State Department employees reportedly expressed a strong sentiment for imposing harsher measures against Israel during private meetings with Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state, according to Jewish Insider. Campbell initiated a series of listening sessions with staff members upon assuming his role in February.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that there was a prevailing view among State Department personnel, including those with extensive experience in the Middle East, advocating for increased sanctions and punitive actions against Israel.
Some employees who were not directly involved in Middle East affairs also voiced support for taking stronger measures against Israel.
Kurt M. Campbell (Credits: 1Lurer)
Tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have escalated, with Hamas launching attacks on Israel in recent months. The conflict has not only affected the region but has also sparked debates and dissent within institutions across the United States, including the federal government.
The situation intensified further when Iran carried out a direct attack on Israel, prompting the Israel Defense Forces to respond with a strike on Iranian soil. In response to Iran’s actions, the United States and the United Kingdom imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting individuals and entities involved in the attack.
However, in the midst of these developments, there have been concerns raised about leadership within the State Department. Some employees have criticized what they perceive as a lack of clear communication and contextualization of the U.S. policy regarding Israel and the broader Middle East situation.
They believe there is a need for better articulation of the challenges Israel faces, including threats from groups like Hamas and Iran’s involvement in the region.
Kurt Campbell (Credits: Global Times)
Additionally, reports have emerged about visits by members of an Iran-linked influence network to the Biden White House. This has raised questions about potential influences on U.S. policy toward Iran and its regional activities.
In response to these revelations, a spokesperson for the State Department emphasized the importance of hearing diverse perspectives within the department. They stated that the department values input from employees with varying political beliefs and encourages them to express their opinions through appropriate channels.
The spokesperson emphasized that these listening sessions are just one avenue for employees to convey their viewpoints and that departmental leadership is receptive to hearing from all members of the workforce.
