Josh Paul, former director of the bureau of political military affairs for the US Department of State, spoke to students about the pressing issue in the middle east as the Israel-Palestine armed conflict progresses.
As the former director, Paul worked closely with the approval of weapons, fighter jets, and ammunition sent abroad and more specifically sent to Israel.
Credit: The Nation.
Israel is the leading recipient of U.S. foreign aid since 1946 with receiving just over 300 billion dollars according to the Council of Foreign Relations. This number continues to progress as U.S. governmental leaders support Israel’s military and economic efforts.
Paul left the Department of State in 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden administration’s handling of Israel. At the beginning of his lecture, he recognized that by working in government there are times when an individual can disagree with a government’s actions but there are also times when a moral line needs to be drawn.
Paul drew this line after recognizing that the U.S. will continue to support Israel no matter the cost. With over 40,000 Palestinians dead since October the seventh, according to Gaza health officials, Paul did not want to contribute to this number, so he left his position after eleven years with the department.
The lecture hall was filled with political scientists, psychologists, biologists, and students from all backgrounds, hoping to help solve the conflict in this region. But as Paul finished his lecture, a gruesome and demoralizing truth was his final note. When asked how to rebuild Gaza following the end of this war, Paul stated that he believes this war will never end and peace in this region is nothing but a hopeful thought.
Credit: University of St. Andrews.
With the escalation of Israel attacking parts of Lebanon, Paul’s final words resonated with the lecture hall. Nevertheless, agencies across the world are working hard to help stop the violence by helping innocent civilians and hope can be a valuable part of working towards a path of peace.
Comments