State Department official resigns over Biden's handling of Israel-Palestine conflict

By Darren Lyn

HOUSTON, United States (AA) - A senior US State Department official resigned late Wednesday over President Joe Biden's handling of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Josh Paul, who worked on arms transfers for more than 11 years at the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, announced his retirement in a two-page letter addressing his reasoning for stepping down.

"I am leaving today because I believe that in our current course with regards to the continued - indeed, expanded and expedited - provision of lethal arms to Israel - I have reached the end of that bargain," said Paul, citing the Biden administration's support of Israel in its response to the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

"Let me be clear: Hamas' attack on Israel was not just a monstrosity; it was a monstrosity of monstrosities," Paul continued. "But I believe to the core of my soul that the response Israel is taking, and with it the American support both for that response, and the status quo of the occupation, will only lead to more and deeper suffering for both the Israeli and Palestinian people - and is not in the long term American interest."

"Blind support for one side is destructive in the long term to the interests of the people on both sides."

During his speech in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, Biden voiced his complete support for Israel.

"You're not alone. You are not alone," said the US president. "As long as the United States stands, and we will stand forever, we will not let you ever be alone. I know the recent terrorist assault on the people of this nation has left a deep, deep wound."

"We will not stand by and do nothing again," Biden continued. "Not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

Paul, in his resignation declaration, expressed his desire for the protection of innocent people, both Israeli and Palestinian.

"The murder of civilians is an enemy to that desire - whether by terrorists as they dance at a rave, or by terrorists as they harvest their olive grove," he said. "The kidnapping of children is an enemy to that desire - whether taken at gunpoint from their kibbutz or taken at gunpoint from their village."

"And, collective punishment is an enemy to that desire, whether it involves demolishing one home, or one thousand; as too is ethnic cleansing; as too is occupation; as too is apartheid," said Paul.

On Oct. 7, Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.