Blinken Can't Catch A Break

A prominent human rights group is calling on the Center for American Progress (CAP), a leading Democratic think tank, to explain its decision to quietly add former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to its board of directors. The move has reignited accusations that Blinken enabled Israeli “war crimes” during the Gaza conflict, drawing sharp criticism from advocates who say it undermines CAP’s mission to “promote peace and shared global prosperity.”

The controversy centers on a letter from Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), which argues Blinken’s tenure at the State Department involved “aiding and abetting” violations in Gaza. “We believe that Mr. Blinken is not an appropriate choice to serve as a board member,” the open letter states, pointing to his role in approving billions in U.S. military aid to Israel despite evidence of humanitarian blockades.

Blinken joined CAP’s board in early August 2025 without fanfare, as first reported by Sludge and the Daily Caller. The organization, known for shaping progressive policy under leaders like Neera Tanden (a former Biden aide and current CAP president), lists Blinken alongside figures like John Podesta and Julián Castro. CAP has not publicly commented on the appointment or the backlash.

At the core of the uproar is Blinken’s May 2024 certification to Congress that Israel was not obstructing U.S. humanitarian aid to Gaza. This determination, required under Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, kept weapons transfers flowing, totaling over $17 billion during the Biden administration. However, a ProPublica investigation revealed internal State Department assessments from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration contradicted Blinken, concluding Israel was deliberately impeding food and medicine deliveries, exacerbating famine risks in Gaza.

DAWN, a U.S.-based advocacy group focused on Arab rights, has escalated its push for accountability. The organization previously filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024, urging an investigation into Blinken, former President Joe Biden, and ex-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for alleged “war crimes and crimes against humanity” related to U.S. support for Israel’s operations. DAWN executive director Raed Jarrar called the board seat “truly shocking” in an interview with Responsible Statecraft, labeling Blinken’s record “shameful.”

The ICC has not confirmed any probe into Blinken, but the complaint highlights broader tensions over U.S. complicity in Gaza, where over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, per UN figures.

As Blinken transitions to think-tank life, some former colleagues are publicly reflecting (and critiquing) the administration’s Gaza approach. It's ironic because the Biden Administration was notoriously anti-Israel and dif nearly everything in its power to curtial Israel's ability to defend itself, even after the shocking attacks of October 7th.

In a Channel 13 interview, ex-State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller described frantic, often fruitless negotiations with Israel, saying the U.S. team had “no broad mandate” and faced shifting terms mid-flight. “We wanted to speak very toughly to the government of Israel behind closed doors, but ultimately not do anything that would make it harder to get to a deal,” Miller said.

Jon Finer, Biden’s former principal deputy national security adviser, admitted in The Atlantic that the White House “did far too little, far too late” on Gaza aid. Philip Gordon, ex-national security adviser, went further on a Foreign Affairs podcast, deeming the humanitarian response a “policy failure.”

These admissions come amid a post-Biden reckoning: President Trump stripped Blinken’s security clearance in February 2025, citing foreign policy missteps. Blinken, who kept a low profile after leaving office, limited to speeches and op-eds, has not responded to the CAP criticism.

CAP, dubbed “Obama’s idea factory” by TIME in 2008, has long influenced Democratic foreign policy. Its decision to elevate Blinken, a Biden-era stalwart, underscores rifts in progressive ranks over Israel. Pro-Palestinian voices argue it whitewashes accountability, while supporters see it as rewarding diplomatic experience.

DAWN’s letter, signed by over 50 activists and scholars, demands CAP remove Blinken or at least hold public hearings on his record. As the Gaza war drags into its second year with stalled ceasefires, the debate highlights the enduring divide: For critics, Blinken symbolizes unchecked U.S. support for Israel; for defenders, he navigated an impossible crisis.

Jewish Breaking News contributed to this article.