Josh Paul, a State Department official, made headlines recently when he resigned from the bureau responsible for arms transfers to foreign nations. In his resignation letter, posted on LinkedIn, Paul expressed his objection to the continued U.S. military assistance to Israel, particularly in light of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by Israel’s retaliatory bombardment and blockade. Paul had been the director of congressional and public affairs at the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs and had served for over a decade.
In his letter, Paul stated that he had initially joined the State Department with the belief that he could do more good than harm. However, with the current policies regarding arms transfers to Israel, he felt that he had reached a point where the harm outweighed the good. His resignation came on the same day that President Biden visited Israel and pledged his commitment to its security, while also expressing support for Palestinians with humanitarian aid and relief efforts.
While Paul commended the administration’s efforts to mitigate Israel’s response and provide relief to civilians in Gaza, he could not support the decision to rush more arms to one side of the conflict. He believed this approach to be shortsighted, destructive, unjust, and contradictory to the values that the U.S. publicly espouses.
Paul acknowledged that his resignation might not immediately lead to a change in policy, but he hoped that it would inspire others to stand up for what they believe in as well. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the rights and well-being of both Israelis and Palestinians and finding alternatives to displace and harm innocent civilians.
In his interview with NPR, Paul clarified that he does not expect Congress to be divided when it comes to supporting Israel in the short term. However, he urged the Biden administration to adhere to its own public commitments, specifically referencing the new arms transfer policy that prohibits transfers likely to be used for acts violating international humanitarian or human rights law.
Experts on diplomacy and government officials resigning over policy disagreements noted that while Paul’s resignation may not have a direct impact on U.S. policy, it highlights the difficult choices officials face when their personal beliefs clash with official positions. Resignation or seeking a different role within the organization are common options, but they do not necessarily lead to significant changes. The State Department has a Dissent Channel where employees can express their disagreements without fear of retaliation, but this does not guarantee policy changes either.
Overall, Josh Paul’s resignation draws attention to the complexities and moral dilemmas surrounding arms transfers and U.S. support for Israel, as well as the personal struggles of government officials who have to balance their principles with their professional obligations.
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