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☆ Hala Rharrit, US diplomat who quit over Biden administration’s Gaza policy, speaks out
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Jennifer Hansler | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Hala Rharrit never expected that she would choose to leave her career as a US diplomat. About a year and a half ago, after mostly behind-the-scenes roles, Rharrit became an Arab language spokesperson for the State Department. But the US government’s policy on the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza “unfortunately really, really changed that,” she said. Rharrit told CNN that she and her colleagues were “horrified” by the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, which triggered the war in Gaza. We just have not been able to say it.’”The State Department would not comment specifically on Rharrit’s case, citing personnel matters.

Persons: Hala Rharrit, Yemen —, Rharrit, “, ”, Josh Paul, Annelle, ” Rharrit, “ I’m, ‘ you’re, ’ ”, you’re, they’re, ‘, we’ve, Vedant Patel, ” “ You’ve Organizations: CNN, State Department, Biden, Israel, US, The State Department Locations: Yemen, Hong Kong, Qatar, South Africa, Arab, Israel, Gaza, United States, “

Arm Ukraine With Fanfare and Israel in Secret? That package will pay for billions of dollars of arms flowing to Ukraine, Israel and other nations. As soon as the bill became law, the administration issued new announcements about weapons shipments to Ukraine, but not about transfers to Israel. Press releases about military aid for Ukraine and Israel Since both wars began, the U.S. government has issued at least 126 press statements or updates describing military aid sent to Ukraine and just three describing military aid sent to Israel. Information on maritime support sent to … Ukraine IsraelInformation on air-based weaponry and drones sent to … Ukraine IsraelThere is another distinction worth noting.

Persons: Biden, Jonathan Ernst, Antony Blinken, ”, Josh Paul, Israel —, Ukraine Israel “, Daniel C, it’s, Benjamin Netanyahu Organizations: Reuters, Israel Defense Forces, Israel . Press, U.S . Department of State, U.S . Department of State ; U.S . Department of Defense, Internet, State Department, Defense Department, State and Defense, Washington Post, Ukraine authorizations, Democratic Party, West Bank, White, New York, Facebook Locations: Israel, Ukraine, U.S, U.S . Department of State ;, Ukraine Israel, Gaza, American, Egypt, Russian, Rafah, Lebanon, Iran, Iranian, Syria, United States

☆ US recently authorized more bombs for Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Natasha Bertrand | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Biden administration recently authorized the transfer of over 1,000 500-pound bombs and over 1,000 small-diameter bombs to Israel, according to three people familiar with the matter, adding to its arsenal despite US concerns over the country’s conduct in the war in Gaza. The transfer authorization of the MK82 bombs and small-diameter bombs, more than 2,000 munitions in total, occurred on Monday, according to two of the people familiar. CNN has previously linked the MK84 bombs to mass casualty events in Gaza, including Israeli strikes on refugee camps there last year. More than 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October, according to the enclave’s ministry of health. Israel declared war on Hamas in response to the militant group’s terror attack on October 7 that killed over 1,200 Israelis.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, “, Josh Paul, you’d, Joe Biden, ”, Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: CNN, State Department, Democratic, West Bank, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, “ State Department, US, Congress, Pentagon, Federal Register Locations: Israel, Gaza, State, “, Paris

CNN —The Biden administration is close to approving the sale of as many as 50 American-made F-15 fighter jets to Israel, in a deal expected to be worth more than $18 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, which killed over 1,200 Israelis, the US has made more than 100 foreign military sales to Israel. Most of those have fallen under the specific dollar amount that requires a notification to Congress, an official familiar with the matter previously told CNN. A congressional aide told CNN that House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul has also approved the transaction to proceed to formal congressional notification. “What you hear about the frustrations within the administration over the Israel policy, it is real,” one US diplomat told CNN on condition of anonymity.

Persons: CNN —, Biden, Sen, James Risch, Michael McCaul, Ben Cardin, Greg Meeks, Biden administration’s, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, Israel won’t, Josh Paul, Matthew Miller, Israel what’s, Pat Ryder, ” Steven Katz, Katz Organizations: CNN, Hamas, Biden, Democratic, House Foreign Affairs, Foreign, State Department, Republican, Senate Foreign Relations, House Foreign, Congressional Research Service, UN, The State Department, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, ”, Pentagon, Army, Defense, U.S, National Intelligence Locations: Israel, Gaza, State, Washington , DC, United States, “ Israel, Iran

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

☆ U.S. Military Aid Is Killing Civilians in Gaza - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Josh Paul | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Palestinian intelligence officials would be provided with target information by Israel, and Palestinian forces would be expected to take on missions previously conducted by the Israel Defense Forces to detain those targets. Even worse, in 2008 and ’09, when Israel’s Operation Cast Lead, which resulted in over 1,300 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, sparked protests in the West Bank, it was the Palestinian Authority Security Forces that physically stood between demonstrators and the Israel Defense Forces. In hindsight, it was perhaps the death knell for the legitimacy of the Palestinian Authority in the eyes of its people. The United States could also start conditioning its military assistance to Israel (as it does for many other recipients) on certain verifiable political conditions being met. Doing so would require structuring assistance in a way that enables Palestinian society control over its own security forces.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, — Organizations: Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian, West Bank, Palestinian Authority Security Forces, Palestinian Authority Locations: Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Ramallah, Washington, United States, U.S

☆ Pentagon says there are no limits on how Israel uses US weapons as death toll climbs amid airstrikes in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The Pentagon says there are no limits on how Israel uses US-provided weapons in their attacks in Gaza. A spokesperson said it's up to the IDF how it uses the weapons. Israeli airstrikes have devastated the Gaza Strip, and a new ground offensive could do further damage. On Monday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told that "we are not putting any limits on how Israel uses weapons that [are] provided," Voice of America National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin reported. AdvertisementAdvertisementIn the wake of the Hamas attacks on Israel and during the subsequent war against the militants in Gaza, the US has repeatedly said that it supports Israel's right to defend itself.

Persons: it's, —, Sabrina Singh, Jeff Seldin, Singh, Israel, Khan Yunis, MAHMUD HAMS, John Kirby, Josh Paul, Biden, Leahy Organizations: Pentagon, Israel, Service, Hamas, Israel Defense Forces, of America National Security, Israeli Defense Force, Gaza Health Ministry, US, Palestinian, Getty, National Security, Congressional, Public Affairs, Political, Military Affairs, US Department of State, PBS Locations: Gaza, Israel, Gaza City, Khan, AFP

☆ Biden's Israel stance angers Arab, Muslim Americans; could jeopardize 2024 votes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

In hotly contested Michigan, Arab Americans account for 5% of the vote. In other battleground states Pennsylvania and Ohio, they are between 1.7% to 2%, said Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. Arab and Muslim Americans are unlikely to back Trump but could sit out the election and not vote for Biden, some activists said. Some Arab American and Muslim appointees are scared of backlash and reprisals and worried about family members in the region, said one White House official, who is Arab American. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the personal difficulties some staff are facing in a Thursday letter, and met Monday with Palestinian and Arab American community leaders and Jewish American groups.

Persons: Bonnie Cash, Joe Biden's, Biden, Biden's, Donald Trump, Jim Zogby, Trump, Laila El, Haddad, Abdullah Hammoud, Linda Sarsour, Sa'ed Atshan, Barack Obama, Jeff Zients, Anita Dunn, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Antony Blinken, Josh Paul, Andrea Shalal, Kanishka Singh, Simon Lewis, Heather Timmons, Grant McCool Organizations: Palestine, REUTERS, Rights, Muslim, Republican, Arab American Institute, Michigan, Trump, United Nations, Arab American Association of New, Islamic Relations, Quaker Palestinian, Pennsylvania's Swarthmore College, White, Gaza, Muslim American, White House, Palestinian, Jewish, Political, Military Affairs, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Washington , U.S, Israel, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Canada, American, Dearborn , Michigan, U.S, Arab American Association of New York, Quaker Palestinian American, Arab American

☆ Biden's Israel stance angers Arab, Muslim-Americans; could jeopardize 2024 votes
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden has demonstrated unwavering support for Israel's security over a half century in public life. In other battleground states Pennsylvania and Ohio, they are between 1.7% to 2%, said Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute. Arab and Muslim Americans are unlikely to back Trump but could sit out the election and not vote for Biden, some activists said. U.S. officials with family in the region are doubly stressed by the "ambassadorial" role they play as they field agitated messages from relatives and others angry at Biden's Israel strategy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the personal difficulties some staff are facing in a Thursday letter, and met Monday with Palestinian and Arab American community leaders and Jewish American groups.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Joe Biden's, Biden's, Donald Trump, Jim Zogby, Trump, Laila El, Haddad, Abdullah Hammoud, Linda Sarsour, Sa'ed Atshan, Barack Obama, Jeff Zients, Anita Dunn, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Antony Blinken, Josh Paul, Andrea Shalal, Kanishka Singh, Simon Lewis, Heather Timmons, Grant McCool Organizations: Israeli, Hamas, Muslim, Republican, Arab American Institute, Michigan, Trump, Arab American Association of New, Islamic Relations, Quaker Palestinian, Pennsylvania's Swarthmore College, White, Muslim American, White House, Palestinian, Jewish, Political, Military Affairs, Thomson Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, WASHINGTON, Gaza, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Dearborn , Michigan, U.S, Arab American Association of New York, American, Arab American

Biden has literally, and figuratively, wrapped Netanyahu in a warm embrace since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. Biden himself told reporters on his way back from Israel that he had a “long talk” with Israeli officials “about what the alternatives are” to a possible extended ground operation. “At the same time ... Netanyahu and I discussed again yesterday the critical need for Israel to operate by the laws of war. That was followed by more than a dozen lawmakers introducing a resolution urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire. Biden administration officials, meanwhile, in their interactions with their Israeli counterparts have witnessed trauma — and rage — that is palpable.

Persons: Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden, he'd, Netanyahu, Bibi, ”, He's, Netanyahu “, “ We’re, ” Biden, Antony Blinken, Delia Ramirez, Summer Lee of, Michigan —, Blinken, Ilhan Omar, Omar, Israel, “, ” Josh Paul, Biden’s, Gazans Organizations: WASHINGTON, White, Israel, Democratic Party, Democratic, Delia Ramirez of Illinois, West Bank, Rep, Ministry, State Department's Bureau, Political, Military Affairs, State Department, U.S Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Israeli, U.S, Ukraine, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Delia Ramirez of, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Afghanistan, Rafah, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, United States

☆ A US State Department official resigned over Biden's 'blind' military support for Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A US State Department official resigned because of President Joe Biden's "blind" support for Israel. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementAdvertisementA US State Department official overseeing arms transfers resigned in response to President Joe Biden's "blind" decision to keep supplying Israel with weapons as it imposes a siege on Gaza as part of its war with Hamas. More than 1,300 Israelis died in Hamas' surprise attacks on October 7, the Israel Defense Forces said .

Persons: Joe Biden's, Josh Paul, —, Paul, Biden Organizations: US State Department, Israel, Political, Military Affairs, Service, State Department, Israel Defense Forces, Palestinian Health Ministry, Carnegie Endowment, International, Biden Administration, ABC News, UN, Human Rights, The New York Times Locations: Israel, Gaza, Hamas

☆ State Department Official Resigns Over Arms Transfers to Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( John Ismay | More About John Ismay | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A State Department official in the bureau that oversees arms transfers resigned this week in protest of the Biden administration’s decision to continue sending weapons and ammunition to Israel as it lays siege to Gaza in its war with Hamas. In his resignation letter, Josh Paul, who has been the director of congressional and public affairs for the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs for over 11 years, said the Biden administration’s “blind support for one side” was leading to policy decisions that were “shortsighted, destructive, unjust and contradictory to the very values we publicly espouse.”“The response Israel is taking, and with it the American support both for that response and for the status quo of the occupation, will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and the Palestinian people,” he wrote, adding, “I fear we are repeating the same mistakes we have made these past decades, and I decline to be a part of it for longer.”In an interview, Mr. Paul said that Israel’s cutting off of water, food, medical care and electricity to Gaza, a territory of two million people, should prompt protections in a number of longstanding federal laws intended to keep American weapons out of the hands of human rights violators. But those legal guardrails are failing, he said.

Persons: Biden, Josh Paul, Biden administration’s, ”, Paul Organizations: Department, State Department’s Bureau, Political, Military Affairs Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ State Department official resigns over Biden administration’s handling of Israel-Hamas conflict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Sharif Paget | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A State Department official has resigned from the agency over the Biden administration’s approach to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, the official announced on LinkedIn Wednesday. “Hamas’ attack on Israel was not just a monstrosity; it was a monstrosity of monstrosities. I also believe that potential escalations by Iran-linked groups such as Hezbollah, or by Iran itself, would be a further cynical exploitation of the existing tragedy. Decades of the same approach have shown that security for peace leads to neither security, nor to peace. “There’s a moment where you can say, OK, well, you know, it’s out of my hands, but I know Congress is going to push back,” he told the Times.

Persons: Josh Paul, ”, ” Paul, “, ’, Paul Organizations: CNN, State Department, Biden, Hamas, LinkedIn, Political, Military Affairs, The New York Times, Times Locations: Israel, “ Hamas, Iran, Gaza, “

☆ Biden’s Response to Israeli War Meets Centrist Praise and Liberal Anger
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Reid J. Epstein | More About Reid J. Epstein | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

He pleaded with the Israelis not to overreact, as he said the United States did after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Mr. Biden’s speech comes as his political coalition has begun to fray over the Israeli conflict. “I am grateful to have @POTUS thoughtful leadership in this moment,” Representative Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri wrote on social media. “Joe Biden flew into a war zone to stand with Israel,” Mr. Auchincloss said late Wednesday. “Trump wouldn’t even visit a cemetery of American war dead.” (Mr. Trump, in 2018, canceled a planned trip to a French cemetery, and his aides cited the rainy weather.)

Persons: Biden, Israel —, “, Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri, Steny Hoyer, Biden “, Richard Haass, Jake Auchincloss, Donald J, Trump, “ Joe Biden, ” Mr, Auchincloss, “ Trump, ”, Cori Bush, André Carson, Pope Francis, Rashida Tlaib, Jerry Nadler, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ilhan Omar, Omar, Dilawar Syed, Wadea, ’, Josh Paul, Biden administration’s Organizations: Democratic, Progressives, Democrats, Maryland, Foreign Relations, Biden, Liberal Democrats, Gaza, Capitol, Florida, Small Business Administration, Department Locations: Israel, Ukraine, Tel Aviv, United States, Gaza, America, Massachusetts, Missouri, André Carson of Indiana, Michigan, York, Minnesota, Chicago

The funding request, expected to be formally unveiled on Friday, is likely to be around $100 billion over the next year, according to people directly familiar with the proposal who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. Biden hopes that combining all of these issues into one piece of legislation will create the necessary political coalition for congressional approval. The White House has warned that time is running out to prevent Ukraine, which recently struggled to make progress in a grueling counteroffensive, from losing ground to Russia because of dwindling supplies of weapons. The White House plans to formally unveil Biden’s supplemental request on Friday, according to two officials familiar with the plans, although the timing could change. The Senate plans to move quickly on Biden’s request, hoping that it creates pressure on the Republican-controlled House to resolve its leadership drama and return to legislating.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Kevin McCarthy, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Critics, Josh Paul, “, ”, Paul, Israel, Shalanda Young, Sen, Chris Murphy, Conn, Matthew Lee, Mary Clare Jalonick, David Bauder Organizations: WASHINGTON, Hamas, Republican, Israel, State Department, Tel, Wednesday, ABC, NBC, CBS, of Management, White, Senate, Department of Homeland Security, Taiwan, Biden, Associated Press Locations: Israel, Ukraine, United States, Mexico, Gaza, Russia, Tel Aviv, legislating, China, Europe

☆ U.S. State Department Official Resigns Over Israel Military Aid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A State Department official resigned Wednesday over stepped-up military aid to Israel, writing in a note explaining his decision that Israel’s U.S.-supported response to Hamas’s attack would lead to more suffering for both Israelis and Palestinians. “I fear we are repeating the same mistakes we have made these past decades, and I decline to be a part of it for longer,” the official, Josh Paul, wrote.

Persons: Josh Paul Organizations: Department Locations: Israel, U.S

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