What it is about
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli-Palestinian Affairs, Andrew Miller, has stepped down from his position. Citing personal reasons for his resignation, Miller’s departure comes as the War in Gaza approaches its ninth month.
Why it matters
Andrew Miller, seen as a key figure within the U.S. State Department for Israel-Palestinian Affairs, is not just any official—his support and involvement are highly regarded in Jerusalem. His exit should thus prompt serious reflection and attention in Israel.
What they are saying
A senior State Department official emphasized, “Miller’s resignation should be a wake-up call for Jerusalem. His support for the US-Israel relationship was firm, and his departure highlights the importance of Israel’s diplomatic engagements.”
The bigger picture
Previous resignations have mostly been from junior State Department officials. However, Miller held a significant portfolio, entirely dedicated to Israeli-Palestinian issues— making his resignation noteworthy. This suggests discontent not just with U.S. domestic policy but with broader strategies across the conflict scenario.
What Prime Minister Netanyahu said
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently criticized the U.S. for withholding weapon shipments, attributing strategic losses to this action. U.S. policies, however, argue they have only held back one shipment of high-payload bombs and maintained an overall strong defense support for Israel, insisting all other transfers were timely.
State Department rejoinder
In response to Netanyahu’s claims, another senior U.S. official remarked, “It’s deeply frustrating to hear such inaccuracies presented by Prime Minister Netanyahu. Our policy is firmly in support of Israel, and any suggestion otherwise damages our collaboration and mutual trust.”
Current Situation
Despite the resignation of Miller, U.S. determination towards supporting Israel remains steadfast, creating a bi-directional dialogue constructively addressing future policies concerning both nations.
Official remarks
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed regret at Miller’s departure, “Andrew brought depth and a sharp perspective to our Israeli-Palestinian dialogue. He will be missed, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.