Twelve former US officials who resigned from the Biden administration over its Gaza policy released a joint statement on Wednesday calling on 2028 Democratic presidential candidates to pledge not to hire officials responsible for that policy.
The officials, who quit between late 2023 and 2024, stated they had resigned over what they characterized as "illegal and unconditional support for Israel's actions in Gaza." Their statement, titled "Gaza Resignees," said accountability required ensuring those officials "cannot return" to government.
The group asked 2028 candidates to commit to three pledges. The first two pledged to uphold the Constitution and pursue US national interest. The third called on nominees to commit to an administration with "no space" for "architects, leaders, defenders, or key enablers" of what the officials described as US policies constituting "complicity in a genocide" in Gaza.
The officials said several architects of Biden's Gaza policy were now "whitewashing their own roles" and pursuing a path back into policymaking. "When faced with the opportunity to stand up in defense of our laws, they not only stayed silent, but worked resolutely in pursuit of illegal and wrongful ends in violation of both US and international law," the statement read.
The Biden administration has faced ongoing criticism from progressive lawmakers and activist groups since the war began in October 2023. US Representative Rashida Tlaib and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have opposed continued US support for Israel.