Former US Diplomat Says Gaza Atrocities Will ‘Haunt’ Antony Blinken
Hala Rharrit Calls for Accountability Over Continued US Arms Support to Israel
Washington, DC – The United States’ unwavering military support for Israel amid its deadly offensive in Gaza will “haunt” Secretary of State Antony Blinken for the rest of his life, according to a former US diplomat who resigned in protest over the war.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Hala Rharrit, who left the State Department in April, accused the Biden administration of deliberately bypassing US laws to continue supplying Israel with weapons, despite evidence of human rights violations in Gaza.
“They are willfully — and I don’t say that word lightly, willfully — violating and evading US law,” Rharrit said. “For me, it’s really unforgivable, and it is criminal.”
US Laws and Allegations of Violations
Several US laws prohibit military aid to nations accused of human rights abuses. The Leahy Law, for instance, bans security assistance to foreign military units involved in extrajudicial killings, torture, and other violations. Additionally, National Security Memorandum 20 requires US allies to assure that American weapons are not used in ways that violate international humanitarian law.
Despite these legal safeguards, the US has continued to provide Israel with billions of dollars in military aid. Human rights organizations and international bodies, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), have accused Israel of war crimes, including using starvation as a method of warfare. The ICC has even issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Blinken's Role in US Support for Israel
As Secretary of State, Blinken has played a central role in securing continued US assistance to Israel. He certified to Congress that Israel was not blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza—a claim aid groups strongly refute. The State Department has also faced criticism for failing to act on allegations of Israeli military abuses, prompting a lawsuit against the Biden administration.
In addition to approving arms transfers, Blinken oversaw US vetoes of four United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. His unwavering pro-Israel stance has drawn fierce protests, with activists confronting him at congressional hearings, public events, and even outside his home. At a recent event in Washington, DC, demonstrators interrupted his speech, branding him the “Secretary of Genocide.”
Calls for Accountability and Future Consequences
Rharrit believes Blinken will face long-term scrutiny for his actions. “This will haunt him for the rest of his life,” she said, adding that history is already judging him. She questioned whether future US administrations will hold officials accountable for policies that contributed to the suffering in Gaza.
The war appears to be approaching an end following a ceasefire agreement brokered this week, reportedly after intervention from incoming President-elect Donald Trump. However, Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, have openly opposed the truce and sought to prolong the war.
Blinken, meanwhile, has placed blame for delays in the ceasefire on Hamas, claiming the group “played the spoiler” in negotiations—an assertion Rharrit dismissed outright. “I’ll tell you very bluntly, Blinken is lying,” she said.
Diplomatic Resignations and Moral Stand
Rharrit served in the State Department for 18 years and was an Arabic-language spokesperson before resigning in 2023. She is among several US officials who left their posts in protest against Washington’s unwavering support for Israel.
She expressed relief over her decision, saying she had felt “silenced” when raising concerns about US policy. “As diplomats, we are not meant to implement illegal or inhumane policies,” she said. “There was no way for me to remain under those conditions.”
As Blinken prepares to leave office on Monday, the controversy surrounding his role in the war in Gaza—and the broader US policy—shows no signs of fading.
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