In a very high-stakes interview on CNN on August 30, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris weighed her political positions with respect to the conflict in Gaza and the greater Israeli-Palestinian dispute. An apparent Democratic Party candidate for the presidency, her words certainly represent more of a balanced approach in not alienating portions of her support-the Israelis in Palestine.
Reiterating support for Israel’s right of self-defense
Harris strongly reiterated her beliefs in Israel’s right to self-defense, something in line with longtime stated policy of the Biden administration. She made it clear that Israel should always be in a position to defend itself, and indeed, in the wake of the attacks of October 7th by Hamas, which she even termed “unspeakable.” Harris added, “I will always fight for Israel’s right to defend,” as she swore that a people of this nation should never go through such violence again.
This is not some new post Harris has been holding onto; it has been part of the same political talk. Her comments, however, have come weeks after some of her colleagues in Congress’s Democratic Party registered some dissent-an increasing divide inside their party on how Israel and Palestine are dealt with, mostly because of younger progressives wanting a more nuanced approach.
Recognition of Palestinian suffering
Harris, while proclaiming her adherence to steadfast support for Israel, did agree there was a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, adding things have been “catastrophic” during the last 10 months. She said the great loss of innocent lives and suffering of the Palestinians “shall weigh heavily on our collective consciences.”
Harris called for a cease-fire and said the Palestinian people need “dignity, security, freedom, and self-determination.” Such dual recognition of rights by Israeli security and Palestinian rights in her statement does reflect an attempt to widen her reach within the Democratic Party.
Ceasefire and hostage release demand
Harris also called for efforts toward a ceasefire agreement that would free hostages currently held by Hamas. Along with President Joe Biden, she said, they were “tirelessly working” toward that end, an aggressive posture of conflict resolution. Calls for a ceasefire are in line with mounting pressure coming from the various activist groups and constituents who have been reacting to the situation in Gaza on humanitarian grounds.
Harris’s call for a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance matters because she’s speaking directly to the very pro-Palestinians who have long been disenchanted with the Democratic message. This might help heal the never-ending rifts inside the Democratic Party about Israel and Palestine and forms something of a balancing act in a contentious debate.
Balancing act amidst party divisions
Harris’s comments come as the Democratic Party has been internally torn apart by these fights, especially over foreign policy with regard to Israel and Palestine. Many young voters and progressives have criticized the party’s traditional support for Israel, calling instead for more rights for Palestinians and a shift in humanitarian needs.
Harris’s articulation, then, of one of those positions-a balancing of support for Israel with an acknowledgment of Palestinian suffering-seeks to unify her party’s base across lines as the election season heats up. The ability to pull off such a balancing act has been crucial in holding voter bases across the gamut of human rights and social justice concerns.
