U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is facing increasing calls to resign after a recent report revealed that he misled Congress regarding Israel’s obstruction of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The 62-year-old, known for his staunch support of Israel, is accused of misleading the American public to ensure the continued flow of U.S. weapons to the country, amidst growing concerns that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The report indicates that Blinken contradicted findings from his own department and USAID in a May report to Congress, asserting that Israel was not “prohibiting or otherwise restricting the transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance” to Gaza. It is believed he provided this misleading information to avoid violating U.S. laws that prohibit supplying arms to nations that block American humanitarian aid.
As a small nation lacking the capacity to manufacture weapons at the scale necessary for sustained military operations, Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza would be severely hindered without continuous military support from the U.S. and its western allies.
While Israel’s military prowess is often credited to its advanced technology and skilled forces, it remains heavily dependent on foreign military aid, particularly from the U.S., due to limitations within its own economy, industrial base, and workforce.
Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), is among those calling for Blinken’s resignation. “When a senior American official lies to Congress in the middle of genocide so that the government can keep funding that genocide, he is deliberately flouting the law and prolonging the suffering of millions of innocent people,” said Awad.
Some have suggested that Blinken should face impeachment, as misleading Congress is grounds for such action under U.S. law. Sam Perlo-Freeman, an academic and former researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, stated that Blinken “should resign or be impeached.”
Stacy Gilbert, a State Department official, resigned in protest over the final report to Congress, citing abundant evidence showing Israel is responsible for blocking aid” and describing the denial as absurd and shameful. Gilbert is one of many U.S. officials who have stepped down in response to the government’s support for Israel.
Human rights organizations and members of the academic community have joined the chorus calling for Blinken’s resignation or impeachment. The controversy has reignited debates about the Biden administration’s overall stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza.
President Joe Biden and Secretary Anthony Blinken have faced accusations of echoing Israeli talking points in their support of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. In October, both officials repeated claims about beheaded babies, which were later debunked, further undermining their credibility and raising questions about how information is handled by the administration.