Staffers in President Joe Biden’s administration are speaking out to the call for a cease-fire in Gaza.
On Wednesday, Reuters’ Humeyra Pamuk posted a picture of a vigil outside the White House and wrote there were “dozens of Biden administration staffers” calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
A statement read by former State Department official Josh Paul insisted, ”A temporary pause to this violence was never enough. We must move with urgency to save as many lives as possible and achieve an immediate permanent ceasefire agreement and the return of all hostages.”
“We were horrified by the brutal October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians, and have been horrified by the disproportionate response by the Israeli government, which has indiscriminately killed thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza and displaced over a million more,” the statement continued.
NOW: Dozens of Biden administration staffers hold a vigil outside the White House, calling for a ceasefire.
— Hümeyra Pamuk (@humeyra_pamuk) December 13, 2023
“The temporary ceasefire ended 13 days ago, and we are horrified to see the full resumption of killings, displacement and bombardment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza.” pic.twitter.com/6A7gT90IRV
“We were horrified by the brutal October 7 attacks on Israeli civilians, and have been horrified by the disproportionate response by the Israeli government, which has indiscriminately killed 1000s of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza and displaced over a million more.”
— Hümeyra Pamuk (@humeyra_pamuk) December 13, 2023
The statement added, “We have seen refugee camps, hospitals, schools, and entire neighborhoods bombed. We have seen dead men, women, and children pulled from the rubble in their pajamas. We have seen harassment, humiliation, and degradation of many kinds. This is unacceptable.”
Pamuk reported the staffers also read the names of Palestinians killed since Dec. 1, when a temporary cease-fire ended.
The vigil comes over two months after Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostage.
Earlier this month, Israel estimated there are 136 hostages left in Gaza after a deal led to the release of dozens held by Hamas.
As Israel has resumed operations in Gaza, Biden reportedly said during a closed-door event there has to be a “change” in how the war is being carried out.
That comes as Politico reports Vice President Kamala Harris has been urging the administration, including Biden, to express more concern for the humanitarian toll in Gaza.
The president has previously shot down the idea of a cease-fire, telling reporters Hamas has said “publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again like they did before.”
“The idea that they’re going to just stop and not do anything is not realistic,” he added.
