State Dept. Official, Critic of Israel Policy, Resigns

Andrew Miller, the deputy assistant secretary for Israel-Palestinian affairs is resigning, according to the Washington Post.

Miller has been critical of the Biden administration's "bear hug" approach to Israel, but cited family as his reason for resigning, the Post reported. Miller is the most senior U.S. official whose portfolio includes Israel-Palestine issues to resign, according to The Post. Other State Department officials have expressed alarm about the civilian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war, the Post said.

The "bear hug" approach references when President Joe Biden embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visited Tel Aviv following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Miller is known as being a supporter of Palestinian rights and statehood, sources told the Post. He previously served as senior policy adviser to the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and during the Obama administration, he served as director for Egypt and Israel military issues on the White House National Security Council.

"Andrew brought deep experience and sharp perspective to the table every day," said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller in a statement. "Everyone here is sorry to see him go, but we wish him well in his next endeavors."

Andrew Miller believed the United States should've used its leverage over Israel as its biggest military, economic, and political backer more effectively, an official at the State Department told The Post.

"He's certainly on the more progressive side of administration officials when it comes to the region, including on Israel-Palestine, but he has also never been a 'burn it all down and forgo pragmatism' type," said the official. "He has always advocated that the United States should support Palestinian rights and statehood, but his advocacy while in government has generally been quiet and measured."

The Post reported officials at the State Department have been bombarded with emails designing they resign over the Israel-Hamas war.

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