Ex-US officials urge 2028 candidates to shun Gaza policy architects
Twelve former U.S. officials who quit over the Biden administration's Gaza policy have issued a joint statement urging 2028 presidential candidates not to hire those who enabled Israel's military actions. The signatories, many from the State Department, intelligence agencies and the military, accuse the officials of violating U.S. and international law by supplying weapons while civilians were attacked and aid blocked. The statement warns that many of the same officials are seeking to return to government within two years of leaving office. A video accompanied the release, showing former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Israel says its Gaza operations are self-defence after the 7 Oct 2023 Hamas-led attack.
Key facts
- Signatories include former State Department officials Josh Paul, Annelle Sheline and Stacy Gilbert.
- Annelle Sheline said US support for Israel made promoting human rights in the Middle East difficult.
- Rights groups, experts and UN inquiries have assessed Israel's assault on Gaza as genocide.
- More than 250,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured since the war began in October 2023.
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Why it matters
It seeks to shape Democratic hiring choices ahead of the 2028 presidential race.
What changed
First published from Anadolu Agency, The Straits Times, Al-Monitor, The National and Al Jazeera English