USA (Washington Insider Magazine)—A group of US government employees will participate in a “Day of Fasting for Gaza” this week to protest the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the territory and express frustration with President Joe Biden’s policy toward Israel. The initiative, organized by Feds United for Peace, follows an earlier office walkout and aims to raise awareness of Israel’s blockade and the impact on civilians in Gaza.
On Thursday, participating federal employees from more than two dozen agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and State, are expected to dress in black or wear keffiyeh scarves in solidarity with Palestinians. The group accuses Israel of using “starvation as a weapon of war,” citing UN reports that up to 2 million people in Gaza face food insecurity.
Federal Protests Spark Strong Reactions
Earlier this month, an office walkout staged by the group drew sharp criticism in Washington, with national security officials labeling the protests as acts of insubordination. House Speaker Mike Johnson called for the termination of protesting employees, stating, “They deserve to be fired.”
Despite the backlash, representatives for Feds United for Peace say their goal is to spark conversation within federal offices, where many employees support a ceasefire but fear the repercussions of speaking out.
Broader Pushback on Biden’s Israel Policy
The protest is part of a broader movement of government employees pushing back against US policy in the Middle East. Another group, Staffers for Ceasefire, recently held a vigil for Gaza outside the White House and published a statement condemning a White House morale-boosting event while civilians in Gaza continue to die.
According to Van Jackson, a former Pentagon official under the Obama administration, these protests mark an unprecedented level of dissent among federal employees. He noted that “no presidential administration in the past 40 years has been denounced by its own staff like this.”
Biden Administration’s Response
Despite the protests, it remains unclear whether they are having any impact on the administration’s policies. Insiders suggest that President Biden, the ultimate decision-maker on Israel policy, remains firm in his approach. A Biden official connected to Staffers for Ceasefire indicated that while the administration is aware of the growing dissent, it appears to be insulated from the criticisms.
The State Department has held several “open forum” sessions, where employees have voiced their opposition, and the dissent channel has been used to communicate directly with senior officials. While government employees continue to pressure the administration, the conflict in the Middle East rages on, drawing global attention and reshaping political landscapes.