Squandering yet another opportunity to address the true villainy of Hamas, Vice President Kamala Harris artfully downplayed the deadly assault last year. In an overt act of ignorance, she chose to discuss ‘the immense suffering of innocent Palestinians’ while downplaying the atrocities committed by the perpetrators, Hamas. Her narrative is incredulous and a telling indicator of the current government’s misplaced priorities. With her spouse, Doug Emhoff, standing like a silent accomplice, the Vice President’s words do a disservice to those who lost their lives in the Oct. 7, 2024 Hamas-led attacks.
Marking the anniversary of the brutal attack on Israel, Vice President Kamala Harris indulged in sentimental symbolism instead of proposing any definitive measures to challenge Hamas and its egregious activities. Planting a pomegranate tree – a somewhat commonplace ‘symbol of hope and righteousness’ in Judaism – at her official residence in Washington, Ms. Harris attempted to paint a glossy veneer over the gravity of the situation. Her speech, laden with empty rhetoric, only reiterated facts. The fact remains that around 1,200 people were butchered in Israel last year and hostages are still captive in Hamas’s control.
In a display of continued surface-level commitment, the Vice President feebly reiterated that nothing should allow the Oct. 7 cataclysm to repeat itself. But empty promises and inaction have left us all wondering – where is the practical agenda to back up these words? If the Vice President remains committed to ensuring Israel’s defense and Jews’ safety both here and internationally, then these promises need to be backed with tangible actions – not mere words.
Notwithstanding her previous calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, Vice President Harris conveniently sidestepped any strong action on such fronts. She offered a token acknowledgement of the significant Palestinian deaths resulting from Israel’s counter-offensive against Hamas. Instead of focusing on eliminating terror from its roots, she called for working towards alleviating the ‘immense suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza.’
While the Vice President read her remarks beside a silence-struck Doug Emhoff, there were protests audible in the background. It’s evident that her tone-deaf approach towards the Oct. 7 attacks and the subsequent humanitarian crisis in Gaza is creating rifts within the party’s own supporters. The Democratic party is often backed by Jewish, Muslim, and Arab American voters – but if recent reactions to the party’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is anything to go by, it seems the Democrats are losing their stronghold over these communities.
Meanwhile, the Republicans are attempting to appeal to Jewish voters by countering the Democrats’ stance on Israel. Despite the occasional contradictions from former President Trump, it is clear that they are ready to challenge the incumbent party’s approach. The ongoing disharmony and ambiguity in the Democratic party has been detrimental not only domestically but also internationally, thwarting any progress made towards peace in the Middle East.
Interestingly, Muslim and Arab Americans – particularly in Michigan – have risen against the current administration’s support for Israel. They’ve expressed resolute discontent over Ms. Harris’s failure to challenge the United States’ military and financial aid towards Israel. This apathy only highlights how the Vice President has failed to uphold democratic values and continues to side with oppressive regimes against marginalized communities.
Commemorating the Oct. 7 anniversary, all candidates – sitting and aspiring of both parties – organized public demonstrations of solidarity to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. Despite these attempts to pacify public sentiment, citizens are not easily fooled by such performative measures. The nation awaits concrete, tangible actions from its leaders, not performative gestures that merely masquerade as empathetic responses.
In a highly choreographed move, Vice President Harris and Mr. Emhoff even went as far as planting a pomegranate tree at the base of their residence. While they may have hoped such a move would soften the public’s disdain, the lack of concrete action towards resolving the conflict is increasingly apparent.
Fielding a reporter’s question after this superficial ceremonial tree planting, Ms. Harris claimed the administration’s ‘highest priorities’ included negotiating a cease-fire in Gaza. However, these mere words echo hollow when juxtaposed with the inaction and complacency evident in their foreign policy. Save for token gestures, what genuine efforts are in the pipeline to deliver on this promise?
Earlier in the day, President Biden participated in a candle-lighting ceremony at the White House, the yahrzeit candle serving as a grim reminder of the profound loss of lives on Oct. 7. However, his lack of any verbal acknowledgement was conspicuous, almost conveying an underlying reluctance to engage in a direct conversation about the grim situation.
Former President Trump, on the other hand, memorialized the anniversary of the attack by visiting the grave of Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, a prominent leader in the Jewish community. This visit was marked with reverence and respect, showcasing a direct connect and empathy for the events that unfolded last year.
Senator JD Vance of Ohio sharply criticized President Biden and Vice President Harris for their stance in the Middle East, rightfully pointing out their inaction in bringing home the hostages still held by Hamas. At the same time, he challenged pro-Palestinian protesters, challenging their calls for a cease-fire, making an astute observation that such requests merely represented a one-sided surrender.
Meanwhile, Ms. Harris’s running mate, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, paid a decidedly detached tribute to the attack’s anniversary. His visit to the Nova Exhibition, a mobile installation memorializing the music festival where more than 380 people died in the Hamas-led assault, felt more like checking off a line item from the protocol list than genuine empathy.