US diplomats in the Arab world have issued a stark warning to the Biden administration regarding its unwavering support for Israel amidst the Gaza conflict. A leaked diplomatic cable suggests that this stance may alienate Arab publics, potentially for generations, as anti-US sentiments surge in response to the recent Israeli offensive following Hamas attacks.
by Jack Diffley
Amidst the escalating violence in Gaza, a confidential message to the Biden administration has highlighted an acute rise in resentment towards the United States across Arab nations. This concern was outlined in a communication from US diplomats stationed in Oman, as disclosed by a document obtained by CNN, hinting at the long-term diplomatic repercussions of the US’s current foreign policy.
According to the dispatch from the US Embassy in Oman, widespread discontent has been brewing, with US actions perceived as complicit in what many consider the excessive use of force by Israel. “Our position in the court of public opinion is significantly compromised,” the cable from the Omani Embassy revealed, pointing out the potential long-lasting damage to US interests in the region.
The document, drafted by the deputy chief of mission in Muscat, was disseminated to key US government agencies, including intelligence and security bureaus. This single report from Oman’s embassy may well encapsulate broader regional anxieties regarding the increasing antipathy toward the United States due to the Gaza conflict.
Further communications exposed by CNN include stark criticism from Egyptian state media, suggesting President Biden’s perceived indifference towards Palestinian suffering surpasses that of previous US leaders. This sentiment was conveyed in an editorial in a state-controlled Egyptian publication, placing the US president in an unfavorable light.
The State Department has yet to make an official statement in response to CNN’s inquiry.
As casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza mount, the Biden administration faces mounting global and domestic pressure over its alliance with Israel. Attempts have been made to enhance humanitarian assistance to Gaza and encourage breaks in hostilities to enable aid delivery and civilian evacuation.
Concerns regarding the US-Israel relationship have escalated within the administration, with internal voices increasingly advocating for a ceasefire. While public protests and political pushback grow stateside, the latest developments show Israel’s willingness to engage in periodic cessations of military activity, an outcome the US sees as a constructive step forward.
However, the American government’s support for Israel is not without its dissenters. Reports from inside the administration point to discomfort among officials over certain aspects of Israel’s military actions, and the domestic political landscape reflects a similar sentiment. Public demonstrations near the presidential residence and symbolic protests at the White House itself have demonstrated the division and intensity of public opinion.
In confronting these challenges, the administration must balance its strategic interests with the urgent calls for peace and humanitarian concern, a test that President Biden faces both at home and abroad amidst an increasingly fraught Middle Eastern conflict.
(Associated Medias | FAD) – All rights res