Mike Casey, a former US State Department official, has strongly criticized the US government’s policy toward Gaza, accusing it of prioritizing Israel’s interests over its own values and the suffering of Palestinians. Casey, who served as deputy political counselor at the United States Office of Palestinian Affairs, described his time as a diplomat in Jerusalem as a deeply humiliating experience.
“It’s frankly embarrassing… to see how we continually bow to the demands of the Israeli government, even when we know their actions are wrong,”. He expressed frustration over the US’s unyielding support for Israel, despite the ongoing devastation caused by Israel’s military operations in Gaza. “I’ve never seen anything like this in any other country where I’ve served,” he added.
After serving four years in the post, Casey resigned in July, citing the US government’s unwavering backing of Israel, even as its military campaign in Gaza led to widespread destruction and loss of life. His resignation, first reported by The Guardian, highlights the growing discontent among US officials over President Joe Biden’s strong military and diplomatic support for Israel, particularly since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. This reflects a broader debate over US foreign policy and its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As of now, over 45,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, a conflict that has plunged the region into a severe humanitarian crisis. The United Nations and prominent human rights organizations have accused the Israeli military of committing war crimes, including genocide, as the situation worsens.
The US has stated that it is working to secure a ceasefire and facilitate the release of captives held in Gaza. It has also urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties in its military operations. However, President Joe Biden has refused to use US aid to Israel as leverage to end the war, rejecting calls to halt weapons transfers to the key ally. This stance has sparked significant anger and criticism, with some critics labeling Biden “Genocide Joe.”
The US provides Israel with at least $3.8 billion in military aid annually, and research by Brown University suggests that the Biden administration has sent an additional $17.9 billion in support since the Gaza war began.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mike Casey, a former US State Department official, revealed that his work in Jerusalem largely focused on documenting the dire situation in Gaza, covering humanitarian, economic, and political issues. He emphasized that the US government is fully aware of the catastrophic conditions in Gaza, including the high civilian death toll and lack of humanitarian aid. Despite this, he said, the US continues to support Israel’s actions. “They receive all of our reporting, they have everything we write, and they just disregard it,” Casey said.
When asked about the rationale behind US policy, Casey explained that a key factor is the lack of concern for Palestinian suffering. “We ignore Palestinian suffering. We accept the Israeli government’s narrative, even when we know it’s not true, and we pursue Israel’s interests rather than our own,” he said. “That was what ultimately pushed me out the door.”
