US Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an event with leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as part of the US-ASEAN Special Summit, in Washington, DC, May 13, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
US Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris expressed “unequivocal” support for Israel’s defense during an interview with CNN on Thursday night but dodged a question on whether she would be willing to place an arms embargo on the Jewish state if she wins the White House in November.
CNN anchor Dana Bash mentioned that US President Joe Biden has “tried unsuccessfully” to end the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Bash asked Harris if she would consider enacting some policy suggestions from the “progressive left,” such as enacting a weapons embargo against the Jewish state to end the war in Gaza.
“Let me be very clear. I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change,” Harris said.
“But, let’s take a step back,” Harris added, reflecting on Hamas’s Oct. 7 slaughter of roughly 1,200 people and systemic rape of women throughout southern Israel.
“As I said then, I say today: Israel has a right to defend itself. We will. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, and we have got to get a deal done,” Harris continued. “We must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out. I’ve met with the families of the American hostages. Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire done.”
Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists also kidnapped over 250 hostages during their Oct. 7 rampage. About 108 abductees, both dead and alive, still remain in captivity in Gaza.
Bash pressed Harris further on whether she would implement a “change in policy in terms of arms.” Harris seemed to dodge the question, quickly saying “no” before immediately changing the topic to the necessity of securing a ceasefire deal and working toward a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Kamala Harris says "far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed," but that she would *not* change policy on withholding even "some" US weapons to Israel. pic.twitter.com/1zx2uaJg3w
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) August 30, 2024
“No, we have to get a deal done. Dana, we have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this, to the families, to the people who are living in that region. A deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war, but will unlock so much of what must happen next,” Harris said. “I remain committed, since I’ve been on Oct. 8, to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution, where Israel is secure and in equal measure, the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity.”
Harris’s comments echoed her previous statements on the Israel-Hamas war since becoming the Democratic nominee for president. Though Harris has repeatedly issued nominal support for Israel, she harbors close ties to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has become increasingly hostile toward the Jewish state. Harris has been under pressure from pro-Palestinian activists to break with the Biden administration by adopting a more adversarial posture toward Israel. Moreover, Harris does not have the decades-long relationship with Israeli leaders that Biden did.
In July, after holding a private meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris told reporters that “Israel has a right to defend itself and how it does so matters” and that she “will not be silent” regarding the humanitarian conditions in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
While delivering a speech to close out the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC), Harris stated that she “will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.” She also emphasized that her administration would ensure Palestinians “realize their right to dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.”
Harris previously urged the White House to be more “sympathetic” toward Palestinians and take a “tougher” stance against Netanyahu, according to a Politico report in December. In March, White House aides forced Harris to tone down a speech that was too tough on Israel, according to NBC News.
Later, she did not rule out “consequences” for Israel if it launched a large-scale military offensive to root out Hamas battalions in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, citing humanitarian concerns for the civilian population.
Harris initially called for an “immediate ceasefire” before Biden and has often used more pointed language when discussing the war, Israel, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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