Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Year : 2, Issue : 20
A former US military intelligence official released a letter on Monday that explained to his colleagues at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) that his November resignation was in fact due to “moral injury” stemming from US support for Israel’s war in Gaza and the harm caused to Palestinians.
Harrison Mann, an Army major, would be the first known DIA official to quit over US support to Israel. A US airman fatally set himself on fire in February outside Israel’s embassy in Washington and other military personnel have protested.
Mann said he kept quiet about his motives for resigning for months out of fear.
“I was afraid. Afraid of violating our professional norms. Afraid of disappointing officers I respect. Afraid you would feel betrayed. I’m sure some of you will feel that way reading this,” Mann wrote in a letter shared with colleagues last month and published on his LinkedIn profile on Monday.
The Defence Intelligence Agency did not respond to a request for comment.
Mann’s case differs from other US government officials, including several State Department officials, who publicly deplored US policy as they resigned rather than waiting months to explain their departure.
Man said he felt shame and guilt for helping advance US policy that he said contributed to the mass killing of Palestinians.
“At some point — whatever the justification — you’re either advancing a policy that enables the mass starvation of children, or you’re not,” Mann wrote.
Israel is retaliating against Hamas over an Oct 7 attack in which Israel says the militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 250 people hostage.
Source: Reuters
