A former US military intelligence official released a letter on Monday explaining to his colleagues at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) that his resignation in November was actually due to “moral injury” stemming from US support for Israel’s war in Gaza and the damage done to the Palestinians.

Harrison Mann, an Army major, is the first known DIA official to resign over US support for Israel. An American airman fatally set himself on fire in February outside Israel’s embassy in Washington, and other military personnel protested.

Mann said he kept quiet about his motivations for quitting for months out of fear.

“I was afraid. I was afraid of violating our professional norms. I’m afraid of the disillusioned officers I respect. I’m afraid you’ll feel betrayed. I’m sure some of you will feel that way reading this,” Mann wrote in a letter shared with colleagues last month. and posted on his LinkedIn profile on Monday