United States Vice President Kamala Harris has pledged not to stay silent about the suffering in Gaza. This comes after her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
Harris highlighted the plight of Palestinians while maintaining her strong support for Israel’s security.
In her remarks, Harris emphasized her unwavering commitment to Israel but stressed that too many innocent civilians had died in the conflict. She described the devastation in Gaza, mentioning the tragic images of dead children and desperate people seeking safety.
Harris made it clear that ignoring these tragedies is not an option. She reiterated her call for a ceasefire, urging Netanyahu to accept a US-backed proposal. According to Harris, it is time for the war to end in a manner that ensures Israel’s security, releases all hostages, and allows Palestinians to pursue freedom, dignity, and self-determination.
Despite her strong stance on the Palestinian suffering, Harris reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself and condemned Hamas as a brutal terrorist organization. She also mentioned the American hostages held by Hamas, expressing her commitment to bringing them home.
Related:
- Obama Endorses Kamala Harris for President: A Historic Moment!
- Trump Risks Losing Voters He Needs with Loaded Attacks on Harris!
Addressing the complex nature of the Israel-Gaza conflict, Harris urged Americans to recognize its nuances. She pointed out that the conversation is often oversimplified, whereas the reality is far more complicated.
While Harris’s statements did not significantly diverge from President Joe Biden’s policies, her vocal concern for Palestinian suffering highlighted a contrast. Biden’s approach has been more subdued, focusing on back-channel efforts to moderate Israel’s actions.
His policies have caused rifts within the Democratic Party and among Muslim-Americans, especially in key swing states like Michigan.
Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane noted that Harris dedicated more time to discussing Palestinian suffering than Biden has. Harris spoke about starvation, food insecurity, and the displacement of people in Gaza, painting a vivid picture often missing from US media coverage.
Although Harris had positioned herself to the left of Biden during her 2020 presidential run, she has a history of strong support for Israel. Her first overseas trip as a senator was to Israel, and she has consistently opposed UN resolutions condemning the country.
Harris has also been a prominent speaker at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) annual conventions, reaffirming the unbreakable bonds between the US and Israel.
In a recent interview with the Israeli news site Ynet, Israel’s ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, acknowledged Harris’s positive overall record but noted her “problematic statements” about the Gaza war
