President Joe Biden’s handling of the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine has sparked tensions within the State Department, the primary U.S. government agency responsible for foreign policy. According to officials, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his senior advisers are disregarding widespread internal frustration. Some department staff claim that Blinken and his team are uninterested in the advice of their own experts as they focus on supporting Israel’s operations in Gaza, where Hamas is based. The situation has led to a brewing mutiny within the State Department at all levels, with diplomats preparing a “dissent cable” to criticize American policy. This cable, which goes through a protected internal channel, serves as a significant statement of disagreement during critical moments. The dissent channel was established during the Vietnam War and has been used to warn against dangerous and self-defeating choices in foreign policy. In addition to the internal dissent, a State Department official, Josh Paul, recently resigned in protest against the U.S.’s support for Israel’s war effort. Despite the growing discontent, the State Department spokesperson emphasized that the department welcomes differing opinions and encourages its staff to express their views. President Biden and Secretary Blinken have publicly stated that they support Israel’s right to defend itself while also wanting to avoid excessive suffering among ordinary civilians. However, as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues, the State Department faces the challenge of managing delicate diplomacy, prioritizing both Israeli and Palestinian lives, and addressing global concerns that the U.S. is providing excessive cover for Israeli force. It remains to be seen whether Secretary Blinken fully understands the morale crisis within his department. Various officials have described their peers as depressed, angry, and resigned, with some even considering leaving their positions. Some employees have expressed frustration that phrases like “de-escalation/ceasefire,” “end to violence/bloodshed,” and “restoring calm” have been discouraged in public statements by senior State Department officials. Despite the challenges, the dissent cable could serve as a catalyst for change if it garners significant signatures and illustrates the level of disagreement within the department. The dissent channel is viewed as an essential avenue for expressing opposing viewpoints without fear of retaliation, as State Department policies protect those who use it. However, recent attempts by House Republicans to access a dissent cable related to the Afghanistan withdrawal have raised concerns and made some people hesitant to use the channel. The culture of silence and fear surrounding Israel-Palestine within the federal government has long been a concern for professionals in global affairs. Those who question or criticize Israeli actions have often been marginalized and silenced. This environment affects policymaking and creates a chilling effect on employees. Some individuals within the Biden administration feel shame and express frustration at the current situation. Some State Department staff attribute the growing discontent to the actions of Blinken’s deputy chief of staff for policy, Tom Sullivan, who consistently overrides efforts for greater outreach from the secretary to State Department personnel.
State Department Mutiny Brewing: Controversy over Israel-Palestine Policy
