A senior US State Department official specializing in Israeli-Palestinian affairs has resigned, adding to the series of high-profile departures from the Biden administration since the ongoing conflict in Gaza began. Andrew Miller, the deputy assistant secretary for Israeli-Palestinian affairs, cited personal reasons for his resignation, as reported by The Washington Post on Friday.
Miller’s departure comes amid the eight-month war in Gaza, which has resulted in over 37,400 Palestinian deaths. He informed his colleagues that he needed to spend more time with his family as the conflict, which began in October, had become all-consuming. Despite personal reasons being the primary cause, Miller was known to be critical of President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel, often referred to as the “bear hug” approach.
Miller’s resignation is the latest in a series of departures from the Biden administration across various government agencies due to Washington’s continued support for Israel. He had a significant role in the executive order issued in February that imposed sanctions against several Israeli settlers for attacking Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank. Before his recent position, Miller served as a senior policy adviser to the US ambassador to the United Nations and was the director for Egypt and Israel military issues on the White House National Security Council during the Obama administration.
The resignation underscores growing frustration within the Biden administration regarding the president’s staunch support for Israel’s war on Gaza. Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Washington, DC for Al Jazeera, noted that there have been several high-profile resignations where individuals have accused the president of twisting facts or turning a blind eye to the escalating death toll in Gaza. These sentiments reflect a broader dissatisfaction among US officials who feel that the administration’s policies are complicit in the ongoing violence.
Miller is not alone in his departure. In May, Major Harrison Mann, a former US Army officer, resigned from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) due to his disapproval of the US’s unqualified support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Additionally, US airman Aaron Bushnell tragically set himself on fire in protest outside Israel’s embassy in Washington, DC, in February, highlighting the extreme frustration and helplessness felt by some US military personnel regarding the conflict.
The domestic response to the US’s stance on the Gaza conflict has been marked by widespread protests. Thousands have demonstrated outside the White House, demanding an end to the violence and a more balanced US foreign policy. These protests are expected to continue, especially as the November presidential election approaches. Al Jazeera’s Halkett anticipates further protests when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses a joint session of Congress next month, noting that a significant number of Congress members plan to boycott the address in protest.
The Biden administration’s handling of the Gaza conflict has sparked significant internal and external criticism. Andrew Miller’s resignation, citing personal reasons, is part of a larger narrative of discontent among US officials and the general public. As the conflict continues, the pressure on the administration to reevaluate its policies and approach towards the Israel-Palestine issue is likely to intensify.
