Former Biden Officials Who Quit Over Gaza Ask 2028 Democrats to Denounce the Policy
Twelve former officials who resigned from the administration of former President Joe Biden over its Gaza policy have called on potential Democratic candidates for the 2028 U.S. presidential race to denounce that policy. The call was made in a joint statement titled "Gaza Resignees," published on Wednesday, October 28.
The 12 left their government posts between late 2023 and 2024. According to Al Jazeera, they did so over what they described as "illegal and unconditional support for Israel's actions in Gaza." Among the signatories are former State Department officials Josh Paul, Annelle Sheline and Stacy Gilbert, and former diplomat Hala Rharrit.
The statement asks candidates for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, the party's choice to run in the general election, to make specific commitments. Candidates would pledge not to hire any administration official directly responsible for enabling Israel's military actions in Gaza. They would also pledge to acknowledge U.S. complicity in those actions, meaning U.S. involvement through arms (weapons), funding and diplomatic backing, which refers to political support in international forums.
The letter goes further in its criticism of individuals. It accuses senior Biden administration officials, described as the "architects" of Gaza policy, of "actively whitewashing" their roles, according to The National. Reuters reported the statement under the headline calling on 2028 candidates to denounce the policy's architects.
The appeal arrives as the issue is drawing attention among voters in the early contests. A survey reported in August found that a majority of Democrats in the first six states to vote for the 2028 Democratic nominee believe Israel is committing genocide.
