Live updates | Biden says Gaza’s largest hospital ‘must be protected’ as thousands flee the fighting
Associated PressNov 06, 2023
The Facts
In a department-wide email sent on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the growing dissent within his ranks over Pres. Joe Biden's administration's handling of the war in Gaza.
Following a nine-day trip across the Middle East and Asia, Blinken moved to quell the backlash over Biden's pledge to stand by Israel following Hamas's Oct. 7 attack. Up to 11K people have so far died in Israel's response according to Gaza's Health Ministry — reportedly prompting hundreds of State Department employees to publicly and privately call for an immediate ceasefire.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
One of the strengths of the State Department is its diversity of views, which staff are always encouraged to continuously make known. Secretary Blinken and upper management are listening to those views which will be used to inform the State Department's policy decisions. The Biden administration wants to support its ally Israel while also maintaining a safe future for the Palestinian people.
Establishment-critical narrative
In aiding and abetting Israeli attacks on Gaza, which UN officials have already warned may breach international law, the US may be just as legally culpable if they provide direct military support. Some argue those crimes reach the threshold of genocide. The US needs to rethink its current stance and call for an immediate ceasefire.
Narrative C
While the death toll on both sides of the conflict are horrendous, there's no evidence that Israel is committing genocide. Playing fast and loose with the term is a dangerous maneuver that not only waters down the horrors of genocide but also acts as a distraction that risks escalating the conflict's global spillover.