WASHINGTON — More than a hundred staff
members from the United States
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have
signed an open letter addressed to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, criticizing
the department's handling of the war in Gaza. The exclusive letter obtained by
Al Jazeera expresses frustration with what the signatories perceive as a
"palpable, glaring absence in the Department’s messaging" regarding
the "recognition, support, and mourning" for the more than 18,000
Palestinians killed in Gaza since the war began on October 7.
اضافة اعلان
The letter, dated November 22, highlights
the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the conditions in the
West Bank. It
criticizes DHS leadership for seemingly ignoring the bombing of refugee camps,
hospitals, ambulances, and civilians.
The 139 signatories include staff members
from DHS and its affiliated agencies, such as
Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE), and
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Notably, some staff members chose to sign the letter anonymously due to fears
of potential backlash. The letter calls on DHS to "provide a fair and
balanced representation of the situation, and allow for respectful expression
without the fear of professional repercussions."
As of the time of publication, DHS had not
responded to Al Jazeera's request for comment.
This letter underscores growing fractures
within the administration of President Joe Biden, who has faced internal
criticism for the government's stance on the Gaza war. Last month, over 500
officials from 40 government agencies issued an anonymous letter urging Biden
to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Another letter, signed by 1,000
employees from the US Agency for International Development (
USAID), echoed a
similar appeal.
Despite internal pressure, Biden has been
hesitant to criticize Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza, reaffirming
his "rock solid and unwavering" support for the US ally. Secretary
Mayorkas, in an internal message on November 2, aligned with Biden's stance,
denouncing the "horrific terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7" by
the Palestinian group Hamas but omitting any mention of the humanitarian crisis
in Gaza.
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