In a shocking revelation, a former senior State Department staffer has accused US officials of deliberately turning a blind eye to Israeli war crimes and suppressing criticism over arming the country. Josh Paul, who recently resigned from his position, revealed in an interview with AFP that many officials are disturbed by the actions of the Israeli military in response to Hamas's surprise attack on October 7. However, they choose to ignore the rules governing arms transfers, which require consideration of whether US weapons will be used to violate international law. Paul, who had been overseeing arms transfers to US allies, including Israel, for 11 years, stated that it is his opinion, supported by other government officials, that Israel is committing war crimes in Gaza.

He criticized the United States for continuing to supply weapons, knowing that they would be used to kill civilians. However, the fear of political backlash and heavy criticism prevents US officials from publicly expressing their beliefs. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which was triggered by the Hamas attack on Israeli soil, has resulted in a high number of casualties, with Israeli figures reporting about 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians. Health officials in the Hamas-run territory of Gaza claim that the Israeli bombardment and ongoing ground invasion have killed over 11,500 people, predominantly civilians.

Despite mounting international outrage and allegations of war crimes from observers on both sides, the United States has stood firmly behind its Middle Eastern ally, even providing increased support through the weapons pipeline. In the past, there have been internal debates within the State Department about arms transfers to countries with questionable human rights records, including certain Israeli military units. However, Paul revealed that these concerns were dismissed without any discussion or debate, with officials being instructed to expedite arm transfers.

The loose rules governing arms transfers, according to Paul, allow policymakers to willfully avoid making decisions on whether the Israeli military has violated human rights in Gaza. This lack of accountability has sparked protests and heated debates across the United States, particularly on college campuses. Furthermore, the Justice Department has reported an increase in both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic crimes amidst the ongoing war.

Paul likened the division within the US government, including elected officials, to the tensions that preceded the country's invasion of Iraq in 2003. However, he cautioned that resigning is not a viable option for most government employees, as it could potentially lead to loss of healthcare and salaries. Stepping down on this particular issue is considered a career killer, putting government employees in a difficult position to advocate for change within the system.