A senior official in the U.S. Education Department resigned on Wednesday, citing President Joe Biden’s handling of the conflict in Gaza. This resignation adds to a growing list of dissent within the administration, as casualties continue to rise in the ongoing war.
Education Department Resignation
Tariq Habash, a special assistant in the Education Department’s Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development, submitted his resignation in a letter addressed to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.
“Could Not Remain Silent”
In the letter, Habash expressed his concerns, stating that he could not remain silent as the administration appeared to ignore the atrocities against innocent Palestinian lives. Human rights experts have labeled Israel’s actions in Gaza as a genocidal campaign.
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Background on Tariq Habash
Habash, a Palestinian-American, had been appointed early in President Biden’s tenure as part of an effort to bolster the Education Department’s expertise on student loans.
Warning from Biden Campaign Staff
On the same day, 17 members of President Biden’s re-election campaign staff released an anonymous letter on Medium. The letter served as a warning that the administration’s stance on the Gaza conflict could cost the president support among voters.
Staff Concerns
The anonymous campaign staffers expressed their concerns, revealing that volunteers were resigning in significant numbers. They also noted that individuals who had traditionally voted for the Democratic Party were now uncertain about their allegiance due to the administration’s handling of the conflict.
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State Department’s Perspective
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller responded earlier in the day, stating that the U.S. had not observed acts in Gaza that constituted genocide. His comments came in light of South Africa’s proceedings at the International Court of Justice regarding Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Israel has also denied claims of genocide.
Previous Resignations and Dissent
This resignation follows a trend of dissent within the Biden administration regarding its stance on Israel and Gaza. In October, former State Department official Josh Paul resigned, citing the administration’s “blind support” for Israel.
Calls for Ceasefire
In November, over 1,000 officials in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed an open letter urging the Biden administration to call for an immediate ceasefire.
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Acknowledging Disagreements
Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged disagreements within the administration in a November letter, following at least three internal cables criticizing the administration’s policy.
Public Demonstrations
In December, some members of the Biden administration held a vigil near the White House, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.
Casualty Figures
On October 7, the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in 1,200 casualties according to Israeli reports. Additionally, 240 hostages were taken back to Gaza. The Gaza health ministry reported a recorded Palestinian death toll of 22,313 by Wednesday, which amounts to nearly 1% of Gaza’s 2.3 million population.
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Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Israeli bombardments have caused extensive damage in the densely populated enclave, rendering a significant portion of Gazans homeless. Food shortages have also exacerbated the looming threat of famine.
U.S. Role and Criticisms
While the United States has publicly criticized the rhetoric of some Israeli ministers and urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties, critics argue that Washington is not effectively leveraging its position as a major supplier of arms and aid to influence Israeli policy.
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