When I Doubt–Resign

Since the newest conflict exploded in Gaza my post have been about there needs to be ma more thought out response by Israel and too many armchair analyst too those comments as my support for HAMAS….that is BS I have never supported an attack of terrorism whether disguised as self-defense or as an outright attack.

My opposition to an all out push to destroy a foe is from years of watching such actions create more problems than they eliminate.

I recently read a report about employee of the US State Department….

An official with the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) announced his resignation on Wednesday due to President Biden’s full-throated support for Israel’s onslaught in Gaza that came after the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.

Josh Paul said in a statement on his LinkedIn account that he had worked for the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs for 11 years. He strongly condemned the Hamas’ attack on Israel, describing it as a “monstrosity of monstrosities,” but said Israel’s response will only make things worse.

“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. This Administration’s response – and much of Congress’ as well – is an impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia. That is to say, it is immensely disappointing, and entirely unsurprising,” Paul wrote.

Paul continued to criticize the history of the US’s “blind support” for Israel. “Decades of the same approach have shown that security for peace leads to neither security, nor to peace. The fact is, blind support for one side is destructive in the long term to the interests of the people on both sides. I fear we are repeating the same mistakes we have made these past decades, and I decline to be a part of it for longer,” he said.

Discussing his time at the PM, Paul said he had made moral compromises but that he had reached his limit. “In my 11 years I have made more moral compromises than I can recall, each heavily, but each with my promise to myself in mind, and intact. I am leaving today because I believe that in our current course with regards to the continued – indeed, expanded and expedited – provision of lethal arms to Israel – I have reached the end of that bargain,” he said.

According to the State Department’s website, the PM is the department’s “principal link” to the Defense Department and “provides policy direction in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy and plans, and defense trade.” Paul said he was proud of some work he had done at the PM, including “on pending Administration decisions to transfer lethal weapons to countries that abuse human rights” and involvement in the policy of fueling the Ukraine war.

I agree since for decades HAMAS has been a thorn in Israel’s side and after several ‘wars’ the problem remains.

Then there is what the SecState has to say…..

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday rejected the idea of the US calling for a ceasefire in Gaza when confronted with the massive number of child casualties in Israel’s onslaught.

Blinken claimed that the death of children on both sides hits him “right in the heart” but did not criticize Israel’s vicious bombing campaign. He pointed to US efforts to get Israel to allow aid trucks to enter Gaza through Egypt, and Brennan then asked why the US isn’t pushing for at least a temporary ceasefire.

“Israel has to do everything it can to make sure this doesn’t happen again,” Blinken said, referring to the October 7 Hamas attack. “Freezing things in place where they are now would allow Hamas to remain where it is and to repeat what it’s done some time in the future. No country could accept that,” Blinken said.

Blinken made a similar argument earlier this year when rejecting the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine ahead of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, saying a pause in fighting would only benefit Russia. Now, it’s clear Ukraine’s counteroffensive has failed after months of brutal fighting and heavy Ukrainian casualties.

(antiwar.com)

Blinken sounds more like the SecDef than the US top diplomat…..his words are unacceptable.

Ask yourself….just who makes the State Department policy?

Should not be that hard of a question to answer.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

 

13 thoughts on “When I Doubt–Resign

  1. We certainly have proof that leaving a thorn in one’s side, merely begets repeated (and escalating) attacks. Why continue that strategy? Let’s not forget that HAMAS is the governing body in Gaza, and the destruction of Israel and annihilation of Jews is in it’s very charter.

    Interesting though, how many of the usual suspects keep claiming that the Ukrainian counter-offensive has ‘failed’. People who dedicate a reasonable amount of time on the subject, know that’s not true.

  2. I am curious though, since you know my take on the situation…..what your solution might look like….to end the fighting, yet still bring justice and accountability to the perpetrators of murderous violence.

    1. For one curtail all murderous violence….my solution is not relevant since I have no dog in that hunt….try a bit of diplomacy and that does not mean cowtowing to any one side….but that is impossible but that does not matter since only one side gets a voice.

      Never mind that Paul did what he thought was right. chuq

  3. The situation in Israel/Gaza is polarising opinion on both sides. I fear it may soon be quite dangerous to have a strict opinion either way. I have been interested in the occasional reports by Israelis who said they informed the government 3 days before the attack that some crops had been burned and there was suspicious activity on the Gaza side. (Including barely-reported comments from the released elderly lady hostage)
    So far, it would appear that Israel knew of the impending attack, and chose to let it happen. I wonder if anyone will ever admit that? I doubt they will.
    Best wishes, Pete.

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