Vice President Kamala Harris has a different stance regarding to Israel-Palestinian war. She might be more critical of Israeli actions in Gaza as compared to President Joe Biden. She could be tougher on Israel, especially if she wins the election race and becomes the president of the United States. David Makovsky, a specialist in Middle Eastern politics, says : “On the one hand, she is identified with warning against the signaling out of Israel, that there is an element of antisemitism in that. On the other hand, she has been quite outspoken about Palestinian suffering in Gaza.”
Makovsky’s stance regarding Harris’ views on Israel comes from when she gave a speech in Dubai last December. During her speech, she said that Israel should do more to save the lives of civilians. No doubt that Harris strongly supports Israel after the October 7, conflict between Hamas and Israel. But on the other hand she also worries about palestinian that are suffering from tough situations.
She also worried that international laws must be followed. Unlike other top Bidden officials such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Kamala Hiarris has not gone to Israel after the attack happened in October7. Joe Biden has great knowledge that Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu wants to maintain the strong relationship with the United States but Harris has met Netanyahu only 2 to 3 times.
Kamala Harris and Gaza war
Munich Security Conference that held in February, Kamala said in it that Hamas raped many Israeli women as a weapon. But she also highlighted that many innocent ones who lived in Palestinian lost their lives. She said that Israel should focus on how to protect civilians and also pushed both nations to talk peacefully. It is good for both nations to accept the two-state solution. Because it is the only way that brings peace and security across the world.
In a July 8 interview with The Nation, Harris went further than Biden in highlighting the struggles of Gazans, asking about their food situation and expressing concern over reports that people were eating animal feed and grass.
It is clear that Harris is busy scheduling different visits. This is the reason she is not aware of many high-profile events. She won’t be able to oversee Netanyahu’s speech to Congress because of travel plans. But she will soon arrange a meeting with Netanyahu. In this talk she may compel Israel’s prime minister to end the Gaza conflict.
No doubt that Harris’ experience is less in foreign policy as compared to Joe Biden. But she still shares her views.
For example, during a meeting last year with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, she highlighted the need for more stability and to hold extremist settlers in the West Bank accountable. The Biden administration has already acted by imposing sanctions on those involved in violence against Palestinians.
Obama redux?
However, it is very difficult to get the conclusion of Harris exact views on Israel and Palestinian conflict. Because she has not been officially nominated yet. Many experts argue that Kamala has not strong attachment with Israel as Joe Biden has. Also Joe Biden served many years of life in politics. So he has many commitments to Israel;s Prime Minister Netanyahu. Also one of the important points to know is that Kamala Harris is married to a Jewish man so has many Jewish friends. This is the reason that her emotional support for Israel is not as strong as Joe Biden or former President of the United States Bill Clinton. This emotion compels many people to think about how she handled the Israel-Hamas war. Especially if she becomes the upcoming president of the United States.
Pinkas is suggesting that Harris will probably follow the same approach as former President Obama when it comes to regional issues. He points out that Harris is likely to prioritize U.S. interests over those of Israel. Despite Obama’s huge $38 billion military aid deal with Israel in 2016, many Israelis felt he was not very friendly towards them, and his relationship with Netanyahu was quite cold.
Just a few months left in the election Campaign. Harris is also suffering with many complexities right now. She is trying her best to bring the party together. Kamala clearly expresses that she will follow the Biden foreign policy but at the same time she also wants young generation votes. For This purpose it is important for her to understand the youngsters stance regarding the Gaza war. However, Harris will have to be careful not to distance herself too much from Biden, as issues like immigration and inflation are more important in the election than Israel.
