other aid early next month, according to military officials. Pier At the pier, loaded aid trucks are driven to Gaza’s shore. Gaza Strip EMPTY TRUCKS return to the pier Humanitarian partners will pick up aid near the shore to take it into the Gaza Strip. Pier At the pier, loaded aid trucks are driven to Gaza’s shore. Gaza Strip EMPTY TRUCKS return to the pier Humanitarian partners will pick up aid near the shore to take it into the Gaza Strip.

Persons: Juan Camilo Jimenez Garces, Trucks, OCHA, U.N, David Satterfield, Israel Organizations: United Nations, U.S . Agency for International Development, Military, Aid, Spanish, BANK, New York Times Ships, Army, New York Times, Food, WFP GAZA, United Nations Office, Humanitarian, New York Times Aid, Hamas, U.S Locations: U.S, Gaza, Larnaca, Cyprus, Dubai, Kenya, Europe, CYPRUS Larnaca, BANK GAZA, ISRAEL EGYPT, LEBANON, Israel, United States, Med, ISRAEL Rafah, Shalom, Egypt, Israel’s

☆ Southern Africa’s drought and floods could push tens of millions into hunger
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The country’s top priority “is securing food for all Zimbabweans,” the president told journalists at the state house in Harare. Kb Mpofu/ReutersIn Zambia, Malawi and Central Mozambique, extreme drought has damaged more than 2 million hectares of crops, Oxfam said. Zambia declared its drought a disaster on February 29. In Mozambique — a country accounting for only 0.2% of global emissions — 3 million people face hunger, according to Oxfam. The country’s capital, Maputo, experienced devastating floods in March, after Tropical Storm Filipo hit followed a few weeks later by further intense rainfall.

Persons: South Africa CNN —, Emmerson Mnangagwa, El Niño, Zimbabwe —, Filipo, ” Teresa Anderson, Machinda Marongwe, ” Marongwe Organizations: South Africa CNN, Oxfam, Reuters, Democratic, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs, United States Agency, International, Systems Network Locations: Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Harare, “, Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, Pumula East, Bulawayo, Central Mozambique, ” Southern Africa, Maputo

☆ 7 Aid Workers Killed in Gaza Were Known for a Passion for Helping Others
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Gaya Gupta | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

They are the latest casualties in the growing toll of aid workers killed in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, and they are among more than a dozen workers who have been killed while doing their jobs. Gaza has been the deadliest place for aid workers since the Oct. 7 attacks. According to the Aid Worker Security Database, a compilation of data on attacks funded by the United States Agency for International Development, 203 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war started. All were Palestinian, except for six of the World Central Kitchen workers most recently killed, who were citizens of Australia, the United States, Canada, Poland and Britain. As of Monday, 176 workers from UNRWA, the U.N. agency dedicated to Palestinians, have been killed, according to the group.

Persons: humanitarians Organizations: Central Kitchen, Aid Worker Security, United States Agency for International Development, Central Locations: Gaza, Palestinian, Deir al Balah, Australia, United States, Canada, Poland, Britain

CNN —Israeli forces last week launched another military operation on Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, bringing the sprawling medical facility north of the enclave back into the spotlight. Here’s what we know:Why are the Israeli forces raiding Al-Shifa again? Palestinian residents leave the area with a few items after Israeli forces besiege the Al-Shifa hospital with tanks and heavy gunfire in Gaza City, Gaza on March 18, 2024. Dawoud Abo Alkas/Anadolu/Getty ImagesResidents of the area around Al-Shifa told CNN there was heavy firing in the vicinity. Meanwhile a doctor who cared for patients trapped inside Al-Shifa told CNN he fears two severely malnourished siblings will not survive due to lack of care and medication.

Persons: Shifa, ”, Yoav Gallant, Gallant, Israel, Dawoud Abo, –, Mohammad Al Shawwa, Al Shawwa, “, ” Al Shawwa, Al Shawwa’s, Dr Ali Alghaliz, Rafiq Dughmosh, Rafif Dughmosh, Alghaliz, Mahmoud, Rafiq, “ Rafiq, Dr Ali, ” Alghaliz, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, ” Ghebreyesus, Jake Sullivan, Lloyd Austin, Jacquelyn Martin, ” Sullivan, Samantha Power Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Israel Defense Forces, Al, United Nations, IDF, Defense Ministry, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Shifa, Dawoud Abo Alkas, Getty, Islamic, Al Ahli Baptist Hospital, Aid, Health Organization, WHO, National, US, Pentagon, US Agency for International Development, USAID Locations: Al, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, “, –, Anadolu, Al Ahli, Israel’s, Shifa, Rafah, ”

☆ Middle East Crisis Deaths of Palestinians Desperate for Food Prompt Fresh Calls for Cease-Fire
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Injured Palestinians at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City after Israeli forces opened fire as a crowd gathered near an aid convoy. The deaths of scores of Palestinians seeking food aid in northern Gaza on Thursday were met with mounting international calls for a cease-fire and for Israel to take immediate measures to increase the flow of supplies into the territory. Officials in Gaza and the Israeli military offered diverging accounts, with Israel saying most of the deaths had been caused by a stampede. The Gazan health ministry said Israeli forces had carried out a “massacre,” injuring 700 in addition to those killed. The aid group Doctors Without Borders said it hadn’t been able to reach its physicians and other staff working in northern Gaza because of unreliable communications but that irrespective of the details, the Israeli military was accountable.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, ”, Samantha Power, “, Israel, hadn’t, Isabelle Defourny Organizations: “, United States Agency for International Development Locations: Al, Gaza City, Gaza, Israel, France

☆ US looking into possible airdrops of aid into Gaza, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The United States is looking into possible airdrops of aid into Gaza as the humanitarian crisis there deepens and assistance fails to reach the people in the war-torn strip, two US officials told CNN on Wednesday. One US official said the prospect of airdrops is being seriously considered based on the conditions on the ground. Earlier this week, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar and France airdropped relief aid on various areas in the Gaza Strip in a sign of how desperate the situation has become. “We are talking to Israeli officials about the need to open up far more crossings, far more passages into Gaza, so that vitally needed humanitarian assistance can be dramatically surged,” Power said. “This is a matter of life and death.”Power met on Wednesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, one of the US officials told CNN.

Persons: Axios, Samantha Power, ” Power, Benjamin Netanyahu, Yoav Gallant Organizations: CNN, United Nations, US Agency for International, Israeli Locations: United States, Gaza, Jordan, Egypt, UAE, Qatar, France, Israel

☆ As the Election Comes Into Focus, Pressure Builds in the West Wing
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Peter Baker | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A former adviser to President Biden has compared life in the White House to dog years: Every day feels like a week, every year like seven. And then there are times like these when it can feel as though an entire term plays out every few days. The past couple of months have become a particularly stressful period in the White House. The secretary of state has protesters camped outside his house throwing fake blood at his car. For some working in the West Wing or its nearby environs, it can be hard just to catch a breath.

Persons: Biden Organizations: U.S . Agency for International Development, White House Locations: Israel

☆ First on CNN: Top US humanitarian official to travel to Middle East this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The US government’s top humanitarian aid official will travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan this week in an effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza that is veering into catastrophe. Power will “underscore the importance of protecting civilians and aid workers in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the spokesperson said. Power is the latest Biden administration to travel to the region to emphasize the US’ strong concerns over the deepening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn strip. Although the Biden administration has become increasingly critical of the toll of the Israeli offensive, it remains at odds with the international humanitarian community and nations like Jordan by vetoing calls for an immediate ceasefire. Ongoing outrage over the administration’s continued support for the Israeli military offensive threatens to be a political problem for Biden in an election year.

Persons: Samantha Power, “, Biden, –, Joe Biden, vetoing, ”, ” Christopher Lockyear Organizations: CNN, West Bank, US Agency for International Development, USAID, Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Biden, UNRWA, Congress, United Nations, Doctors, UN Locations: Israel, Jordan, Gaza, ”, Rafah, Michigan, States

☆ Only the U.S. can force peace in the Middle East and it should pressure Israel, Lebanon foreign minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Lebanon's foreign minister called on the U.S. to pressure Israel and bring an end to its bloody war with Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has now entered its fifth month. "We want peace, I think the Palestinians are ready for peace and Americans should — [they are] the only country that can really enable peace," Bou Habib told CNBC's Silvia Amaro. "But they should exert some pressure over Israel like what happened in the 70s, Kissinger was there, and he exerted pressure on Israel to do the peace." Recent bills in the U.S. Congress have allocated tens of billions more in military aid since the Hamas terror attack of Oct. 7 that killed roughly 1,200 people. If the U.S. can't play a prominent role in stopping the hostilities, "then the war will continue," Bou Habib said.

Persons: Abdallah Bou Habib, Bou Habib, CNBC's Silvia Amaro, Kissinger, Henry, Israel, Israel's Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, CNBC, Munich Security, Congressional Research Service, U.S . Agency for International Development, Washington, U.S, Congress Locations: Israel, Washington, U.S, Gaza

☆ More than 400 personnel take part in Ukraine aid oversight, US watchdog says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Oren Liebermann | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —More than 400 personnel take part in the oversight of Ukraine aid, according to a new report from a US government watchdog, underscoring the massive effort to manage billions of dollars in US assistance. In total, the report said there are more than 400 personnel working across the US, Germany, Ukraine and Europe to audit and evaluate US assistance to Ukraine. The report comes as some Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have demanded more oversight over Ukraine aid before they agree to any additional funding. The State Department watchdog has more than 100 staff members working on Ukraine oversight, three of whom are in Kyiv. The USAID watchdog has another 80 personnel working on Ukraine.

Persons: Mike Johnson, Johnson, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, – Organizations: CNN, Defense Department, State Department, United States Agency for International, Representatives, Ukrainian, Operation Atlantic, NATO, The Defense Department Office, The State Department, USAID, Ukraine – Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Ukrainian, Germany, Russia, Crimea, Kyiv, Romania, North Korea, Iran

☆ US Won't Restart UNRWA Aid Until Investigation Completed -Officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Andrea ShalalWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration plans to wait for an internal investigation of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees to conclude before resuming aid to the organization, U.S. officials told Arab-American community leaders in Michigan. UNRWA officials say they expect the U.N. oversight office's preliminary investigation report to take several weeks. "They did tell us in that meeting that they ... expect that the president will be shifting his language," Alawieh said. ... We're looking for action from President Biden that saves lives." Israel began its military offensive after militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages on Oct. 7.

Persons: Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON, Biden, Samantha Power, Joe Biden's, Ali Dagher, Abbas Alawieh, Alawieh, Israel, Andrea Shalal, Heather Timmons, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: United Nations, Michigan . U.S . Agency for International, Reuters, Israel Locations: American, Michigan ., Michigan, Israel, Gaza, U.S, Lebanese, Dearborn, Arab, Detroit

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Friday sought to downplay sharp criticism levied against Israel by President Joe Biden and a senior national security official over how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has conducted Israel's four-month-old war aimed at rooting out Hamas militants from Gaza. The White House National Security Council confirmed that Finer’s comments, as reported by the Times, were accurate. Hamas, however, has demanded that Israel release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and end the war as part of a hostage deal. Biden said he still is hopeful that a deal can be worked out that might create a path to ending the war. Biden enjoyed a roughly 3-to-1 advantage in Dearborn and 5-1 advantage in Hamtramck, and he won Wayne County by more than 330,000 votes.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Biden, ”, Jon, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Netanyahu, Adrienne Watson, “, ” Biden, “ I’ve, Samantha Power, Steven Benjamin, Tom Perez, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Donald Trump Organizations: WASHINGTON, Israel, New York Times, White House National Security Council, Times, Associated Press, National Security, U.S . Agency for International Development, Public, Intergovernmental Affairs, Biden, Michigan, Democrats, Wayne County Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestinian, U.S, Egypt, Qatar, Michigan, Detroit, Eastern, Wayne County, Dearborn, Hamtramck, Wayne

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is sending several senior aides to Michigan to meet with Arab American and Muslim leaders, according to three people familiar with the matter, as his administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war frustrates members of a key constituency in a 2024 battleground state. Also expected to attend are Tom Perez, who leads the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Mazen Basrawi, the White House liaison to American Muslim communities, and aides Jamie Citron and Dan Koh. Siblani was one of the few Arab American leaders to meet with Rodriguez when she visited Dearborn at the end of January. The White House says administration officials have been in regular contact with Muslim and Arab American leaders in Michigan and across the country. He did not meet with Arab American and Muslim community members.

Persons: Joe Biden, Samantha Power, Jon, Steven Benjamin, Tom Perez, Basrawi, Jamie Citron, Dan Koh, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, ”, Osama Siblani, “ I’m, ” Siblani, Siblani, Rodriguez, Alabas Farhat, “, ” Farhat, Farhat, “ it’s, Debbie Dingell, Biden, I’ve, ” Dingell, Biden hasn't, Abdullah Hammoud, ” ___ Cappelletti Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Agency for International Development, Public, White, Intergovernmental Affairs, Biden, Arab American News, Associated, AP, U.S . Rep, Health Ministry, CNN, United Auto Workers, Palestinian, UAW, Dearborn Locations: Michigan, Israel, American, Detroit, Dearborn , Michigan, Gaza, Dearborn, White, Arab, Eastern, The U.S, Warren, Lansing , Michigan

☆ Group of Palestinian-Americans skip Blinken meeting over Biden admin’s support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

More than 26,000 have been killed, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and Gaza is on the brink of famine. ‘Soul-searching’One of the invitees to the roundtable, Dr. Tariq Haddad, said in an intensely personal, 12-page letter to Blinken that he initially intended to go to the meeting. “My family are subsisting on animal feed, Secretary Blinken, because of your policies,” he said. Public oppositionAnd while Blinken was quietly confronted behind closed doors about the administration’s policy toward Gaza on Thursday, members of the administration, including Blinken, have also faced public displays of opposition. “And we are working 24/7 to try to dramatically expand the flow of food, medicine, shelter – I mean, so much is needed.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Blinken, Joe, Biden, ”, “, Tariq Haddad, ” Haddad, Haddad, –, Matt Miller, ” Miller, Samantha Power, Power, doesn’t Organizations: CNN, Biden, Middle East, State Department, State, Palestinian, US Agency for International Development, USAID, Agency, USAID Missions Locations: Gaza, Israel, United States, Thursday’s, ”

☆ Israel-Hamas War U.S. to Return Yemen’s Houthi Militia to Terrorism List
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Michael Crowley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

But even the lesser label of specially designated global terrorist group could jeopardize U.S. and Saudi efforts to construct a lasting peace deal to end the conflict. The conflict created a humanitarian catastrophe that Mr. Biden, as a candidate in 2020, vowed to address. Following a debate within the Trump administration, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization and a specially designated global terrorist group in mid-January 2021. In February 2021, less than three weeks after Mr. Biden took office, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reversed Mr. Pompeo’s designations. Asked by a reporter last week whether he considered the Houthis a terrorist group, Mr. Biden did not equivocate.

Persons: Biden, Yemen’s, Trump, Jake Sullivan, Tim Lenderking, Mike Pompeo, Antony J, Blinken, Tom Cotton, Mr, ” Mr, Cotton, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “, ” Organizations: U.S, State Department, Economic, Sana’a Center, Strategic Studies, United Arab Emirates, United Arab, U.S . Agency for International Development, United Nations, Associated Press, Republican, United Locations: Houthi, Yemen, Iran, U.S, United States, Saudi, Gaza, Israel, Davos, Switzerland, Al Qaeda, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Arkansas, United Arab

☆ What Happens When There Is No Food: Experts Say Severe Malnutrition Could Set in Swiftly in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Stephanie Nolen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Ms. Power referred to the work of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, a group of U.N. agencies and relief agencies which tracks acute food shortages, and which said in March that “famine is imminent” in Gaza. Even before the war between Israel and Hamas, nearly 70 percent of Gazans were dependent on humanitarian assistance for food because the territory has been under Israeli and Egyptian blockade since 2007. Nevertheless, malnutrition was rare, Ms. Power said in congressional testimony; that has changed swiftly with the war. “In northern Gaza, the rate of malnutrition prior to Oct. 7 was almost zero, and it is now one in three kids,” she said. She added: “In terms of actual severe acute malnutrition for under-5s, that rate was 16 percent in January and became 30 percent in February.

Persons: Samantha Power, Power, ”, We’re Organizations: United States Agency for International Development, Integrated, Hamas Locations: Gaza, Israel

☆ Period poverty: How air pollution in Kenya could make periods heavier, more painful and more expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Elizabeth Wells | Eoin Mcsweeney | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

Studies have linked air pollution to an increased risk of endometriosis , a condition that causes tissue like what lines the womb to grow outside of the uterus. Compared with Kenya, women can more easily access anti-inflammatory drugs and birth control commonly used to manage painful periods. She believes that the new research on air pollution should be a major concern for the millions of women struggling to manage their periods in Nairobi. Kenyan Senator Gloria Orwoba is calling for more research on the link between air pollution and women's reproductive health. Now, she tells CNN, targeted government intervention is needed to address the possible effects of air pollution on menstrual cycles.

Persons: Alice Shikuku, Shikuku, Mercy, Audrey Gaskins, we've, Gaskins, Oscar Lee, Lee, Emmie Erondanga, Miss Koch, Erondanga, Wanjiru Kepha, Kepha, Wanjiru, Damaris Atieno, Atieno, Sen, Gloria Orwoba, Orwoba, William Ruto's, she's, I'm Organizations: CNN, US Agency for International Development, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, China Medical University, World Health Organization, Miss, Huru International, Kenya, Kenyan, William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, Korogocho, United States, Taiwan, Taichung, Shikuku's, Dandora, Miss Koch Kenya, Mukuru, Miss, Wanjiru Kepha

Israel continues to dismiss calls for a longer-term cease-fire accompanied by political negotiations, despite growing U.S. and international concern about the humanitarian toll in Gaza. As it pummeled Gaza City in the north, the Israeli government told residents to go to southern Gaza, and many did so. But Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes across the south with large munitions: 1,000- to 2,000-pound bombs. U.S. officials say their top goals include maintaining electricity supplies to Gaza’s hospitals and providing fuel for water desalinization. It’s not that they expect the pause will turn into a cease-fire” lasting weeks or longer.

Persons: Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Matthew Miller, Miller, David Satterfield, Brett McGurk, Mr, McGurk, ”, —, they’re, ” Martin, Antony J Organizations: Qatari, Hamas, State Department, United Nations, U.S, U.S . Agency for International Development, National Public Radio, Wednesday Locations: Gaza, Gaza —, United States, Israel, Egypt, East, North Africa, Qatar, U.S

☆ US to Provide Over $4 Million in Aid for Those Affected by Nagorno-Karabakh Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Daphne PsaledakisWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will provide over $4.1 million in aid for people affected by the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the United States Agency for International Development said in a statement, after Azerbaijan's recapture of the region prompted a mass exodus of Armenians. USAID said the additional aid, which has not been previously reported, will support efforts to provide assistance for almost 74,000 refugees and displaced people from the region who are sheltering in Armenia. The aid will increase food assistance and provide humanitarian protection and emergency shelter, according to the statement. The additional aid will bring the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Nagorno-Karabakh response to nearly $28 million since 2020, according to the statement. "The U.S. stands with civilians affected by Azerbaijan’s military operation and supports the Armenian government’s efforts to help those in need," the statement read.

Persons: Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON, Samantha Power, Power, Daphne Psaledakis, Matthew Lewis Organizations: United States Agency for International Development, USAID Locations: United States, Nagorno, Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenia, U.S, Baku, Soviet, Soviet Union, Washington

Some current and former officials and staffers said it’s the public nature of some of the challenges from federal employees that is unusual. The State Department has an honored tradition of allowing formal, structured statements of dissent to U.S. policy. It was done,'' said Thomas Shannon, a retired career foreign service officer who served in senior positions at the State Department. State Department officials say several expressions of dissent have made their way through the formal channels to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. One State Department official, 11-year veteran Josh Paul, quit late last month to protest the administration's rush to provide arms to Israel.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, “, ”, we’ve, Richard Nixon’s, George W, Bush, Obama, Thomas Shannon, Shannon, Trump, Sean Spicer, Donald Trump’s, I’m, ” Shannon, Antony Blinken, Josh Paul, Blinken, Matthew Miller, shirk, there's, Jamey Keaten, Matthew Lee Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, State Department, NASA, Hamas, Congressional, Capitol, Gaza, Israeli, Biden’s Democratic Party, The Associated Press, NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, Census, U.S . Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, Palestinian Health Ministry, The State Department, U.S ., Trump, Biden, Department, White, State, USAID, Washington Post, Foreign, Muslim, Associated Press, AP Locations: Gaza, United States, Israel, U.S, Cambodia, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Geneva

☆ Israel-Hamas War Israel Indicates It Will Expand Its Offensive Into Southern Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Ephrat Livni | Victoria Kim | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

The letter affirms President Biden’s opposition to a cease-fire, challenging demands from hundreds of officials that Israel halt its military offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s government and Mr. Biden have rejected such a step as incompatible with Israel’s goal of destroying Hamas. The newer letter was delivered to Mr. Biden on Tuesday with 115 names, but its organizers continued to collect signatures until Friday. The earlier letter of dissent was delivered to Mr. Biden with a signature count but without names, although the signatories are known to that letter’s organizers. She cited an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll conducted early this month that found that half of Democrats approved of Mr. Biden’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Persons: Biden’s, Obama, Biden, Ron Klain, Lawrence H, Summers, Barack Obama, Colin H, Kahl, Joseph W, Westphal, Mr, Samantha Power, Power, Antony J, Blinken, Josh Paul, Soifer Organizations: Biden, Democratic, National Economic Council, Mr, U.S . Agency for International Development, United Nations, White House, State Department, Capitol, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, Jewish Democratic Council of America, Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Reuters Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Saudi Arabia, United States

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — The United States Agency for International Development will restart food aid deliveries across Ethiopia in December, five months after it halted its nationwide program over a massive corruption scheme by local officials. Political Cartoons View All 1247 ImagesUSAID officials said it could be the largest-ever theft of food aid. The suspension affects 20.1 million Ethiopians who rely on food aid because of conflict and drought. The U.S. aid agency did not say if Ethiopian officials are still involved in the delivery of food. The WFP also restarted aid to refugees in Ethiopia in October but is yet to resume food aid nationwide.

Persons: Jessica Jennings, ”, Jennings Organizations: United States Agency for International Development, USAID, Food, Associated Press, WFP Locations: ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Tigray, The U.S

More than 400 political appointees and staff members representing some 40 government agencies sent a letter to President Biden on Tuesday protesting his support of Israel in its war in Gaza. The letter, part of growing internal dissent over the administration’s support of the war, calls on the president to seek an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and to push Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the territory. Two political appointees who helped organize the letter to Mr. Biden said the majority of the signatories are political appointees of various faiths who work throughout government, from the National Security Council to the F.B.I. Some of the signatories helped Mr. Biden get elected in 2020 and said in interviews they were concerned that the administration’s support of Israel’s war in Gaza clashed with Democratic voters’ stance on the issue. So far, more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s military offensive according to Gaza’s health ministry.

Persons: Biden, Antony J, Blinken, Mr, Israel Organizations: State Department, U.S . Agency for International Development, USAID, Department, U.S ., The New York Times, National Security Council, Justice Department, Democratic Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, United States

☆ Blinken acknowledges disagreements within State Department on Israel-Hamas war in email to staff
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged disagreements within the State Department over the Biden administration’s approach to the Israel-Hamas war in an email to staff Monday. His message to personnel, sent on the heels of his recent travels, comes amid growing anger and dissent not only from staff at the State Department but within the broader Biden administration. CNN reported last week that hundreds of personnel at the US Agency for International Development signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire, and there are reports of a “dissent memo” inside the State Department. “I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is taking a profound personal toll,” Blinken wrote in his email Monday, which was seen by CNN. “We believe in Palestinian-led governance of Gaza, with Gaza unified with the West Bank.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Biden, “, ” Blinken, ”, I’ve, Blinken, HuffPost, Matthew Miller, ” Miller Organizations: CNN, State Department, Biden, US Agency for International Development, West Bank Locations: Israel, Washington, East, Asia, Gaza, Palestinian

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