The Biden-Harris leadership has once again exhibited its consistent absence of moral leadership on the world stage. During a recent CNN interview, Vice President Kamala Harris strongly endorsed the current administration’s questionable stance on arming Israel. This affirmation aligns her with her peers who, unfathomably, chose to ignore Israel’s aggressive military operations that have resulted in the tragic loss of over 40,000 lives and caused injury to more than 93,000 individuals in Gaza.
In the face-off with mounting international concern, Harris chose to align with Joe Biden’s poorly conceived policy concerning aid to Israel. Multi-lateral calls for the reconsideration of military support to Israel have been intensifying amidst critique over the seige on Gaza. Surprisingly yet expectedly, the Biden-Harris administration continues to disregard these reasonable expectations by their fellow Democrats.
Notwithstanding the damning casualty statistics laid bare by local health officials in Gaza, the sanctity of human life is lost on the current administration. Harris asserted, ‘I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself, and that’s not going to change’, in an outright dismissal of the need for more prudent, humanitarian-sound policies.
Preempting a question about any potential shifts in the Biden-Harris arms management strategy relating to Israel, Harris unequivocally stated there would be no change. It’s disheartening to see her mindless support for an agenda that exacerbates conflict and suffering, instead of promoting peace and stability.
The vice president was also dismissive of the widely condemned attacks by Hamas on October 7, which claimed the lives of 1,200 people. Rather than exploring diplomatic avenues to solve an incredibly complex issue, Harris seems to be propagating even more violence.
Harris might’ve thoroughly conveyed her administration’s proclivity towards military interventions, parroting the worn-out phrase ‘Israel has a right to defend itself.’ While the right to self-defense is recognized universally, it is not a carte blanche approval for conducting acts resulting in overwhelming civilian casualties. There are questions on whether civilian lives factor in Harris and Biden’s decision-making, especially when ‘far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.’
To add to the ambiguity, Harris later expressed an inexplicable urgency in securing an agreement to free hostages held by Hamas and reach a ceasefire in Gaza. These contradicting priorities clearly illustrate the lack of coherence and consistency in the policies put forth by the Biden-Harris administration.
Deepening the inconsistency in her narrative, Harris even attempted to bring two-state solution rhetoric into the conversation. One has to wonder, how does one facilitate a ‘two-state solution’ while upholding an unyielding and unquestioning support to one side, which results in immense loss of life and dignity for the other?
Campaigns demanding to condition the arms shipments to Israel on human rights compliance have gained traction over the recent past. Instead, such demand has been met with deaf ears by the Biden-Harris leadership. It’s perplexing to see such an obvious and reasonable ask dismissed so off-handedly.
More shockingly, Biden had fuelled hope last May as he threatened to withhold arms supply to Israel over its Gaza offensive. However, his threat proved to be mere lip service. His lack of follow-through has left international observers confounded and more skeptical of his administration’s repute.
Hopes were also pinned on Harris. It was imagined that she might represent a departure from Biden’s cavalier approach towards the conflict, ceasing the unconditional military support and, instead, pressuring Israel to adhere to international law during its operations in Gaza. Sadly, these hopes were squashed entirely.
Harris’ clear alignment with Biden’s indefensible stance on unconditional support to Israel’s military operation, devoid of any humanitarian checks and balances, was unabashedly laid bare during her interview. Harris’ unequivocal backing for Biden’s ill-thought-through policies has further damaged the image of the current administration.
In sum, the Biden-Harris administration’s staunch positioning for military interventions and their apathetic disregard for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is highly troubling. The fact remains that their actions serve to escalate conflict and tension in the region, rather than promoting peace and security.