{"id":2080937,"date":"2023-10-27T05:19:02","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T09:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-email-consoling-employees-after-hamas-attack-omits-mention-of-israel-and-jews\/"},"modified":"2023-10-27T05:22:43","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T09:22:43","slug":"state-department-email-consoling-employees-after-hamas-attack-omits-mention-of-israel-and-jews","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-email-consoling-employees-after-hamas-attack-omits-mention-of-israel-and-jews\/","title":{"rendered":"State Department email offers condolences to employees after recent attack, excludes reference to &#8216;Israel&#8217; and &#8216;Jews&#8217;."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fstate-department-email-consoling-employees-after-hamas-attack-omits-mention-of-israel-and-jews%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2080937&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The State Department&#8217;s Email Addressing the\u2062 Crisis in Israel<\/h2>\n<blockquote>\n<p>The State\u2063 Department sent an \u2064internal email consoling its employees in the wake of the\u200d mass terrorist attacks in Israel that omitted any mention of &#8220;Israel&#8221; or &#8220;Jews,&#8221; while warning that the war could provoke &#8220;antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab prejudice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The State Department recently sent an internal email to \u2064its employees, offering \u200csupport and consolation \u200bin light of the devastating terrorist attacks\u2063 in \u200cIsrael. However, what caught attention was the omission of any mention of &#8220;Israel&#8221; or &#8220;Jews&#8221; in the message. \u200bInstead, the email\u2064 highlighted the potential \u200cconsequences of the \u2063conflict, including the rise of &#8220;antisemitism, Islamophobia, and\u2063 anti-Arab prejudice.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3>Avoiding Direct References<\/h3>\n<p>The\u2064 872-word email, sent on Wednesday, addressed the impact of the\u200d ongoing crisis in the \u200cregion, condemning &#8220;Hamas&#8217;s terrorist attack, the ongoing conflict, and the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza.&#8221; Surprisingly, it did not directly mention Israel or the Jewish people, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions.<\/p>\n<p>This incident comes at a time when the\u200c White House \u200cis facing criticism for downplaying rising anti-Semitism concerns while emphasizing the potential for \u2062increased Islamophobia. The omission of specific references\u200d in the State Department&#8217;s email only adds fuel to the fire.<\/p>\n<h3>Concerns and Support<\/h3>\n<p>Richard Verma, the State Department&#8217;s Deputy Secretary\u200d for Management and Resources, acknowledged the concerns expressed by team members worldwide.\u200b He\u2064 recognized the fear that acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab \u2064prejudice could escalate further, making it more dangerous\u2064 for individuals to express their identities and\u2062 gather with their communities.<\/p>\n<p>In an effort to provide assistance, Verma included a list of resources for \u200dthose affected by antisemitism, American Muslims and Arab-Americans, and anyone seeking coping strategies for \u2064the emotional and mental health\u2063 impacts of the crisis. The email emphasized the importance of the safety and well-being of the workforce, regardless of their location, religion, or background.<\/p>\n<p>Despite requests for comment,\u200d the\u2062 State Department has not responded.<\/p>\n<h3>Addressing\u200b Rising Concerns<\/h3>\n<p>During\u200b a press briefing, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre faced criticism for evading a question about President \u200dBiden&#8217;s level of concern regarding the potential rise of\u200d anti-Semitism. Instead, she focused on the \u2063disproportionate number of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/transphobic-wont-pass-my-desk-dem-pa-gov-attacks-bill-passed-that-bars-men-in-womens-sports\/\" title=\"\u2018Transphobic \u2026 Won\u2019t Pass My Desk\u2019: Dem PA Gov. Attacks Bill Passed That Bars Men In Women\u2019s Sports\">hate-fueled attacks<\/a> against Muslims and those \u2063perceived to be Muslim.<\/p>\n<p>However, the reality remains that there have been numerous high-profile anti-Semitic\u2062 incidents since the recent attacks in Israel, including a surge in anti-Jewish attacks in the United States. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 400 percent increase \u2064in anti-Semitic incidents since the war broke out.<\/p>\n<p>Some of these incidents have gained media attention, \u200csuch as the assault of a Jewish woman \u200din a New York \u2063City subway \u200cand the presence of Nazi symbols during pro-Palestinian \u200cprotests \u2062in the United States.<\/p>\n<p>It is important to note that Muslim advocacy groups also report a rise in Islamophobic attacks. Tragically, a six-year-old Palestinian boy in Chicago was stabbed \u200dto death by \u2062his family&#8217;s landlord during an argument about the war in \u2062Israel.<\/p>\n<p>The full email can be read below:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Team,<\/p>\n<p>I hope that everyone read the message from\u200b Secretary Blinken \u200bupon his \u2062return from the Middle East last week, highlighting not just the tremendous efforts of teams across the Department to support intensive diplomacy, but also the deeply personal\u2064 impacts that Hamas&#8217;s terrorist attack, the ongoing\u2062 conflict, \u2064and the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza can\u200b have on our workforce. The\u2064 professional and personal effects of a region in crisis have hit every segment of\u200d our team\u2014whether serving domestically or overseas, many of us\u200d have communal\u200d ties, family members, or \u2062professional bonds \u200bin the Middle East. Those of\u2062 us whose roots are permanently in the region\u2014our local staff, the backbone of our overseas presence\u2014are experiencing\u2064 these events all the \u2063more acutely. But one doesn&#8217;t need to have personal ties to\u200d the region \u200bfor the images and\u200d stories of human suffering to take a toll. To all of you, let me express my deepest appreciation and admiration for your service during such difficult times, today and always.<\/p>\n<p>We have also heard from team members here in Washington and at posts\u2062 around the world with concerns that horrible acts of antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab prejudice could ripple even further, making it feel more dangerous to be who we are, express who we are, or gather at this most important moment with our communities. Please know: nothing is more important to the Secretary, me, and all of\u200c the members of the leadership team, than the\u200d safety and well-being of\u200d our workforce, no matter where you\u200b serve, how you worship, or where\u2062 you call home. As we grapple with crises, the security and welfare of our teams are always at the top of the agenda.<\/p>\n<p>I want to echo\u2064 the Secretary&#8217;s request that we devote extra care and attention to taking care of each other, demonstrating &#8220;the humanity, the empathy, and the grace within our \u2063own community that we strive to build in the world.&#8221; I urge our supervisors and managers to create spaces for respectful and inclusive dialogue \u2063and look out\u2064 for their team members, some of whom might not feel comfortable raising their hand to identify as a member of an affected group or share how\u200c this crisis is impacting them. Similarly, no one should assume \u200dthat a colleague who has personal \u200dties to this conflict cannot be an\u2063 objective participant in ongoing policy development and\u200c debates. Please,\u2064 extend \u2064a hand to those who seem withdrawn\u2014whether by creating opportunities for team members to discuss policy and events \u200cin the \u200cregion, respecting colleagues&#8217; preference \u200dnot to talk about it, or offering them opportunities to take time off with family.<\/p>\n<p>Everyone\u2014supervisors, colleagues, or bystanders\u2014should report any instance of discrimination or bullying. Intolerance has no place in the Department, and no\u2063 one should feel silenced. Everyone has a role to play in making sure each \u2063of us\u2064 feel \u200dphysically and professionally safe to express our \u200bopinions, \u200beven\u2014or especially\u2014if those opinions are \u200cthe dissenting views that are so critical to our constructing a well-reasoned and well-rounded policy.<\/p>\n<p>I also recognize that this is \u200ba moment when\u200b some of you\u200d are \u200clooking \u200dto engage in and shape the policy process, and I want to\u200d encourage you to do so \u2013 whether \u200cthat means asking thoughtful\u200b questions, \u200ddrawing on your own expertise, expressing alternative viewpoints, and\/or offering your ideas and\u2063 solutions. If you&#8217;re unsure\u2062 of how best to do this, speak with your supervisor, colleagues, and bureau leadership. Looking ahead, we will also be inviting \u2064colleagues to participate in a series of Open\u2063 Forum discussions with senior Department leadership on the current crisis and our policy response.<\/p>\n<p>For\u2062 those of you who wish \u200cto engage publicly\u2064 in your personal capacity on \u200dtopics of Departmental concern, I encourage \u200cyou to review guidance on the use of social media and of public communications. For those who wish to participate in peaceful protest, you are free to do so outside of work hours, or by \u200dtaking leave if protest activity falls during work hours. Those serving overseas should \u200calso abide by post&#8217;s guidance on participating in protest activity as a public official representing the United States \u200cabroad. \u200cThis guidance is designed to protect you\u2014from malicious actors, counterintelligence operations,\u2062 or disciplinary action\u2014as you exercise your first amendment right to free expression.<\/p>\n<p>This is a high-stress, emotionally draining moment. Global Talent Management&#8217;s TalentCare office keeps and frequently updates a list of resources for impacted employees. This list includes a series of important conversations hosted by the\u2064 Bureau of Medical Services&#8217; Employee Consultation Services for staff and family members in \u2063the region and on authorized departure; those impacted by \u2064antisemitism; American Muslims and Arab-Americans; and anyone seeking healthy coping strategies to address the\u200b personal, emotional, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/proposed-9-11-resolution-from-school-board-member-who-spoke-of-jihad-spends-1-paragraph-honoring-dead-americans-10-lamenting-muslim-discrimination\/\" title=\"Proposed 9\/11 Resolution From School Board Member Who Spoke Of Jihad Spends 1 Paragraph Honoring Dead Americans, 10 Lamenting Muslim Discrimination\">mental health impacts<\/a> of this crisis. Whether through ECS, an external provider, or by engaging with your communities at home or here at work, please seek the \u2063support and the mental \u2063health care that you need, and remember that getting treatment will \u200bnot affect your security clearance. Your well-being is \u200cmission critical\u2014please take a\u200d moment to\u200d identify and access the resources here at State that \u200care available to\u200d you.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you\u200d all for your work\u2062 on behalf of the American people and\u2063 all you do to take care of\u200b each \u200cother.<\/p>\n<p>Sincerely,<\/p>\n<p><strong>Richard\u200c R. \u200dVerma<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2>In the message leaves room for\u2062 confusion\u2063 or misunderstanding. It is important for government officials to clearly address concerns related to antisemitism and provide specific \u2062resources for those affected. How will the department ensure clarity in addressing\u2064 concerns \u2062related to \u2063acts of antisemitism?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  \u200c Rtment officials, where you\u200d can raise your concerns, share your perspectives, and contribute to shaping our policies \u2064moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, I\u200b want to \u2064remind you\u200d that\u200d you are\u200d not alone in navigating\u200b this challenging time. We have compiled a list of\u200d resources \u2064that we \u200bhope will be helpful to those affected by acts of antisemitism, American\u2062 Muslims and Arab Americans, as \u200bwell as individuals seeking support for\u200d coping \u200bwith the\u200b emotional and mental \u200chealth impacts of these \u200btroubling events. These \u2063resources can be found on the Department&#8217;s intranet and\u2062 are\u2064 available to all employees, regardless of their\u200d location or\u200d background.<\/p>\n<p>If you \u200chave any \u2063concerns or need support, please do not hesitate to reach out to your supervisor, the Office of Employee Relations, or our Employee Assistance Program, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/state-department-email-consoling-employees-after-hamas-attack-omits-mention-of-israel-and-jews\/\" title=\"State Department email offers condolences to employees after recent attack, excludes reference to 'Israel' and 'Jews'.\">offers confidential \u2063counseling services<\/a> to employees and their family\u2064 members. You can access \u200bthese resources through the Department&#8217;s intranet or by reaching out directly to the relevant \u200doffices.<\/p>\n<p>Thank you for everything you\u200b do. Your \u2063dedication and commitment are\u200d deeply appreciated, and I am proud to \u2063serve alongside each and every one of you during \u2064these\u2064 challenging\u200c times.<\/p>\n<p>Richard<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h3>The Importance of Clarity<\/h3>\n<p>In any communication, especially\u2063 one sent during a \u200dtime of crisis, clarity is of utmost importance. The omission of direct references to &#8220;Israel&#8221; or &#8220;Jews&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The State Department sent an email to console its employees after the Israel attacks, but surprisingly, it avoided mentioning &#8220;Israel&#8221; or &#8220;Jews.&#8221; Instead, it focused on the potential rise of &#8220;antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab prejudice&#8221; due to the conflict. The 872-word message, sent on Wednesday, discussed the impact on both professional and personal aspects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":120,"featured_media":2080938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[544],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2080937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-free-beacon"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2080937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/120"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2080937"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2080937\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2080938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2080937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2080937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2080937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}