President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel during its war on Gaza has ignited fierce criticism, overshadowing his domestic achievements. His actions have raised significant concerns about his legacy, particularly as he exits office after a single term. Former officials and appointees argue that Biden’s policies have fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving a lasting mark on U.S. foreign policy.
Mounting Civilian Toll in Gaza
Since the war began in October 2023, nearly 45,000 Palestinians have died, with over 100,000 injured and 1.9 million displaced. Despite these staggering figures, the Biden administration supplied Israel with $17.9 billion in military aid during the war’s first year, the highest in U.S. history. Former officials accuse Biden of enabling mass atrocities, with the United Nations describing Israel’s actions as “consistent with genocide.”
Resignations Spark Outrage
Numerous resignations rocked the administration in response to Biden’s policies. Josh Paul, a former State Department official, left early in the conflict. He criticized the U.S. for ignoring red lines and accused the administration of complicity in war crimes. Paul emphasized that Biden’s failure to enforce limits on Israel weakened the U.S.’s global standing.
Read: Seven Children Killed in Israeli Air Strike on Gaza
Lily Greenberg-Cole, the first Jewish appointee to resign over Gaza, expressed profound disappointment. A lifelong Democrat, she initially championed Biden’s climate initiatives but believes his legacy will focus on the destruction in Gaza. “Biden has dehumanized Palestinians and Arabs,” she said, adding that U.S. laws against supporting human rights violators were blatantly ignored.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Ignored
For Alex Smith, a senior adviser at USAID, the crisis in Gaza represented the collapse of humanitarian priorities. Smith highlighted alarming malnutrition levels, with 20% of children under five suffering acute malnutrition. Attempts to address these issues within USAID were stifled, with leadership censoring language and maps referencing Gaza. After his efforts were blocked, Smith resigned, later joining the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to document war crimes.
Smith also noted the stark disparity in U.S. responses to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. While Ukraine received robust support for its health and infrastructure rebuilding, Gaza was left without aid for its devastated hospitals and civilian population.
A Divisive Legacy
Biden’s policies have deeply divided opinions. Critics argue his administration created a culture that normalized anti-Palestinian violence, both domestically and abroad. Hate crimes against Palestinians in the U.S. surged under his tenure. As Biden departs, even his achievements, like the Inflation Reduction Act, are overshadowed by the Gaza crisis.
For many, Biden’s presidency symbolizes American complicity in genocide. Furthermore, former officials assert his legacy will serve as a cautionary tale of unchecked foreign aid enabling humanitarian disasters. Biden’s handling of Gaza has left an indelible mark, casting a shadow over his domestic triumphs and shaping how history will remember him.
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