Annelle Sheline, a human rights official within the US State Department, has stepped down from her position, citing the Biden administration's continued arming of Israel amidst the crisis in Gaza. Sheline, a prominent Middle East analyst advocating for human rights, expressed her frustration in an interview with the Washington Post on Wednesday.
Citing the administration's flouting of American law by supplying arms to Israel, Sheline highlighted the moral, legal, security, and diplomatic complexities surrounding the conflict in Gaza. Despite her efforts to voice concerns through dissent channels and staff meetings, she found it futile as long as the US maintains its support for Israel.
In an op-ed for CNN, Sheline emphasized the challenge of representing a government that enables actions deemed potentially genocidal by the International Court of Justice. She criticized the State Department's awareness of Israel's violations of international law in Gaza and accused the Biden administration of breaching domestic laws by funding Israel's military operations.
Sheline's resignation follows the departure of another State Department official, Josh Paul, who resigned in October 2023. Paul praised Sheline's decision and denounced the Biden administration's support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
The growing dissent within the State Department reflects broader opposition among Democratic lawmakers and alumni from institutions like New York University. Hundreds of NYU alumni withheld donations totaling over $3 million, protesting the university's failure to condemn Israel's actions in Gaza and stifling pro-Palestinian voices.
As criticisms mount against the Biden administration's stance on the Gaza conflict, dissenters within and outside government institutions continue to challenge US policies regarding Israel and Palestine.
