Philip Martin, a former staffer in the Obama-Biden administration, expresses a sense of betrayal towards President Joe Biden’s unwavering backing of Israel amidst its ongoing offensive in Gaza. This loyalty comes despite the fact that just seven months ago, the terrorist organization Hamas claimed the lives of 1,200 individuals in Israel and held 250 individuals hostage.
Martin, a former director in the U.S. Department of Education, expressed his reasons for joining the Obama campaign in 2008 to USA TODAY. He mentioned his deep frustration with the Bush administration, which he believed had exploited the nation’s suffering to rationalize the loss of innocent lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.
According to him, Biden’s foreign policy towards Israel is now having a similar impact.
“It’s infuriating and feels like a betrayal to witness the Biden administration unconditionally backing the Israeli war machine that is causing the deaths, displacement, starvation, and overall terrorization of innocent Palestinian civilians,” he expressed his strong dissatisfaction.
Close to 300 former Obama-Biden administration and campaign alumni have penned a letter urging President Biden to suspend military aid to Israel. The letter, addressed to both Biden and former President Barack Obama, highlights their concerns regarding the ongoing conflict in the region.
A group of 290 signatories, including 201 individuals who signed the letter with their names, and others who are identified by their titles, have come together to urge President Biden to take action. They are calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as the withdrawal of troops. It is worth noting that this is the second group letter that former Obama-Biden staffers have sent to President Biden since November.
“We are reaching out to both of you because we recognize you as influential leaders who hold the power to shape the destiny of Palestinians and our democratic society in the United States,” the letter expresses. “We earnestly urge both of you to take a leading role at this crucial moment, to prevent any further regression into war and authoritarianism, both within our democracy and on a global scale.”
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the number of casualties in Gaza has exceeded 35,000. However, the impact of the conflict goes beyond the loss of lives. A recent U.N. report issued on March 18 has warned of an impending famine, which poses a significant threat to over 2 million individuals in the region. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with dire consequences for its population.
According to a recent Gallup survey, which was released on March 27, the disapproval rate for Israel’s military action stands at 55% among all Americans. Interestingly, the disapproval rate among Democrats has increased from 63% in November to 75% now.
Several donors, including individuals who actively served on Biden’s 2020 election campaign, have withdrawn their support for his reelection efforts. The waning support can be attributed to concerns over Biden’s stance on Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza, which poses a potential threat to the unity of the Democratic coalition.
Sara Eckhouse, a granddaughter of a Holocaust refugee, has a unique perspective on the matter. Having worked as a field organizer for the Obama campaign in 2008 and later as a senior adviser in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she has witnessed firsthand the atrocities and war crimes that have been committed in the name of “protecting Jews.” This experience has compelled her to speak out and shed light on the issue.
“This is not a matter of politics; it is a matter of humanity and the inherent worth of human life,” she emphasized. “The President often mentions his commitment to restoring the soul of America through his candidacy. I sincerely hope that this letter serves as a reminder that we, as citizens, are holding him responsible for fulfilling that promise by addressing the plight of millions of Palestinians and putting an end to their suffering.”
The letter warns Biden that by defending the war crimes and agenda of a foreign far-right government, it is not uncommitted voters or third-party candidates who are putting our democracy and the risk of a Trump presidency.
According to USA TODAY, Rumana Ahmed, who previously served as a senior adviser at the National Security Council during the Obama administration, emphasized that the policy actions advocated by the group are not only morally right but also strategically crucial for the collective security of all individuals.