In an email to colleagues, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recognized divisions inside the State Department about the Biden administration's approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict, CNN reported.
The letter from the senior diplomat to workers on his recent trips comes amid mounting anger and discontent not only inside the State Department but also within the Biden administration as a whole.
CNN reported last week that hundreds of USAID staff had signed an open letter requesting a cease-fire, and there was talk of a "disagreement memorandum" at the State Department.
A State Department official quit openly last month in protest of the administration's approach on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
"I know that for many of you, the suffering caused by this crisis is deeply personal," Blinken stated in an email. "It is heartbreaking to see images of babies, children, the elderly, women, and other civilians suffering in this crisis on a daily basis." "I can feel it."
"Some people in the Department may not agree with the approaches we are taking or may have an opinion about what we can do better," the Secretary of State stated.
The Secretary of State then stated that forums for officials to submit comments had been created in Washington.
"We're listening: what you share informs our policy and our messages," he went on to say.
Blinken reviewed his trip to the Middle East and Asia last week in an email, stating that "the primary goal of the United States remains the same: to end this terrible conflict as quickly as possible while supporting Israel's right and obligation, in full compliance with international humanitarian law, to ensure that a terrorist attack like that of October 7 never happens again."
The envoy stated that "too many Palestinian civilians have died" and that "much more can and should be done to reduce their suffering."
"As I have said both privately and publicly, we believe that the voices of the Palestinian people must be at the center of post-crisis governance in Gaza," Blinken said in a statement. "We believe in a Palestinian-led administration in Gaza, with Gaza and the West Bank united." A long-term framework is required to help Gaza restoration."/BGNES
