By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Biden familyBiden family
  • White House Watch
    White House WatchShow More
    Hispanic Caucus frustrated with White House over immigration negotiations
    6 hours ago
    US presidential elections 2024: who are the candidates for the White House?
    18 hours ago
    Desperate families of Israeli-American hostages implore White House to get creative in freeing loved ones
    1 day ago
    National ReviewHunter Biden’s tax indictment is a disaster for the White HouseIf you’ve been following the Biden saga, Hunter Biden’s indictment poses neon flashing problems for the president..2 ago hours
    1 day ago
    White House open to new asylum limits for Ukraine aid, source says
    2 days ago
  • US Elections
    US ElectionsShow More
    Fake Trump voters come full circle in Wisconsin, charged in Nevada
    18 hours ago
    ‘Sleepwalking into Dictatorship’: Trump’s Warnings Scare America
    1 day ago
    Democrats look to national elections as uncertainty looms over federal elections
    2 days ago
    Israel, China and migration: key takeaways from the US Republican debate | Election news
    2 days ago
    Voter advocates and conservative activists prepare for 2024 election clashes
    2 days ago
  • Global Politics
    Global PoliticsShow More
    Deccan HeraldPresaging conflicts of the futureIn the realm of political science and international relations, few theories have stirred praise and criticism in equal measure as Samuel….14 hours ago
    7 hours ago
    World is ‘Gradually Unraveling,’ says Singapore President | Institute of Global Politics
    19 hours ago
    The day when human rights went global
    1 day ago
    State of the World with Ian Bremmer: December 2023
    2 days ago
    Palestine in the Political Imaginary – Perspectives from the Global South – Arab Reform Initiative
    2 days ago
  • What to Watch
    What to WatchShow More
    Does David Cameron prove that there are no good politicians?
    3 weeks ago
    2024 GOP candidates vie for support, state of civility in American politics, and more | America decides
    3 weeks ago
    What happened to civility in American politics?
    3 weeks ago
    President Biden holds meeting on progress in combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States
    3 weeks ago
    The Biden family is like the ‘Delaware Sopranos’: Newt Gingrich
    3 weeks ago
  • First Family
    First FamilyShow More
    Bill Maher denounces federal accusations of salacious Hunter Biden
    13 hours ago
    How many children does Joe Biden have?
    1 day ago
    Hunter Biden indictment ignores family business to protect Joe
    1 day ago
    EDITORIAL: The Biden family’s banking game
    2 days ago
    Hunter Biden blames ‘just the tip of the iceberg’: Rep. Carlos Gimenez
    2 days ago
  • Political Trends
    Political TrendsShow More
    Will Kodandaram be Revanth’s political advisor?
    18 hours ago
    Chinese military official warns of spreading ‘wrong ideological tendencies’ within PLA
    2 days ago
    Political Experience vs. Election Results: A Look at Emerging Trends in 5 National Elections
    3 days ago
    2024 Republican Primary Polls | Morning consultation
    3 days ago
    Euromonitor International reveals top six global consumer trends for 2024
    5 days ago
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Who is challenging Donald Trump?
    12 hours ago
    The Stop-Trump Effort Has Been Abysmal
    18 hours ago
    BBCWhite House race heats up with cries of dictatorshipDictatorship – or at least the threat of it – has been a topic of much discussion in American politics this week..1 hour ago
    1 day ago
    Video: Why Hunter Biden thinks GOP is targeting him
    1 day ago
    Two television networks unveil GOP debates in January, set in New Hampshire
    2 days ago
Reading: Democratic Aides in Congress Break With Their Bosses on Israel-Hamas War
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Biden familyBiden family
Font ResizerAa
  • White House Watch
  • US Elections
  • Global Politics
  • What to Watch
  • First Family
  • Political Trends
  • Politics
  • White House Watch
  • US Elections
  • Global Politics
  • What to Watch
  • First Family
  • Political Trends
  • Politics
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2022 Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.
Biden family > Blog > Politics > Democratic Aides in Congress Break With Their Bosses on Israel-Hamas War
Politics

Democratic Aides in Congress Break With Their Bosses on Israel-Hamas War

fv99w
Last updated: 2023/11/14 at 10:56 AM
fv99w 4 weeks ago
Share
00dc Dem Staffers 01 Wbcq Facebookjumbo.jpg
SHARE

They say they have struggled to reconcile their personal convictions with their professional obligations, which by definition require that they keep their opinions to themselves and zealously advocate the position of the member of Congress who employs them. They have voiced their dissenting opinions in internal meetings and grappled with what to say on calls with constituents.

And many have concluded that they have no choice but to speak out — albeit most without using their names — in a remarkably open break from the cardinal Capitol Hill rule that holds that aides should stay in the background and never publicly contradict the boss.

“For a lot of people, this is a real red line,” said Jeremy Slevin, a senior adviser to Representative Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat who is among the few members of Congress in her party to have called for a cease-fire. “It’s so horrific what’s happening, and it’s so elemental to be able to oppose the bombing of a refugee camp, for example. And it feels like the conversation up here on Capitol Hill, it’s totally divorced from reality — from the reality on the ground in Israel and Gaza, but also from the reality of the views of their own constituents and staffers.”

Most lawmakers in both political parties are staunchly pro-Israel. There is typically little tolerance on Capitol Hill for harsh criticism of the Jewish state, which some members of Congress — particularly conservative Republicans — almost reflexively brand as antisemitic.

Some Democratic congressional aides have been outspoken on the record about their defense of Israel, in contrast with their co-workers who are challenging their bosses and who have generally felt compelled to stay publicly anonymous.

Adam Jentleson, the chief of staff for Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, recently wrote on X: “hamas just *broke a ceasefire* to slaughter innocents. some think hamas will now magically abide by a ceasefire. some of us think this is unrealistic & offers up more innocents for slaughter.”

Mr. Fetterman, a progressive Democrat, has vocally defended Israel and supported humanitarian pauses, but not a cease-fire.

In an email to staff members in late October, Mr. Jentleson reminded aides that while they were permitted to sign open letters anonymously, social media posts or comments that contradicted the senator’s positions were “prohibited.”

“You cannot use your status as a current Fetterman staffer to undermine John’s positions or otherwise make a public statement that is inconsistent with John’s views,” Mr. Jentleson wrote, adding, “As the saying goes, our names are not on the door.”

Aides typically play a significant behind-the-scenes role in advising and guiding lawmakers’ policy positions. But the large public displays of disagreement, including last week’s walkout at the Capitol and a wave of open letters to lawmakers, reflect a profound generational divide among Democrats about how far to go in criticizing Israel’s military campaign.

“I can’t think of a similar or comparable effort by staff,” said Mr. Slevin, who has worked in various jobs on Capitol Hill for the better part of a decade. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever seen.”

In the last few weeks, hundreds of staff members have signed on to letters calling on members of Congress to endorse a cease-fire. Dozens have appeared at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including one steps from the White House where some hoisted signs that read, “Congress, your staff demands a cease-fire.”

“The voices of members of Congress hold immense power — we have seen it firsthand,” read one such open letter, which was led by Jewish and Muslim aides and signed by more than 550 staff members as of Nov. 9. “We now ask them to use that power to protect civilians in imminent danger.”

The signers accused lawmakers of ignoring the plight of Palestinian civilians killed in Israel’s military campaign while focusing intently on the Israeli civilians killed and taken hostage in Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7. The health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, estimates that 11,000 civilians have been killed there over the last month.

“We have appreciated seeing nearly every member of Congress express quick and unequivocal solidarity with the Israeli people,” the letter said, “but we are profoundly disturbed that such shows of humanity have barely been extended to the Palestinian people.”

You Might Also Like

Who is challenging Donald Trump?

The Stop-Trump Effort Has Been Abysmal

BBCWhite House race heats up with cries of dictatorshipDictatorship – or at least the threat of it – has been a topic of much discussion in American politics this week..1 hour ago

Video: Why Hunter Biden thinks GOP is targeting him

Two television networks unveil GOP debates in January, set in New Hampshire

fv99w November 14, 2023 November 14, 2023
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Hunter 3 Gty Er 230914 1694728446387 Hpmain 16x9.jpg House Oversight Committee subpoenas Hunter Biden and President James Biden’s brother
Next Article Election 2024 Manchin 03899.jpg The White House tried, and failed, to persuade Manchin to run for Senate again
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Main Menu

  • White House Watch
  • US Elections
  • Global Politics
  • What to Watch
  • First Family
  • Political Trends
  • Politics

Quick links

  • Home
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of service

Categories

  • First Family84
  • Global Politics43
  • Political Trends33
  • Politics101
  • Uncategorized1
  • US Elections85
  • What to Watch102
  • White House Watch106
© biden.family All Rights Reserved.
Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?