In a powerful act of conscience, Lily Greenberg Call, a Jewish appointee at the Interior Department, has resigned in protest of President Joe Biden’s continued support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Call’s resignation letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is a searing indictment of the administration’s failure to take a strong stance against human rights abuses and a poignant reflection on the American dream and the obligations of power.
Call, who has a long history of political activism and advocacy, including working on the presidential campaigns of Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, wrote that she has struggled with the question of what it means to have power and not use it to stop crimes against humanity.
Jewish Staffer Resigns from Biden Administration, Citing Unwavering Support for Israel’s Gaza War
Drawing on her Jewish tradition, she emphasized the importance of standing up for those facing violence and oppression and questioning authority in the face of injustice.
She noted that Israel’s actions in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, including women and children, would not be possible without American weapons and support.
Call argued that the United States has long enabled Israeli war crimes and the status quo of apartheid and occupation, which does not keep Israelis or Jews around the world safe and only perpetuates violence and suffering.
Call’s resignation is the latest in a string of high-profile departures from the Biden administration over its handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
At least five mid-to-senior-level staffers have publicly resigned in protest, citing the administration’s “politically disastrous” support for Israel’s actions.
Call’s letter is a powerful call to action, urging the administration to take a stronger stance against human rights abuses and to prioritize the safety and dignity of all people, regardless of their background or identity.
