Snow stops anti-Israel government employee ‘walkout

Anti-Israel Government Employees⁤ Foiled in “Walkout” Protest

Plans for a dramatic “walkout” by anti-Israel government employees to protest the Biden ⁢administration’s military support for Israel were unexpectedly thwarted. The snow day that ⁤shut‍ down all federal offices in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday put a halt to their intended‍ demonstration.

According to anonymous protest organizers, hundreds of employees from various agencies, including the White House, State Department, Defense Department, and National Security Agency, were planning to skip work ⁤and ⁢participate in a “Day of Mourning” for Gaza. However, their plans were disrupted by the heavy ⁣snowfall ⁤that led to the closure of‍ all federal‌ offices.

This setback came as Republican lawmakers vowed to take action against any Biden administration employees who ‍joined the anti-Israel walkout. Legal experts ⁢also warned that⁢ participating​ in such a protest could result in‍ job loss⁣ and jeopardize security clearances.

Richard Painter, the former chief White House ethics‌ counsel, emphasized ‌the potential consequences for‍ political appointees and White House staff who ⁤openly participated in demonstrations against the president’s ⁤Middle East policy. He stated that it would be “wildly inappropriate” ‌and highly ‌likely for President Biden to fire those involved.

Despite the potential⁤ repercussions, the​ White House, State Department, Defense Department, and National Security Agency declined to comment on‍ whether they would punish employees who joined the protest.

House Speaker Mike Johnson issued a strong warning, stating that federal employees who participated in the protest “deserve to be fired.” He pledged to collaborate with the House Oversight Committee to ensure appropriate disciplinary actions are taken by federal agencies.

The Biden administration has been under pressure⁣ from its progressive base, which has increasingly⁤ adopted an anti-Israel stance, to cut off military support ⁤for⁤ the Jewish‌ state. A Gallup poll conducted in March revealed that, for the first time in the survey’s history, more Democrats sympathized with Palestinians over Israelis.

This opposition to Israel has even reached ⁣the administration‌ itself, with multiple ⁤staffers resigning to protest the war against Hamas. In November,⁤ over 500‍ anonymous Biden administration employees reportedly signed a letter denouncing U.S. military support for Israel in the Gaza ⁤War.

The letter called on President Biden to urgently⁢ demand‍ a cease-fire, describing Israel’s⁤ military response to Hamas’s mass⁤ slaughter of civilians⁣ as a “costly and senseless war.”

Published‌ under:

• Anti-Semitism
• Biden Administration
• Department of Defense
• Hamas
• Israel
• NSA
• Protests
• State Department
• War
• Washington D.C.
• White House

How has the shift in public opinion⁢ towards Israel affected the Biden administration’s policies?

Me, more⁣ Democrats view Israel negatively than positively. This shift ⁣in public opinion has led to increased‌ scrutiny of the Biden administration’s policies towards Israel.

The planned “walkout” by anti-Israel government employees was seen as a direct response to the Biden administration’s military support for Israel during the recent​ conflict with Hamas in Gaza. These⁤ employees, hailing from​ various ⁣agencies including the White House, State Department, Defense Department, and⁢ National Security Agency, intended ​to show their solidarity with Gaza by skipping work and participating in a “Day of Mourning.”

However, their plans were abruptly halted by an unexpected snowstorm that forced the closure of all federal offices in Washington, D.C. This ⁤twist of fate prevented the anti-Israel employees from carrying out their protest.

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, made it clear that they would not tolerate any government employees participating in the walkout. They vowed to ​take action against those who did, including potential job loss and the jeopardization of security clearances. Legal experts also warned of the consequences ⁤that ‍could follow such an ⁢act of protest.

Richard ​Painter, the former chief White House ethics counsel, stressed the inappropriateness of political appointees ⁤and White House staff openly demonstrating against ⁣the ​president’s Middle East policy. He stated that it would be highly⁣ likely for President Biden to fire those involved.

Despite the potential repercussions, the White House, State Department, Defense Department, ⁢and National Security Agency⁣ chose not to comment on whether they would punish employees who ‌joined the protest. Their silence only added to the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

House​ Speaker ​Mike Johnson, however, took a strong ‌stance on the⁤ matter. ⁣He‌ expressed‍ his belief that federal employees who participated in the protest “deserve to be fired.” He also pledged to work with the House Oversight Committee to ensure that appropriate disciplinary actions are taken by ⁢federal agencies.

The Biden administration has recently faced increased pressure from its progressive ‌base to cut military⁤ support ⁣for Israel. This pressure stems from a shift in public opinion, where more Democrats now view Israel negatively ⁤than positively. A Gallup poll conducted in March indicated this change for⁣ the first time.

The thwarted walkout ​protest serves as a reminder of the divisions and challenges faced by ‍the Biden administration in navigating its policies towards Israel. While anti-Israel⁤ sentiment among certain government employees has become more prominent, lawmakers and legal experts warn of the potential​ consequences that await those who openly express ​their opposition. The question of how the Biden administration will address this issue still remains unanswered.

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