Gaza Conflict Discussion in Presidential Debate: Harris vs. Trump

The Gaza Conflict in the Presidential Debate

The ongoing war in Gaza received only brief attention during the recent American presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In less than five minutes, both candidates articulated their positions on the conflict, which were closely monitored in Israel.

During the debate, Mr. Trump promised, “I will get that settled and fast,” if elected. However, he did not elaborate on the methods he would employ to negotiate with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas in order to achieve a cease-fire or secure the release of Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza.

In contrast, Ms. Harris refrained from providing specific strategies as well. She reiterated her unwavering support for Israel and emphasized the importance of releasing the hostages. Additionally, she highlighted the U.S. commitment to a two-state solution, which she believes would ensure security and sovereignty for the Palestinians. “What we know is that this war must end,” she stated emphatically.

Mairav Zonszein, the senior analyst for Israel at the International Crisis Group, expressed her surprise at Ms. Harris’s call for an end to the conflict, noting that such sentiments are rarely voiced in Israel, even amidst the ongoing protests against the war.

According to Zonszein, Ms. Harris’s remarks may be scrutinized particularly by those in Israel who previously supported Mr. Trump but are now disillusioned with Netanyahu’s approach to cease-fire negotiations. Mr. Trump has formed a close alliance with Netanyahu, who is currently resisting certain aspects of an agreement that the Biden administration has been attempting to broker.

Here is a summary of the key positions that Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump have articulated regarding the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians:

• Kamala Harris: Advocates for a two-state solution and emphasizes the need to end the war and secure the release of hostages.
• Donald Trump: Promises to resolve the conflict quickly but lacks specific details on how he would engage with both Israel and Hamas.