Washington DC – Hundreds of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) staff have signed a letter calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, as a growing number of government employees express their disagreement with American support for the Israeli military offensive there.
The letter, which began circulating last week, reached 1,000 signatures on Wednesday, representing officials from all USAID departments and overseas missions.
“While we appreciate and recognize USAID’s efforts to call for an urgent humanitarian response in Gaza and understand that the Agency is working tirelessly to achieve this, we must remember that humanitarian assistance efforts and aid vital are largely rendered irrelevant in crisis situations. the escalation of indiscriminate bombing and violence,” the letter said.
USAID is responsible for overseeing U.S. foreign development and humanitarian assistance around the world.
In the letter, first revealed by Foreign Policy magazine and the Washington Post on November 3, the employees denounce the “numerous violations of international law” and the increasing number of civilian deaths in Gaza.
“We believe that further catastrophic loss of life can only be avoided if the United States government calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages and the restoration of water, food, fuel and electricity for the people of Gaza. by the State of Israel,” it reads.
“In the longer term, we call on the United States government to join the international community and human rights organizations in holding all parties, including the State of Israel, to respect the international law, which involves ending Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian territories and settlements. occupied land. »
In a statement to Al Jazeera shared on condition of anonymity, one of the USAID staffers who wrote the letter expressed particular dismay at Washington’s decision to veto a Council resolution UN Security Council last month calling for a humanitarian pause in the fighting.
The staffer also stressed that humanitarian aid to Gaza without stopping the war is not enough.
“Many humanitarian leaders from many conflict zones agree that aid cannot be a band-aid for a problem that requires a political solution. The people of Gaza need help, but first they need the bombs to stop,” the employee said.
“Many USAID officials, particularly those in Middle East missions and offices, are tired of trying to program foreign aid and humanitarian assistance in response to political and foreign policy mistakes and crimes war that the United States (government) supports. »
Bombardment and siege
The war began on October 7 after the Palestinian group Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing more than 1,400 people and taking more than 200 prisoners.
Israel responded with a relentless bombing campaign that killed more than 10,000 people in Gaza. Settler violence against Palestinians has also increased in the West Bank amid a security crackdown by Israeli forces.
In addition to its bombing campaign in Gaza, the Israeli government has severely restricted the entry of food, water and fuel over the past month. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has vowed to impose a “complete siege” on the territory, saying his country is “fighting against human animals.”
Although the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, US President Joe Biden has rejected calls for a ceasefire while expressing his “unwavering” support for Israel. The White House has repeatedly stated that it does not draw any “red lines” that could limit the Israeli military operation.
Human rights groups and the United Nations, however, urged Israel to stop the bombings, which have hit hospitals, refugee camps, churches, mosques and schools housing civilians.
Last week, UN experts warned that the Palestinian people are at “grave risk of genocide”, stressing that Israel’s allies “bear responsibility and must act now to prevent its disastrous course of action”.
The United Nations Genocide Convention defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group”, including killings and measures aimed at preventing the births.
The United States provides Israel with at least $3.8 billion in military aid annually, and Biden is seeking more than $14 billion in additional aid to Israel this year.
USAID focuses on aid to Gaza
USAID Administrator Samantha Power is a strong supporter of U.S. interventions to prevent genocide around the world.
In an email regarding the letter, USAID spokesperson Jessica Jennings said the agency values ”ongoing dialogue” with staff and partners and invites her team to “share our opinions with leaders “.
Jennings also highlighted USAID’s humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the U.S. administration’s efforts to provide aid to the territory, including $100 million in aid announced by Biden last month.
“The United States continues to work with Israel, Egypt, the UN and other partners to facilitate a rapid and sustainable flow of aid to Gaza,” Jennings said.
“Food, fuel, water, medicine and other essential services must be restored. Although the number of trucks entering Gaza continues to increase, it is not enough. »
As fighting in Gaza intensifies, calls for a ceasefire are growing louder within the US government.
In Congress, where the overwhelming majority of lawmakers oppose efforts to end the fighting, hundreds of staffers wrote a letter last month calling for a ceasefire.
“Millions of lives are at stake, including the 2.3 million civilians – half of whom are children – in Gaza, civilians in Israel and Jews and Muslims around the world,” warns the letter, reported for the first time by Politico.
On Wednesday, dozens of Capitol staff members staged a walkout to renew that call.
“We demand that our leaders speak out, call for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and an immediate de-escalation,” said an anonymous staff member, wearing a medical mask and sunglasses. , in front of the US Capitol in a video shared on social networks.
“We are gathered here today to mourn the loss of every beautiful and innocent life. »
Members of Congress must not be silenced.
I’m sharing this event happening ASAP by an anonymous group of Hill organizers. The event will be brief, so head to the Capitol now to participate! pic.twitter.com/ZAVFo0EBq7
– Progressive Congressional Staff Association (@cpsaDC) November 8, 2023
In October, Josh Paul, a senior State Department official, resigned in protest over U.S. policy toward Israel.
“Washington provides unambiguous and unquestioned military support to Israel despite what many in the region see as profound injustice,” Paul told Al Jazeera last month.
“We tried to present ourselves as an honest broker, but we are removing what little credibility we had left in that role. »