U.S. State Department official Josh Paul resigned from his position following the transfer of military aid to Israel as part of its war against Hamas.
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Paul, who had worked for 11 years in the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs which oversees arms transfers to foreign countries, represents a rare instance of overt protest by a government official against the longstanding U.S. support for Israel and its right to self-defense.
Paul announced his resignation from the State Department due to disagreements over "the continued… provision of lethal arms to Israel.” In his resignation letter, Paul stated that President Joe Biden's administration "rushing more arms to one side of the conflict," and that such support has led to "destructive" decisions.
Paul stated that he currently cannot support the continued U.S. military assistance to Israel, calling the administration’s response “an impulsive reaction” based on “intellectual bankruptcy.”
In his statement, Paul underscored that Hamas's terror attacks against Israel are "a monstrosity of monstrosities." He voiced concerns that Iran-affiliated groups, including Hezbollah, might cynically exploit the tragedy to escalate tensions in the region. However, he emphasized that the conflict in Gaza would only bring harm to all parties involved.
Paul acknowledged Israel's right to respond and defend itself. " I guess I question how many Palestinian children have to die in that process,” said Paul.
“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.”
An American official told Reuters that the Pentagon has informed Congress members that the U.S. plans to send Israel two Iron Dome battery systems soon. Both were previously purchased from Israel.