She Quit The Biden Admin Over Gaza. Now She’s Speaking Out.

Summary

Annelle Sheline, a former State Department staffer, resigned in protest against the U.S. government's unconditional support for Israel's military actions in Gaza. In a heartfelt reflection, she expressed her disillusionment with the U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding human rights. She highlighted the complicity felt by government employees in the face of civilian suffering and the ineffectiveness of internal advocacy. Sheline emphasized the urgent need for a change in U.S. policy to restore credibility and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, warning of the potential long-term consequences for global perceptions of America.

Takeaways

• 😀 Annelle Sheline resigned from the State Department due to U.S. support for Israel's military actions in Gaza.
• 😀 She felt compelled to resign to explain her actions to her daughter in the future.
• 😀 The U.S. government's credibility on human rights was significantly damaged after October 7th.
• 😀 Sheline struggled with the perception that government work could bring change while witnessing the atrocities in Gaza.
• 😀 Her academic background in political science and Middle Eastern studies influenced her views on U.S. foreign policy.
• 😀 She found that her role became increasingly untenable as she witnessed civilian casualties from U.S. military support.
• 😀 There was a sense of complicity among U.S. officials who remained silent in the face of human rights violations.
• 😀 Sheline emphasized the selective use of human rights critiques by the U.S. government, which targets adversaries but spares allies.
• 😀 She expressed shock at the lack of international response to the crisis and the U.S. vetoing ceasefire resolutions.
• 😀 She believes that without a significant policy shift, including supporting a Palestinian state, U.S. credibility will remain in jeopardy.

Q & A

What prompted Annelle Sheline to resign from the State Department?

She resigned due to the Biden administration's unconditional support for Israel's military operations and the blockade of Gaza.

How did Sheline feel about her role in the State Department following the events of October 7th?

She felt that her ability to advocate for human rights became impossible and that she was complicit by not speaking out.

What was Sheline's professional background before joining the State Department?

Sheline holds a PhD in political science and has extensive experience studying the Middle East, including time spent in Egypt studying Arabic.

What specific actions did Sheline witness that contributed to her decision to resign?

She observed the provision of lethal arms to Israel and the resulting civilian casualties in Gaza.

How did Sheline's colleagues react to her decision to resign?

Many colleagues encouraged her to go public with her resignation, as they were horrified by the situation but felt unable to resign themselves.

What does Sheline believe about U.S. human rights policy?

She believes the U.S. uses human rights selectively, criticizing adversaries but not holding allies like Israel accountable.

What does Sheline identify as a major issue with U.S. foreign policy?

She identifies the prioritization of U.S. military power as a primary objective, which undermines the legitimacy of human rights.

What kind of change does Sheline believe is necessary for the U.S. to regain credibility?

She believes the U.S. needs to withhold weapons from Israel, increase aid to Palestine, and work towards establishing a Palestinian state.

What does Sheline say about the international community's response to the crisis in Gaza?

She is shocked by the lack of action from the international community, especially the U.S. ambassador's veto against a ceasefire.

What concerns does Sheline express about the future of U.S. foreign policy?

She is worried about the broader trajectory of U.S. foreign policy and its effects on global relations and humanitarian issues.