Dan Crenshaw shows no mercy after State Dept. official abruptly resigns over America's 'blind support' for Israel

A veteran State Department employee abruptly resigned this week over the United States government's "expanded and expedited" transfer of military arms to Israel for its war against Hamas.

Josh Paul worked in the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs for over 11 years focusing weapons transfers. But he resigned his position on Wednesday because he believes continuing to facilitate weapons transfers to Israel is a moral bridge too far.

In a resignation letter, Paul accused the U.S. government of "blind support for one side," which he claimed resulted in decisions that are "shortsighted, destructive, unjust, and contradictory to the very values we publicly espouse." He suggested that Israel is guilty of "collective punishment," "ethnic cleansing," "occupation," and "apartheid."

After resigning, Paul spoke with the New York Times. In that interview, he explained that his consternation is related to his belief that Israel is guilty of human rights violations.

The Times reported:

In an interview, Mr. Paul said that Israel’s cutting off of water, food, medical care and electricity to Gaza, a territory of two million people, should prompt protections in a number of longstanding federal laws intended to keep American weapons out of the hands of human rights violators. But those legal guardrails are failing, he said.

However, Paul does not mention — either in his resignation letter or media interviews — that Egypt helps Israel enforce the blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Arab world, moreover, does little, if anything, to help Palestinian civilians.

In response to Paul's resignation, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) swiftly condemned Paul.

"Don't let the door hit you on your way out," he advised. "Our government has no place for Hamas sympathizers."

The State Department addressed Paul's criticism at a press briefing on Thursday by reiterating the government's support for Israel.

"I would say, with respect to this specific criticism that has been aired, we have made very clear that we strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself," department spokesman Matt Miller said. "We are going to continue providing the security assistance that they need to defend themself. We think they have a right — not only a right, but an obligation — to defend themselves."

The State Department otherwise declined to comment on the personnel matter.

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