US army officer resigns amid country's support for Israel

In a significant stance against the status quo, Major Harrison Mann, a United States Army officer, has resigned and expressed deep moral concerns over the country’s support of Israel during the current genocide in Palestine. [1]

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US enabling “mass starvation of children”The situation in Gaza is unimaginable Prior deployment to Bahrain and Kuwait Mann is of European Jewish background Analysis Also read

In a statement posted on the social platform LinkedIn, Major Mann, a member of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), said he resigned because of “policies that violated my conscience”. [1]

US enabling “mass starvation of children”

In his resignation post, Major Mann strongly criticised the United States’ persistent support for the Zionist regime, stating that it has directly led to the suffering and loss of innocent Palestinian lives.

He expressed deep regret over policies that have enabled the “killing and starvation of tens of thousands”. [1]

It is worth mentioning that several US military personnel have now resigned since the brutal assault on Gaza began in October 2023.

The situation in Gaza is unimaginable

The Gaza genocide has lasted for more than seven months and over 35,000 people have been killed.

2.3 million are being repeatedly displaced and facing shortages of food and medical supplies, as documented by the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, the United States is continuing to supply weapons and intelligence to Israel — a deadly combination that has led to repeated war crimes.

As Mann put it on Monday,

“The policy that has never been far from my mind for the past six months is the nearly unqualified support for the government of Israel, which has enabled and empowered the killing and starvation of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians.” [2]

Furthermore, he noted,

“This unconditional support also encourages reckless escalation that risks wider war.” [2]

Prior deployment to Bahrain and Kuwait

Mann joined the US Army as an Infantry Officer in 2011. Between 2015 and 2020, he served in Tunisia, Bahrain, Korea, and Kuwait. [3]

Currently, he works as a foreign area officer with the DIA, out of Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. [3]

According to a statement from Army spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Castro, Mann’s resignation will take effect on 3 June; he handed in his notice on 1 November, deciding to publicise the fact just a few days ago. [3]

“I told myself my individual contribution was minimal, and that if I didn’t do my job, someone else would, so why cause a stir for nothing?

“At some point — whatever the justification — you’re either advancing a policy that enables the mass starvation of children, or you’re not.” [3]

Mann is of European Jewish background

In his resignation letter — which was addressed to team members — Mann wrote that he was “afraid” of giving his reasons.

“I was afraid. Afraid of violating our professional norms. Afraid of disappointing officers I respect. Afraid you would feel betrayed. I’m sure some of you will feel that way reading this.” [1]

He also mentioned his European Jewish descent, and how he was brought up in a particularly strict moral environment, one that held a profound mistrust in Germany after the war.

“When it came to the topic of bearing responsibility for ethnic cleansing — my grandfather refused to ever purchase products manufactured in Germany — where the paramount importance of ‘never again’ and the inadequacy of ‘just following orders’ were oft repeated. I’m haunted by the knowledge that I failed those principles.” [4]

The DIA officer’s resignation has come amid mounting demands from human rights and justice groups that the Biden administration impose limits on US weapons exports to Israel.

Some weapons transfers have indeed been withheld, but others remain freely flowing. [5]

Analysis

ANALYSIS

Dr. Salman Butt

Head of Islamic Thought

This is what courage looks like

Many people display the good quality of al-Īthār or altruism; they show care and concern for others, display selfless behaviour, and show kindness and generosity.

But all of the above in the presence of risk or danger is what is called heroism, and this is what we are in need of today.

Whether it is students risking their degrees, public personalities risking their reputations, or indeed resistors to injustice risking their lives, heroism and courage is doing the right thing despite the danger and fear, not in the absence of it.

A strong example of rebellion

We are long overdue a rebellion in the Western world, where people of conscience refuse to obey unjust orders.

There are many people like Major Harrison Mann and the hero Senior Airman Aaron Bushnell, but they require a few sparks to ignite positive change across society.

The oppressive boycott against Banu Hāshim in Makkah, where the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and relatives were starved and besieged in their own homes, was undone by five heroic Qurayshis standing up against it one by one, opening the floodgates.

The same goes for resistance to many types of structural oppression throughout history, from slave rebellions to civil rights movements to anti-colonial struggles; when the swords and pens of the oppressed are complemented by the rebellion and refusal of members of the oppressor classes to obey orders, positive change is on the horizon.