Posted on 10/19/2023 5:48:49 AM PDT by Red Badger
"It was clear that there's no arguing with this one. Given that I couldn't shift anything, I resigned," he said.
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An 11-year veteran of the U.S. State Department has resigned his position over President Joe Biden's handling of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Josh Paul, since 2012, served as the Director of Congressional & Public Affairs for the department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, his LinkedIn profile states. He announced his resignation via that platform on Wednesday.
Speaking to the Huffington Post, Paul cited his frustrations with the Department's unwillingness to depart from its position on the conflict. The administration has decidedly sided with Israel and Biden visited that country on Wednesday in a show of solidarity.
"I have had my fair share of debates and discussions and efforts to shift policy on controversial arms sales," Paul told the outlet. "It was clear that there's no arguing with this one. Given that I couldn't shift anything, I resigned."
His resignation followed an Oct. 7 Hamas raid on Israel that saw its forces seize border towns, take hostages, and kill civilians. The brutal incursion prompted an ongoing bombardment of the Gaza Strip by the Israel Defense Forces and the conflict has resulted in cross border fire into both and Syria and Lebanon.
"Let me be clear: Hamas' attack on Israel was not just a monstrosity; it was a monstrosity of monstrosities," Paul said in his LinkedIn post. "I also believe that potential escalations by Iran-linked groups such as Hezbollah, or by Iran itself, would be a further cynical exploitation of the existing tragedy."
"But I believe to the core of my soul that 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 – and is not in the long term American interest," he asserted.
Biden plans to deliver a primetime address on Thursday in which he is expected to speak to the American public on the importance of supporting Israel.
While I give the guy credit for taking a strong stand, I can’t follow his obfuscations. Hamas committed a monstrous act, yet Israel is retaliating too hard?
Did I read that right?
They want Israel to stand down...........................
“deeper suffering” always gaurrnteed, regardless of policies. No Jesus, No Peace.
Israel defending itself from the U.S. "humanitarian aid" used to arm Hezbollah and Hamas is not morally acceptable to Mr. Paul. Best of luck in your next career path, Josh.
Joshie needs to get back in his lane. World events are out of his league.
Virtually every department and agency, especially the big 3, need a complete housecleaning and downsizing.
He was hired when Billary, Inc. was sec of state and she was no fan of Israel then.
Sounds like VJ and Holder are running the State Dept.
He was hired when Billary, Inc. was sec of state and she was no fan of Israel then.
Mr Paul seems to think he at the state department not the elected President should be in charge of arms sales and arms transfers to foreign nations. I think he let his title go to his head.
Dang! Liberals don’t usually resign/quit; They usually stay embedded to gum up the works as much as possible when they don’t get their way...
yahoo.com-——Biden’s recent meeting in Israel
He told Netanyahu he would offer support and he expected Israel to prioritize protection of civilians and humanitarian concerns.
Biden formally announced the already-arranged deal to allow humanitarian assistance to move into Gaza from Egypt, and $100 million in new aid for those in need among Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.......which was hammered w/ Israel in Washington BEFORE Biden left.
Biden also announced that later this week he would go to the Congress with a military support package for Israel of unprecedented size.
Backstory Since 1973, Israel has received more than $120 billion tax
dollars in military assistance, including “three special aid” packages.
<><>billions for signing the Israel-Egypt peace treaty
<><>billions for Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai.
<><>billions for redeployment of Israeli forces
<><>rebuilding Israeli air bases in the Negev cost $5 billion.
Congressional Research Service
US Foreign aid to Israel
60 page detailed report
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/RL/RL33222/44
The concerned Israeli lobby made sure Congress is required by law to ensure that U.S. military aid in the Middle East region doesn’t damage Israel’s military superiority over its neighbors. That requirement enjoys broad bipartisan support and has served as a benchmark for ensuring Israel receives robust U.S. support.
Sounds like good riddance.
There can be peace tomorrow in the Middle East. If the Arab stop being terrorists the Jews would leave them alone.
This guy is a prime example of why “the suffering” continues. Rather the take a morally courageous intellectually correct stand in support of Israel, he clings to his cowardly moral equivocations.
They want Israel to stand down...........................“
They do but they have seen the polls. At least publicly they have to back Israel. Pictures of beheaded babies will do that. Traitor Joe will play this for all its worth. Behind the scenes he may handcuff Israel but every public showing it is going to be “brave Joe is standing strong with Israel”.
The State Department has always been a separate ‘state’ unto itself. A permanent caste of ivy league-ish arrogant know-it-alls who think only they know how diplomacy and state-actions actually work.
So, in effect, the feelings and goals of a Secretary of State OR a President really don’t matter. If needed they’ll go around or behind the backs of those superiors with whom they disagree.
Did I read that right?
My take was different. I believe he was saying that Israel going into Gaza in force would only make things worse in the long term from a US perspective. The suffering on the side of the Palestinian, will be create a greater divide, more suffering and no end to the cycle. That would drag the US into more terrorism.
The guy stood up for what he felt was best for the United States and his belief. I don’t agree with him, but at least I respect that.
Yes, need to get these ideological kooks out of government.
I think he believes that responding to the provocation will just continue the cycle of vengence, provide new martyrs for the Islamists, prevent “moderate” Arab stats like KSA from normalizing relations with Israel, etc., while making the US a target of wrath for financing whatever Israel does.
His expectation of suffering is not unreasonable. The problem is that a weak response would invite and enable more attacks. His flaw is in focusing on modifying intentions. Based on history and thousands of pronouncements, Israel has to assume its enemies, or radical factions thereof, will never stop seeking to annihilate all Jews and the Jewish state. Israel’s only choice is to destroy the ABILITY of its enemies to do it harm.
Cue the Bye Cowboy.
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