I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning development regarding U.S. military personnel resigning in protest over the government's stance on the Gaza conflict, as detailed in a recent Empire Files article on Substack.
On June 4, Major Harrison Mann publicly resigned from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the Army, citing the U.S. support for what he termed the “Gaza genocide,” describing it as “certainly some measure of ethnic cleansing.” Mann’s high-profile resignation, coupled with his status as a decorated officer and Middle East expert, as well as being Jewish, underscores the severity of this issue.
Senior Airman Larry Hebert took a public stand by filing for Conscientious Objector (CO) status after a hunger strike in front of the White House, protesting the situation in Gaza. He expressed his disillusionment with the military’s actions, stating, “Today, I feel like many of us are doing the wrong thing while everyone is watching.”
Additionally, Senior Airman Juan Bettancourt, inspired by Aaron Bushnell’s final message, filed for CO status and left a Palestinian flag at Bushnell’s memorial, emphasizing the moral conflict many service members face. Bettancourt stated, “I believe it is unconscionable to expect military personnel to comply with genocide in blatant disregard for domestic, humanitarian, and international laws.”
These resignations and CO filings reflect a broader unrest within the ranks. Maria Santelli, Executive Director of the Center on Conscience and War, reported that over 40 troops have sought CO status since October 7, citing the Gaza conflict as their breaking point. Additionally, numerous soldiers have gone AWOL, motivated by their anger over U.S. support for Israel's actions.
This internal dissent highlights a significant issue that undermines the moral and operational integrity of our military. It is imperative that we reassess our foreign policy to align with international human rights standards and the ethical values of our service members.
I urge you to address this matter urgently and advocate for policies that reflect our commitment to human rights and justice. These include, but are not limited to:
1. An immediate and permanent ceasefire between Israel, Hamas, and any and all other parties involved in hostilities in Israel and Palestine.
2. Immediate return of all hostages and political prisoners from both sides.
3. Immediate opening of all humanitarian corridors to allow humanitarian aid and workers through without restrictions.
4. End all military aid to Israel.
5. Work towards the immediate re-funding of UNRWA.
6. End the illegal occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your action regarding this critical issue.
First sent on June 18 by BlueCollarJew
