Harris doesn’t need to impose a full embargo on Israel – but she can pledge to enforce US laws restricting arms transfers to human rights violators
By Mohamad Bazzi, The Guardian
Since she emerged as the Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden dropped out of the race, Kamala Harris has expressed more sympathy for Palestinians than the president she is hoping to replace. But so far, Harris has made clear that she won’t deviate from Biden’s core policy on the Gaza war: unconditional US support for Israel and its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, no matter what he does to block a ceasefire and prolong the conflict.
“I’m unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself,” Harris told CNN on 29 August, in her first major TV interview since securing the nomination. She added: “Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.” These comments reinforced her acceptance speech at the Democratic national convention a week earlier, where she pledged to “always stand up for Israel” and also called for Palestinian “freedom and self-determination”.
Harris doubled down on Biden’s months-long effort to broker a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. But, like Biden, Harris is refusing to use the most effective US leverage over Netanyahu: withholding billions of dollars in weapons that Washington has rushed to Israel since the 7 October attack by Hamas. For months, Biden and his aides have been spinning their wheels and getting outmaneuvered by Netanyahu, who continues to sabotage ceasefire negotiations by adding new conditions.
While Harris insists that she wants a ceasefire, she has gotten bogged down in a semantic debate about whether she would support an arms embargo against Israel. Harris has made clear she won’t break with the Biden administration’s policy on supplying Israel with weapons without any conditions. But Harris doesn’t need to impose a full-scale embargo on Israel.
Recent Posts
Chicago Battlefields: The Cost Of The War Economy
Take Action Now Over thirty people, including children, were kidnapped, while the rest of the residents had their zip ties cut off and were sent back…
Zohran’s Proposals Are Surprisingly Affordable
Take Action Now I wish all revolutions came this cheap.By RJ Eskow, The Zero Hour Report Here’s something for New York City residents to consider…
The Democratic Party Needs A Soul, Not A Focus Group
Take Action Now Exposing the flawed logic of a centrist pivot for DemocratsBy Sam Rosenthal Nearly exactly a year later, two narratives have taken…
The Money Versus Mamdani in the Final Stretch of NYC Mayoral Race
Take Action Now Unpacking the expensive eleventh-hour efforts by billionaires targeting Zohran Mamdani.By Meghnad Bose and Biplob Kumar Das, Drop…