WASHINGTON (JTA) — Lily Greenberg Call made headlines when she became the first Jewish staffer to resign from the Biden administration in protest of President Joe Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza. Before sending her impactful resignation letter, Lily informed her parents and colleagues of her decision.
After the news broke, Lily reflected on her journey within the administration, expressing frustration over the lack of change despite her efforts to advocate for it from within. She had been vocal in internal meetings and discussions, but felt that a small group was making the decisions.
One of the things that troubled Lily was the separate listening sessions held for Muslim and Jewish staffers at the Department of the Interior where she worked. This was in contrast to her experiences of bringing Jews and Palestinians together in conversations that fostered genuine connections.
Her decision to resign was prompted by the trauma she experienced during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, which stirred up memories of previous wars and the impact they had on her relationships with Palestinians. Despite her background in pro-Israel activism, Lily’s views evolved over time towards non-Zionist, anti-occupation advocacy.
After resigning, Lily received messages of support from Palestinians she had connected with through activism, highlighting the importance of understanding and solidarity across communities. She emphasized the need for Jewish voices to amplify Palestinian perspectives and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
While Lily had initially been drawn to her job at the Department of the Interior due to her admiration for Secretary Deb Haaland, she ultimately felt disheartened by the lack of progress in addressing the situation in Gaza. Her decision to speak out was driven by her privilege as a white Jew, recognizing the importance of using her platform to advocate for change.
Lily hopes that her actions will encourage the Jewish community to consider the impact of the conflict on all parties involved and prioritize ending the violence for the safety of everyone. She acknowledges that not everyone may agree with her decision, but believes it is rooted in the values and convictions instilled in her upbringing.