Washington D.C., USA – Two senior officials in the Biden administration have made the decision to resign over concerns regarding the truthfulness of the administration’s stance on Israel’s hindrance of aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Alexander Smith, a contractor for the US Agency for International Development (USAID), chose to step down after being asked to cancel a presentation on maternal and child mortality among Palestinians. Another official, Stacy Gilbert from the state department, also resigned following disagreements on Israel’s obstruction of aid flow into Gaza.
Smith, a gender, maternal health, child health, and nutrition advisor at USAID, expressed his frustration with the agency’s inconsistent approach towards different countries and humanitarian crises, specifically highlighting the treatment of Palestinians. Gilbert, from the bureau of population, refugees, and migration, cited an official finding by the department that disputed claims of deliberate obstruction of aid by Israel in Gaza.
These resignations come as Gaza faces a growing famine, with only limited humanitarian aid entering the territory controlled by Israel. The collapse of a US-made pier intended for food deliveries, due to a storm, has exacerbated the situation. Despite promises to cut off arms supplies for an offensive in Rafah, President Biden’s administration has yet to take action, leading to criticism from within the government.
Both Smith and Gilbert join a growing number of officials who have left their positions over concerns regarding US policy on Gaza. The lack of significant humanitarian access to the region has raised questions about the effectiveness of aid efforts in the area. The administration has pledged millions in aid to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, while maintaining substantial military support to Israel.
Smith’s resignation was prompted by the cancellation of his presentation on maternal and child mortality, which he believed was relevant to the crisis in Gaza. The disagreement over the content of his speech led to his early contract termination by Highbury, his direct employer. Despite positive job appraisals in previous years, Smith was let go citing “personality differences” and dissatisfaction with his work.
These incidents shed light on the internal challenges within the Biden administration regarding its approach to the Israel-Gaza conflict. As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, questions about the administration’s response and commitment to supporting Palestinian rights continue to surface. The impact of these resignations on US policy towards Gaza remains to be seen as the conflict and its consequences persist.