State Department officials privately criticized funding to delegitimize Israel, contradicting public statements

Diplomats Express Alarm Over Taxpayer-Funded Grant to Investigate Israeli Human Rights Violations

Diplomats in the Biden State Department are privately expressing concern over​ a $1 million grant that was intended to support​ investigations into alleged human rights violations by Israel.‍ This contradicts the agency’s public defense of the funding initiative. The State Department has now refused to disclose ‍whether the grant was actually awarded.

A​ State Department official criticized ​colleagues in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) for downplaying the funding initiative as a routine oversight program, ‍when‌ in ‍reality, it was meant to undermine one of the United ⁤States’ closest allies. The official pushed back against ‌claims ⁢that similar grants are issued elsewhere, highlighting the fact that this particular grant specifically mentioned violations of land ⁣property rights. The official questioned‍ the decision-making behind the grant, asking, “Who ‌wrote this thing??”

While ‌the State Department ⁣publicly defended the grant ‌as a means to strengthen accountability and⁢ human rights in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza, critics⁤ in Congress accused the Biden ‍administration of funding efforts to delegitimize Israel and support the anti-Semitic⁣ Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. Internal correspondence obtained by the ‍ Free‌ Beacon reveals that some diplomats viewed the⁣ grant as an attempt to erode Israel’s legitimacy⁣ on the international stage.

The grant proposal offered⁣ up to​ $987,654 to outside groups for collecting ⁢and⁤ maintaining human rights documentation, including violations ​of legal or security sectors and housing, land, and‌ property rights. However, internal⁣ emails ⁣show that an ⁤unnamed diplomat pointed out that similar grants have only been issued for countries known to commit mass ⁤human rights violations.

Senator Ted Cruz, a​ member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stated that the ‌emails provide evidence ⁤that the Biden administration was working to undermine Israel’s legitimacy. He criticized the grant as a disgrace and accused⁤ the State Department of continuing ‍to undermine Israel at every opportunity.

Sources familiar with⁤ the⁣ grant⁢ revealed that it was clear the intent was to ‌target ⁢Israel, and ​the incident exposed divisions over anti-Semitism within the Biden State ⁣Department. The department’s ⁤office to monitor and combat anti-Semitism was not consulted on⁢ the grant, and the U.S. anti-Semitism⁢ envoy was only brought⁣ into the matter after​ public criticism.

Additional emails related to the ⁤grant show the State Department facing inquiries from reporters and congressional ⁢offices. The State Department​ did ‍not respond to these questions for nearly a month, raising further concerns. The ‌department declined to comment on the correspondence, citing⁤ a policy of not discussing internal government communications.

Reed ​Rubinstein, senior counselor‌ and director‍ of oversight and investigations for America First‌ Legal, described the grant as a “shameful assault on our ​ally Israel’s security ‌and legitimacy.” Rubinstein criticized the Biden administration for using taxpayer‌ dollars to subsidize Palestinian terrorism and undermine Israel’s elected government.

In what ways does the controversy surrounding this grant ‍complicate the Biden administration’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian ⁣conflict, and‍ how‍ will they ensure a​ fair and ⁢unbiased stance while promoting human ‍rights

Ence obtained by media outlets revealed that diplomats within the State Department are expressing alarm over a taxpayer-funded grant intended ‍to investigate Israeli human⁢ rights⁤ violations. The grant, worth $1⁣ million, has raised ⁢concerns among ​these diplomats, who contradict the agency’s public defense of the funding initiative.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) within the State Department has ‌been criticized by a State ⁢Department official for downplaying ⁢the‍ grant ​as ​a routine oversight‍ program. In reality, this official argues ⁢that the grant was⁣ designed to undermine one‍ of the United States’ closest allies, Israel. The official’s criticism is grounded in the fact that the grant specifically mentioned violations of land ⁢property⁢ rights, which raises questions about the motives behind its creation.

The dissenting official ​appears incredulous about the decision-making process⁤ behind the grant and quipped, “Who wrote ⁣this thing??” This remark highlights the skepticism surrounding the grant and implies that the official believes the⁣ grant was not formulated impartially and‍ fairly.

While⁣ the State Department continues ⁢to publicly defend the grant, stating that it is aimed at strengthening accountability and human rights in ⁤Israel, critics within⁢ Congress have accused the Biden administration of funding efforts to delegitimize Israel and support the⁣ Boycott,⁤ Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which has been flagged as anti-Semitic.

The internal correspondence obtained by media outlets ⁤sheds light on the‌ division within the State Department over‌ this‌ grant. It reveals concerns​ among diplomats that this initiative may⁢ harm⁣ relations with one of America’s closest allies and⁣ contribute to the ⁣delegitimization of Israel. The fact ​that these concerns are voiced privately suggests a lack of transparency and raises questions about the State Department’s ‍alignment with its public statements.

The controversy ‌surrounding this ​grant also highlights ⁣the delicate balance that the Biden administration ⁤must navigate in​ its approach to the ⁢Israeli-Palestinian ​conflict. While​ supporting⁢ human⁢ rights ⁢and⁣ promoting accountability ​is crucial, it must be done in a‍ manner that is perceived as⁣ fair and ⁤unbiased by all parties involved. Any perception of‌ favoritism or agenda-driven funding can severely damage diplomatic relations and hinder progress ‍towards a peaceful ‍resolution.

In conclusion, the ⁣alarm expressed by diplomats within the ⁣Biden State Department ⁣over the‍ taxpayer-funded​ grant to investigate ⁤Israeli human rights ⁢violations underscores the divisions and concerns‌ surrounding this funding initiative. The contradictory stances taken by officials and the ⁣accusations​ made by critics raise questions ⁤about the motives and transparency of ⁢the⁣ grant. As the situation develops, it remains to⁢ be seen how the State‌ Department will address these concerns and ⁢maintain ‌the delicate ‍balance necessary to support‍ human ‌rights while preserving diplomatic relations with Israel.

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