Hala Rharrit, the Arabic-language spokeswoman for the US State Department, has resigned in protest against White House support for Israel’s war on Gaza.
Her resignation, effective Wednesday, was confirmed through her State Department biography page. The State Department is the US equivalent of other nations’ foreign ministries.
In a statement on the social networking site LinkedIn, Rharrit stated, “I resigned in April 2024 after 18 years of distinguished service in opposition to the United States’ Gaza policy. Diplomacy, not arms. Be a force for peace and unity.”
Rharrit worked for the State Department for almost two decades, including as the Deputy Director of the Dubai Regional Media Hub. She fulfilled assignments in various countries, including Yemen, Hong Kong, Qatar, and South Africa.
Rharrit is the third to submit her resignation to the State Department in protest of President Joe Biden’s and Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s Gaza policy.
Annelle Sheline resigned publicly in March, citing her inability to fulfill her role in the human rights department under the current administration’s policies.
State Department official Josh Paul resigned in October in protest of US arms transfers to Israel. He had worked for 11 years as Director of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.
In November, more than 1,000 US Agency for International Development (USAID) officials, part of the State Department, signed an open letter calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Cables criticizing the administration’s policy have also been filed with the State Department’s internal dissent channel.
The resignations come amid heightened criticism of Washington’s unwavering support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza. A bill pushed by President Biden to send $26 billion in aid to Israel amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza passed the US Congress last week and is expected to pass the Senate.