Washington, DC – Vice President Kamala Harris has emphasized that she will not remain silent about the suffering of Palestinians while Israel’s war in Gaza continues. The crucial question is what this means for U.S. foreign policy. During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris highlighted the plight of Palestinians in Gaza while also reiterating her support for Israel.
Activists advocating for Palestinian rights are questioning whether Harris’s statements are merely empty words without any real changes in U.S. policy, which is currently characterized by unconditional military and diplomatic support for Israel. Eman Abdelhadi, a sociologist at the University of Chicago, expressed her frustration: “Without a concrete commitment to stop the killings of children in Gaza, her empathy means nothing.” She underscored that the U.S. has a “responsibility” for the atrocities committed against Palestinians.
Although Harris’s comments have been interpreted as a shift in tone from President Biden’s rhetoric, critics point out that she did not propose any new policy measures. After her meeting with Netanyahu, Harris delivered a televised statement in which she reaffirmed her “unwavering commitment” to Israel and promised to ensure that the country can “defend itself.” However, she also expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, without directly pointing fingers at Israel as the responsible party.
Harris stated: “We cannot ignore the tragedies. I will not be silent.” She also supported Biden’s call for a multi-phase ceasefire. However, discussions between Israel and Hamas regarding a possible agreement have yet to yield a solution.
Hazami Barmada, an Arab-American activist, pointed out that Harris’s statements of sympathy do not produce tangible results. “We have witnessed genocide, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid for 76 years. Empathy is not enough; we need action,” she said.
Harris, who is likely to seek the Democratic nomination from Biden, has faced criticism for her approach to this issue in recent days. Meanwhile, many Democratic voters have expressed their dissent against the President’s Gaza policy by voting “undecided” in primaries. This movement has put forward three main demands: a lasting ceasefire, a weapons embargo against Israel, and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza.
Tariq Habash, a former political staffer in the Biden administration, described Harris’s changed tone as “refreshing,” but stressed that words must be followed by action. “We need a change in policy and approach to stop the unnecessary and arbitrary violence,” he stated.
While Harris’s empathetic remarks have garnered attention, activists believe they will only be significant if they lead to real changes in U.S. support for Israel. “Many want to support the upcoming Democratic candidate, but it is the vice president’s responsibility to earn those votes now,” Habash added.
Harris’s comments also follow a controversial statement in which she condemned protesters who demonstrated against Netanyahu in Washington, DC. Activists criticized her remarks for lacking nuance and not addressing the legitimate concerns raised by the demonstrators regarding the use of American taxpayer dollars to support Israel’s military actions.
For many advocates of Palestinian rights, it is critical to stop the suffering in Gaza. “Kind words do not bring the dead back, but action now can save the living,” stated YL Al-Sheikh, a Palestinian-American writer.
As the conflict in Gaza continues, the question now is whether Harris can translate her empathy into concrete actions that could change the current trajectory of U.S. relations with Israel and the Palestinians.