Dissatisfaction in the Arab nations towards the United States is escalating due to its backing of Israel amid the conflict with Hamas.
Diplomats representing the U.S. have voiced concerns to the Biden administration, warning that America’s position might alienate Arab populations for decades. This sentiment emerged in a diplomatic message uncovered by CNN.
U.S. President Joe Biden has shown support for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following attacks from Hamas on October 7, which resulted in around 1,400 Israeli fatalities and over 200 individuals being held in Gaza.
The Israeli response to the Hamas-initiated slaughter has drawn criticism from pro-Palestinian groups and some progressive Democrats in the U.S., with allegations of potential war crimes being raised.
A dispatch from a senior official at the American Embassy in Oman, addressing the challenge in effectively communicating the U.S. stance, was shared with the White House’s National Security Council, the CIA, and the FBI. This cable emphasized insights gathered from various credible and level-headed sources.
Additional insights came from a communication from the U.S. embassy in Cairo, highlighting a piece in an Egyptian state-run newspaper. The article criticized President Biden for his insensitivity towards Palestinians, a sentiment it claimed surpassed that of previous U.S. presidents.
This conflict with Hamas is causing rifts within the U.S. government, irrespective of political affiliations, as noted by The Hill. State Department employees are reportedly expressing their disagreements through letters and memos.
Josh Paul, a former State Department employee who resigned last month from his role focused on arms transfers to Israel, shared with The Hill the nature of these concerns. He noted a moral standpoint among those uncomfortable with the high civilian death toll and lack of policy debate on human rights issues. Furthermore, there is apprehension about the Biden administration’s policies isolating the U.S. in the region, potentially affecting strategic relations with the Middle East and wider implications for U.S. global policy, particularly in relation to China.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently met with Arab foreign ministers in Jordan, following discussions in Israel with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is adamant about not agreeing to a cease-fire until the release of all hostages by Hamas.
Jordan’s Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, underscored the urgent need for an immediate cease-fire, emphasizing the deepening hatred that could shape future generations in the region.
Lastly, the White House confirmed that Israel had agreed to implement four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in its military actions in northern Gaza. This decision aligns with the Biden administration’s efforts to establish additional safe evacuation routes for civilians amidst the hostilities.
