'1,200 were massacred, women were horribly raped on Oct. 7'

Harris says she won’t change US policy on arming Israel, stresses need for hostage deal

VP: I’m ‘unwavering’ in support for Israel, but how it defends itself matters; too many innocent Palestinians have died; ending war will allow move toward two-state solution

By Jacob Magid 30 August 2024, 6:09 am Edit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

US Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview with CNN broadcast on August 29, 2024. (Screenshot: CNN)
US Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview with CNN broadcast on August 29, 2024. (Screenshot: CNN)

US Vice President Kamala Harris said Thursday that she won’t change US President Joe Biden’s policy of arming Israel, in her latest rejection of calls to curb weapons shipments or end them completely.

Harris was pressed on the matter during a CNN interview with her running mate Tim Walz — her first since becoming the Democratic party’s presidential nominee last month.

Highlighting calls by progressives to withhold weapons shipments to Israel, CNN asked Harris whether she would take a different approach to the Israel-Hamas war than Biden has. Interviewer Dana Bash didn’t mention that Biden has, in fact, withheld one transfer of heavy bombs, though, part of it was eventually released and all other shipments have continued.

Harris began her answer by pivoting, reiterating remarks she made in her speech at the Democratic National Convention last week.

“I’m unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change,” Harris said.

“But let’s take a step back. October 7 — 1,200 people were massacred, many young people who were simply attending a music festival. Women were horribly raped,” the vice president continued.

“As I said then, I say today: Israel has a right to defend itself. We would,” she said.

“And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed,” Harris added, referencing her concern over Israel’s prosecution of the war — something she has been slightly more vocal in Biden in emphasizing.

The vice president then reiterated her belief in the urgent need for a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas. Indirect negotiations continued in Doha this week, though the sides remained at odds regarding the withdrawal of IDF troops from two key corridors: Philadelphi between Egypt and Gaza, and Netzarim, which divided the northern and southern halves of the enclave.

“This war must end, and we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out,” Harris stresses, noting that she has met with the families of the eight American hostages. “Let’s get the ceasefire done.”

Pushed again on whether she would change the current policy regarding weapons shipments, Harris responded, “No” before quickly continuing her point about the need for a hostage deal.

“When you look at the significance of this to the families, to the people who are living in that region — a deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war but will unlock so much of what must happen next,” the vice president said, not straying from her message.

“I remain committed — since I’ve been on October 8 — to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution, where Israel is secure and — in equal measure — the Palestinians have security and self-determination and dignity,” the Democratic presidential nominee added.

In her DNC speech last week, Harris pledged that if she is elected in November, Israel will always have the support it needs to defend itself.

“Let me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself,” she said, drawing thunderous applause from the tens of thousands in the United Center.

The line amounted to a rejection of a loud and heavily-covered fringe of Democratic delegates and anti-Israel protesters outside of the party who have been calling for an Israel arms embargo.

Harris has not deviated publicly from the Biden administration’s policies on Israel during her time as vice president, although some have seen her rhetoric throughout the war as more sharply emphasizing the plight of Palestinians.

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