Vice President Kamala Harris Advocates for Palestinian Rights While Supporting Israel

Vice President Kamala Harris Voices Support for Israel While Acknowledging Palestinian Suffering

On Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed robust support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reiterating Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism. However, she emphasized that “far too many innocent civilians” have lost their lives in Gaza, asserting, “I will not be silent” regarding their suffering.

In what can be seen as her debut on the international stage following her swift rise as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Ms. Harris endeavored to navigate the complex dynamics of the ongoing strife in the Middle East. While aligning her views with President Biden’s policy, she adopted a more forceful stance on the plight of the Palestinian people.

“What has transpired in Gaza over the past nine months is nothing short of devastating,” she remarked to reporters after her meeting with Mr. Netanyahu at the White House. “The heart-wrenching images of deceased children and the desperate, hungry individuals seeking refuge, often displaced multiple times — we cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. We must not allow ourselves to grow numb to the suffering, and I will not remain silent.”

Harris also highlighted her recent engagement with the families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the catastrophic attack on October 7. She expressed deep empathy for their pain, taking a moment to recite the names of each U.S. citizen among the hostages. “I’ve assured them on every occasion that they are not alone, and I stand with them,” she stated. “President Biden and I are tirelessly working each day to secure their safe return.”

In a notable shift in Washington’s political landscape following Mr. Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race on Sunday, Ms. Harris emerged as the sole voice offering substantive comments after Mr. Netanyahu’s individual meetings with both leaders. She advocated for the urgent conclusion of a long-stalled cease-fire agreement to end the conflict and facilitate the safe return of the hostages.

Many observers were keenly focused on Ms. Harris, particularly given her new role. Throughout the nine months since the Hamas attack, she has largely maintained alignment with the president’s stance. Nevertheless, her occasionally more empathetic tone towards the suffering in Gaza has led some to speculate that she may not be as unwaveringly supportive of Mr. Netanyahu’s military actions as President Biden has been.