𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐬: 𝐍𝐨 𝐆𝐚𝐳𝐚 ‘𝐃𝐞-𝐄𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧’ 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤

 

The directive was given after Israel told 1.1 million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza

by Dave DeCamp, Antiwar. com, October 15, 2023

The State Department has warned its diplomats not to call for de-escalation or an end to the violence as Israeli airstrikes relentlessly hit Gaza, killing hundreds of children.

In a message circulated Friday in emails viewed by HuffPost, the State Department said that high-level officials do not want these three phrases in press materials: “de-escalation/ceasefire,” “end to violence/bloodshed,” and “restoring calm.”

The State Department’s orders demonstrate how strongly the US is backing Israel’s onslaught on Gaza despite the massive civilian death toll. The White House has also disparaged calls for de-escalation.

When asked about calls for a ceasefire made by some progressive Democrats, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We believe they are wrong, we believe they’re repugnant, and we believe they’re disgraceful.”

The State Department directive was given after Israel told 1.1 million Palestinians in north Gaza to evacuate to the south. Some Palestinians who attempted to flee the north were hit by Israeli airstrikes.