In a Presidential debate Tuesday night, Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her call for a ceasefire-for-hostage deal in Gaza, yet she failed to present any actionable plan on how to achieve this, given that Hamas has consistently rejected every proposal put forth by the Biden administration, of which she is a key member. Harris' statements appeared to straddle both sides of the conflict, expressing sympathy for both Israelis and Palestinians without directly condemning Hamas for its relentless aggression and role in perpetuating the violence. This diplomatic balancing act has left many questioning her commitment to holding Hamas accountable, despite the terror group’s blatant disregard for peace and international norms.

Harris condemned the brutal Hamas attacks on October 7th, where over one thousand Israelis were slaughtered and thousands more injured during a hate fueled rape and torture campaign in southern Israel. However, she quickly pivoted to criticize Israel’s defensive military operations in Gaza, lamenting the tragic loss of Palestinian lives without acknowledging Hamas' deliberate strategy of using civilians as human shields. By embedding themselves in hospitals, schools, and other humanitarian sites to launch attacks against Israel, Hamas not only endangers Palestinian lives but manipulates global narratives to gain sympathy and delegitimize Israel's right to defend itself. Harris, a former Attorney General of California, surprisingly appeared to sidestep these legal complexities, instead placing a disproportionate share of the blame on Israel, one of America's staunchest allies.

Trump’s Take: Harris’ Leadership Would Be a Disaster for Israel

Former President Donald Trump, never one to mince words, asserted that the conflict would have never escalated under his leadership, emphasizing his administration's strong support for Israel and tough stance on Iran. Trump went as far as to warn that if Harris were ever to become President, Israel's existence could be in jeopardy, suggesting that her perceived anti-Israel leanings would embolden Israel’s adversaries. “She hates Israel,” Trump declared repeatedly, arguing that her actions and alliances with the far-left, who have been vocally protesting Israel since the October 7th attacks, reveal her true stance.

At last night's debate, Vice President Kamala Harris said she supports Israel's right to defend itself.

Here are 10 ways she has “contributed” to Israel's self defense:

1. Her administration released $16,000,000,000 (billion) to Iran. Iran orchestrated October 7th and has… pic.twitter.com/fHyOMaPK28

— Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) September 11, 2024

It was under President Trump that the United States formally acknowledged Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, moved the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in compliance with a 1990s US Congressional vote that had been ignored by Presidents until Trump, and brokered the successful Abraham Accords which saw the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocca normalize relations with Israel.

Trump pointed out Harris’ absence from critical moments of U.S.-Israel relations, notably her decision not to attend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s historic fourth address to Congress, the most of any foreign leader in history edging out Winston Churchill who spoke three times to the legislative body, choosing instead to prioritize a personal event which Trump pointed out was her college sorority reunion. This, according to Trump, is emblematic of her lack of commitment to Israel's security. Harris, on the other hand, refuted these allegations, pointing to her support for Israel’s right to self-defense and her advocacy for a two-state solution. However, Hamas' outright rejection of such a framework as recently as last month and countless times in the past again showed Harris' lack of proficiency on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Fact Check: True

While Israel faces an existential threat on multiple fronts, Kamala Harris prefferd to speak to the Zeta Phi Beta sorority instead of going to the sitting Israeli PM's congressional address pic.twitter.com/o44GJw6qhV

— Eitan Fischberger (@EFischberger) September 11, 2024

Navigating the Ceasefire: A Pledge without a Plan

The question of how to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas surfaced during the debate, but Harris’ response left much to be desired. She expressed that Israel should retain the right to defend itself but coupled this with calls for rebuilding Gaza and granting Palestinians the dignity and self-determination they deserve. Such statements, while noble, do not grapple with the fundamental obstacle: Hamas, a designated terror organization by the U.S., refuses to recognize Israel's right to exist and is determined to pursue its goals through violence rather than diplomacy.

Trump seized the moment to criticize the Biden administration’s broader Middle East policy, particularly its dealings with Iran. He accused the administration of empowering Iran by lifting sanctions, thereby funneling resources to terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump's argument rests on his belief that a stronger, more assertive U.S. stance under his leadership would have deterred the escalation of violence seen today.

A Stark Warning for the Future

Trump didn't stop at criticizing Harris’ handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. He painted a grim picture of the Middle East's future under Harris’ potential leadership, predicting dire consequences for both Israelis and Arabs if current U.S. policies continue. He also boasted of his own diplomatic prowess, claiming he could swiftly bring an end to not only the Israel-Gaza conflict but also the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, even before taking office if re-elected.

Here's the clip from the debate in which Kamala lays out her thoughts on Israel and the Palestinians.

To her credit, she clearly states that Hamas started this war on Oct 7 by slaughtering Israelis and committing atrocities. And she says that Israel has a right to defend itself… pic.twitter.com/f7tkWmmrD7

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) September 11, 2024

Conclusion

The debate highlighted stark differences in how the two political figures perceive and propose to handle the complex and volatile situation in Gaza. Harris’ calls for a ceasefire, coupled with her cautious criticism of Israel, suggest a desire to appease both sides of the conflict. However, her approach risks alienating pro-Israel supporters who see a clear aggressor in Hamas and expect stronger U.S. condemnation of the terror group. Trump's unwavering support for Israel and his critique of Harris’ record resonate with those who view Israel as a critical ally deserving unqualified backing, especially in times of conflict. As the situation in Gaza remains tense, the debate over U.S. policy towards Israel and Hamas continues to be a contentious and polarizing issue in American politics.