President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s war in Gaza has created a rift within the Democratic Party. As Vice President Kamala Harris steps into the spotlight as the presumptive Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential race, the question arises: will she chart a different path?
One early signal that Harris might take a different approach came when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress. Harris did not preside over the event due to a previously scheduled commitment in Indianapolis. Additionally, several congressional Democrats chose not to attend.
Harris is set to meet with Netanyahu one-on-one and is expected to communicate the urgency of a ceasefire, emphasizing the need for Israel’s security while addressing the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. This stance suggests that Harris might not follow Biden’s unwavering support for Israel’s actions.
Harris has longstanding ties to the American Jewish community and Israeli interest groups. Her husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish and has been actively involved in the Biden administration’s response to the conflict. Harris has also maintained a good working relationship with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and has been present in all of Biden’s meetings with Netanyahu.
In her presidential bid, Harris has received endorsements from major Jewish interest groups and has connections to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). She has repeatedly upheld Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas but has also taken a sharper tone than Biden regarding Israel’s treatment of civilians in Gaza.
Harris became the first person in the Biden administration to call for an immediate ceasefire and has criticized Israel for obstructing aid to Gaza. She has also expressed empathy for students protesting the conflict and has condemned protesters associating with Hamas.
If Harris becomes president, she is expected to bring in her own team, including national security adviser Philip Gordon, who favors diplomatic solutions. This could open up possibilities for a different approach to the US-Israel relationship.
However, Harris faces a political tightrope. She must determine how much to distance herself from Biden’s record on Gaza, which has fractured the Democratic base. Progressives have called on Biden to halt weapons shipments to Israel and put more pressure on ending the war. Harris’s positioning could win back some of these voters, but she must also consider the longstanding support for Israel within both major political parties.
Overall, it is unlikely that Harris will deviate substantially from Biden’s policy on Israel. The question remains whether any changes she makes can win back alienated voters without losing those who embraced Biden’s stance. Harris has the opportunity to navigate this complex political landscape without the direct responsibility for past actions, potentially charting a new course for US-Israel relations.
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