Vice President Harris announcing Sinwar's Death on Thursday (Video Snippet/C-Span)

Vice President Kamala Harris, known for her vocal opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza earlier this year, is now shockingly attempting to claim credit for the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar, the architect of the devastating October 7 attacks that claimed over 1,200 lives, was neutralized by Israeli forces in Rafah, Gaza—a city Harris once sternly warned Israel against entering. The vice president’s recent statements celebrating Sinwar’s death and hailing it as an "opportunity to end the war" are a stark contrast to her earlier stance, leaving many to wonder: How did we get here?

Harris’ Opposition to Israel’s Rafah Operation

Let’s rewind to March 2024. At that time, Kamala Harris, then a Democratic vice-presidential candidate seeking a second term in Joe Biden's administration, issued a severe warning to Israel regarding its planned offensive in Rafah, a densely populated enclave in southern Gaza. With Hamas deeply entrenched in civilian areas, Israel was faced with the difficult decision of how to neutralize terrorist leaders while minimizing civilian casualties. Harris, capitalizing on a fragile political base that included progressive and Muslim voters, publicly condemned Israel's military plans. She went as far as to declare the southern Gaza operation a "red line" for the United States, hinting at "consequences" if Israel proceeded.

In an interview with ABC News, Harris painted a bleak picture of Rafah, stating, "Let me tell you something: I have been studying the maps. There's nowhere for those folks to go, and we're looking at about 1.5 million people in Rafah." Her comments were not merely cautionary—they bordered on a diplomatic threat, warning Israel that military action would carry a heavy price, both politically and diplomatically, in U.S.-Israel relations. The message was clear: Don’t go into Rafah.

But Israel, unwavering in its fight against Hamas, pressed on.

Fast Forward to Sinwar’s Death—And Harris' Convenient Amnesia

Fast forward to October. Israeli forces, in a fierce overnight battle in Rafah, eliminated Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’ most-wanted leader. In a twist of irony, the very operation Harris had opposed became the pinnacle of Israel's recent military success. The IDF's calculated offensive, far from the "disaster" Harris had warned about, was a resounding achievement. Sinwar was not just a key figure in Hamas—he was a symbol of its brutality and strategic mastermind behind some of the most lethal attacks on Israel in recent history.

But instead of sticking to her original position, Harris quickly pivoted. Speaking while campaigning in Wisconsin as the Democratic party's Presidential candidate after Biden announced he was not seeking a second term, she heralded Sinwar’s death as a turning point for peace, declaring, “Justice has been served, and the United States, Israel, and the entire world are better off as a result." She went on to say, "This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza." The sudden shift from condemnation to celebration left many scratching their heads specifically because she was speaking to the same base of progressive and Muslims who have been protesting her administration to force an end to the war.

Harris' Attempt to Reframe History

Harris' newfound enthusiasm for Israel’s success didn’t stop there. She continued to frame the elimination of Sinwar as a victory for U.S.-Israel cooperation, despite the fact that her administration had been anything but cooperative regarding Israel's actions in Rafah. While President Joe Biden struck a more measured tone in his remarks, emphasizing the broader U.S.-Israel alliance, Harris was eager to insert herself into the narrative, portraying Sinwar’s death as something she had been instrumental in achieving.

It’s important to note, however, that the operation that led to Sinwar’s death was a purely Israeli endeavor, and was a happy accident. The IDF unit responsible for killing Sinwar had not even set out with the goal of finding him. It was a standard building-clearing mission with a regular unit, not the special forces that had been hunting Sinwar since Israel entered Gaza last October. Only after a skirmish with several Hamas fighters did they realize—through DNA and forensic testing—that they had taken out the top Hamas leader. Yet, Harris' remarks implied a level of U.S. involvement and strategic planning that simply didn’t exist.

A Question of Integrity: Political Opportunism at Its Worst

Harris’ attempt to take credit for Sinwar's death reeks of political opportunism. As she campaigns for what is arguably the highest office in the world, her record on Israel is clearly under scrutiny. After months of pressuring Israel to show restraint, she now attempts to bask in the glow of Israel’s military success, using it as a convenient talking point on the campaign trail. But this flip-flopping is more than just bad optics—it reveals a troubling lack of consistency on matters of national security and foreign policy. Many saw Harris' pivot as an attempt to quell concerns over her lack of qualifications to be the Commander in Chief of America's armed forces, however somehow she managed to insert control over the Israel Defense Forces into that role as well.

Seven months ago, Harris all but demanded that Israel abandon its military plans in Rafah, branding it as reckless and dangerous. But now, as Israel's success story unfolds and public opinion shifts, she eagerly takes credit for the very outcome she sought to prevent. The vice president’s actions expose a politician willing to reshape the narrative when it suits her, leaving Israeli officials—and the American public—wondering where she really stands.

Conclusion: An Uncomfortable Truth

Kamala Harris’ inconsistency on Israel’s Gaza offensive is not just hypocritical—it’s dangerous. For a leader of her stature to one moment condemn Israel’s military actions and in the next breathe a sigh of relief over their success undermines her credibility. While she may hope to win political points by celebrating Israel's achievements, the truth is that Israel succeeded despite her opposition, not because of her support.

Harris’ newfound praise for the elimination of Yahya Sinwar should be seen for what it is: a calculated move to align herself with a winning narrative. But in doing so, she risks further alienating those who see through her transparent attempt to rewrite history. As the war in Gaza continues, Israel deserves unwavering allies—not fair-weather politicians.

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