Miller highlights accountability gaps and internal U.S. policy debates during Biden administration over Gaza conflict

Matthew Miller, who served as the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department under President Joe Biden, has unequivocally stated that Israel committed war crimes in the blockaded Gaza Strip. In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Miller declared there is no doubt about Israel’s responsibility for war crimes during the recent conflict.

While Miller expressed skepticism about labeling the situation as genocide, he was clear that Israeli forces engaged in actions constituting war crimes, noting the lack of accountability for these acts. He explained that the concept of war crimes can be understood in two ways: either when a state deliberately adopts policies that constitute war crimes or when reckless conduct by a state’s military results in war crimes. The critical question remains whether the state itself is culpable in these violations.

Speaking on the ‘Trump 100’ podcast, Miller elaborated that at the state decision-making level, the issue might not yet be fully clarified. However, what is indisputable is that members of the Israeli military carried out actions that could be considered war crimes.

Miller also shed light on internal disagreements within the Biden administration from the onset of the Gaza war. There were intense debates regarding whether to halt arms supplies to Israel and how aggressively to pressure the Israeli government. In the spring of 2024, the administration suspended the shipment of 2,000-pound bombs to Israel, deeming their use inappropriate in the context of Gaza.

According to Miller, even President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken held differing views on several policy aspects. Without delving into details, he remarked that, like many government officials, they did not always prevail in every decision.

Despite the controversies surrounding U.S. military aid to Israel, Miller believed that public opposition could have emboldened Hamas. He noted that Hamas leadership was banking on international pressure and delays to secure its desired concessions, contributing significantly to their refusal to agree to ceasefires.

Reflecting on the devastating civilian casualties in Gaza, Miller revealed personal doubts, wondering whether the U.S. could have done more to bring Israel to a ceasefire between late May and mid-January. He acknowledged that there were moments when the opportunity for de-escalation might have existed.

The Gaza conflict has also had a significant negative impact on President Biden’s popularity ahead of the 2024 presidential election, according to reports.

Additionally, Miller praised former U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Whitaker as “extremely competent.” He emphasized that Whitaker’s ability to clearly represent the president’s stance during negotiations gave him considerable strength and credibility.

Miller’s candid insights offer a rare glimpse into the complexities and internal struggles within the U.S. government regarding one of the most contentious conflicts of recent times, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing accountability and human rights violations in Gaza.