Matthew Miller, former State Department spokesperson under former President Biden, stated unequivocally that Israel has committed war crimes in Gaza.
In a post-tenure podcast interview, Miller revealed, "It is without a doubt true that Israel has committed war crimes," emphasizing Israeli soldiers faced no accountability.
He distinguished between individual incidents and state policy, rejecting genocide claims but insisting systemic violations occurred.
Internal Biden Administration Disputes
Miller disclosed "small and big" internal conflicts over U.S.-Israel relations, particularly during Israel’s 2024 Gaza escalation. While the U.S. paused a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs over civilian harm concerns, it resisted broader arms suspensions. Miller acknowledged Hamas exploited global criticism to delay ceasefires but conceded the U.S. could have pressured Israel more forcefully during peak violence.
Documented Civilian Harm Ignored
The State Department’s internal tracking identified 500 incidents of civilian harm involving U.S.-supplied weapons, including the killing of 6-year-old Hind Rajab and attacks on aid convoys. Despite a formal mechanism to review such cases, zero progressed to policy actions like arms suspensions. Officials privately deemed Israel’s assurances of compliance "neither credible nor reliable," citing strikes on protected sites and aid restrictions.
Systemic Policy Failures
Miller’s remarks align with State Department dissent. Four bureaus jointly warned Blinken in March 2024 of Israel’s "unconscionable civilian harm" and arbitrary aid blocking. Yet political bureaus opposed conditioning arms, fearing regional instability. Biden’s threats—like halting bombs if Israel invaded Rafah—were repeatedly ignored without consequences, emboldening Israeli impunity.
Legacy of Inaction
Experts label U.S. policy a "smokescreen," noting Biden approved $17.9 billion in military aid after red lines were crossed. Miller’s post-office candor contrasts sharply with his evasive briefings as spokesperson, where he dodged war crime assessments despite evidence.