Veteran State Department official, Hala Rharrit, resigns in protest against the Biden administration's Gaza policy. (Shutterstock)
Share
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
In a recent interview with NPR’s All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly, Hala Rharrit, a veteran Arabic-speaking public affairs official with the State Department, announced her resignation in protest of the Biden administration’s approach to the conflict in Gaza.
Rharrit, who served for 18 years and held the position of deputy director of the Dubai media hub, becomes the third public resignation within the department over this issue.
Rharrit explained that her decision to resign was a culmination of ongoing dissatisfaction with U.S. policy in Gaza. She expressed concerns about how the policy was undermining American interests, destabilizing the Middle East, and failing to uphold principles such as human rights and press freedom.
Related Story: Biden Says ‘Order Must Prevail’ on Campuses, but He Won’t ...
Forced to Follow the Status Quo
According to Rharrit, attempts to voice dissent through official channels were met with resistance and shunning, ultimately leading to her resignation.
Rharrit said in the interview, “I can only tell you about what I’ve experienced, right? But it’s a very strange time in the State Department, I would say. Something that I’ve never experienced before in my 18 years of service, where people are just extremely uneasy about our policy and also extremely uneasy about the ability to speak about our policy internally.”
During the interview, Rharrit highlighted the need for a shift away from violence and unconditional military support, advocating instead for diplomacy and leveraging U.S. influence to promote a two-state solution in the region.
She urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to reconsider the current approach, emphasizing the long-term consequences of continued conflict in Gaza.
Related Story: Fresno State Shows the Nation How a Peaceful Palestinian Protest is Done
Rharrit’s resignation and outspoken critique underscore a growing internal discontent within the State Department regarding U.S. policies in the Middle East.
Her call for a more diplomatic strategy reflects broader concerns among diplomats and foreign service officers about the effectiveness and ethical implications of U.S. actions in the region.
To hear the interview, visit NPR.Â
RELATED TOPICS:
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
11 hours ago
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
13 hours ago
Top Brazilian Judge Orders Suspension of X Platform in Brazil Amid Feud With Musk
1 day ago
How a Real Estate Boom Drove Political Corruption in Los Angeles
1 day ago
Palestinian TikTok Star Who Shared Details of Gaza Life Under Siege Is Killed by Israeli Airstrike
1 day ago
Will Gov. Newsom Call a Special Session to Deal With Gas Prices?
30 mins ago
Categories
![Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at an event in anticipation of signing a bill on his proposed oil profit penalty plan in Sacramento on March 28, 2023. (CalMatters/ Miguel Gutierrez Jr.)](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31175839/newsom-big-oil.webp)
Will Gov. Newsom Call a Special Session to Deal With Gas Prices?
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16183042/Eagles-vs-49ers.jpg)
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
![A black poodle's face with his tongue sticking out](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/29135336/Rescued-from-an-abandoned-home-after-weeks-of-fending-for-himself-Adam-a-shy-but-sweet-poodle-mix-is-now-seeking-a-loving-forever-home.-Mells-Mutts-1024x538.jpg)
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/30180712/AP24242759968532-1024x576.jpg)
Top Brazilian Judge Orders Suspension of X Platform in Brazil Amid Feud With Musk
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28091346/082824-Lede-1024x576.jpg)