WASHINGTON May 31. 2024 (Saba) - A US State Department official explained that the reason behind her hastening to submit her resignation was a report submitted by the US administration to Congress which stated, “contrary to the truth,” that Israel does not obstruct the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Stacy Gilbert, who worked in the US State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, was one of the experts who prepared the report.
Gilbert said in statements reported by Reuters today, "It is clear that there is right and wrong, and what is stated in this report is wrong."
Gilbert, who worked at the State Department for more than 20 years, added that she informed her office on the day the State Department report was issued that she would resign, while her last day of work was Tuesday.
Gilbert stated that, in contrast to the published version, the latest draft that she viewed stated that Israel is preventing humanitarian aid.
In this context, Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, said that he "will not comment on personnel matters, but the department welcomes diverse viewpoints."
He added that the US administration is "committed to the report" and "continues to put pressure on the government of Israel to avoid harming civilians and to work urgently to expand humanitarian access to Gaza."
The US State Department submitted the 46-page unclassified report earlier this month to Congress, under the new national security memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in early February.
The report stated that in the period following last October 7, “Israel was not fully cooperating” with American and other efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
But the report considered that this does not amount to describing it as “a violation of an American law that prevents the provision of weapons to countries that place restrictions on American humanitarian aid.”
The United Nations and relief organizations have long complained about the risks and obstacles hindering the introduction and distribution of aid throughout Gaza.
Z.E
Stacy Gilbert, who worked in the US State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, was one of the experts who prepared the report.
Gilbert said in statements reported by Reuters today, "It is clear that there is right and wrong, and what is stated in this report is wrong."
Gilbert, who worked at the State Department for more than 20 years, added that she informed her office on the day the State Department report was issued that she would resign, while her last day of work was Tuesday.
Gilbert stated that, in contrast to the published version, the latest draft that she viewed stated that Israel is preventing humanitarian aid.
In this context, Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, said that he "will not comment on personnel matters, but the department welcomes diverse viewpoints."
He added that the US administration is "committed to the report" and "continues to put pressure on the government of Israel to avoid harming civilians and to work urgently to expand humanitarian access to Gaza."
The US State Department submitted the 46-page unclassified report earlier this month to Congress, under the new national security memorandum issued by President Joe Biden in early February.
The report stated that in the period following last October 7, “Israel was not fully cooperating” with American and other efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
But the report considered that this does not amount to describing it as “a violation of an American law that prevents the provision of weapons to countries that place restrictions on American humanitarian aid.”
The United Nations and relief organizations have long complained about the risks and obstacles hindering the introduction and distribution of aid throughout Gaza.
Z.E
resource : Saba