Kamala Harris: What She's Said About Israel-Hamas War

Vice President Kamala Harris will see many of her policy positions come under increased scrutiny now that President Joe Biden is not seeking reelection and has endorsed her as his successor to take on former President Donald Trump in November.

When it comes to the Israel-Hamas war, Harris has consistently voiced her support for Israel's right to defend itself while also expressing concern for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need to address the suffering of Palestinians.

Newsweek has gathered together some of the vice president's key statements on the conflict, which have suggested she may take a tougher tone with Israel than Biden has done, according to analysts who spoke to Reuters.

Initial Response to the October 7 Attacks

Following the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas, Harris condemned the group's actions. She labeled Hamas a "barbaric terrorist organization" and supported Israel's right to defend itself against such threats. Harris reiterated the U.S.'s unwavering support for Israel's security during her discussions with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog​, according to a White House statement.

Criticism of Israel and Calls for a Ceasefire

Harris has also been vocal about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In March, she called for an "immediate" pause in fighting and said that Israel had not done enough to ease a "humanitarian catastrophe."

"People in Gaza are starving," Harris said during remarks at an event commemorating the 59th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" in Alabama. "The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act."

"The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses," Harris said.

Later that month in a television interview, the vice president didn't rule out "consequences" for Israel if they pursued an invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, according to Politico.

Sexual Violence Condemnation

On June 17, Harris hosted an event at the White House, which included a panel discussion and remarks by advocates and survivors of Conflict Related Sexual Violence. At this event, she gave a public address where she stated that, "sexual violence remains a gruesome part of modern conflict around the globe."

Harris publicly condemned acts of sexual violence committed by Hamas on October 7 at this event. She stated that, "In the days after October 7, I saw images of bloodied Israeli women abducted." Harris said that she "Met with Amit, a survivor who has bravely come forward with her account of sexual violence while she was held captive by Hamas. These testimonies, I fear, will only increase as more hostages are released." She added that, "My heart breaks for all these survivors and their families and for all the pain and suffering over the past eight months in Israel and in Gaza."

Harris went on to comment that, "It is the responsibility of all of us – governments, international organizations, civil society, and individual citizens – to actively confront conflict-related sexual violence."

What's Next

In a January call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Harris said that the U.S. wanted "to see a more integrated, connected, and prosperous Middle East," according to a readout of the call from the White House. The readout also said, "The Vice President reiterated U.S. positions, including that Israel must be secure, there must be no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and the Palestinians must have a hopeful political horizon."

So, despite the sometimes blunter language used than Biden, some don't see a huge shift in policy on the horizon.

"There's really no daylight to be found" between Biden and Harris on Israel, Haile Soifer, a former national security advisor for Harris when she was a senator, told Reuters.

Hatem Abudayyeh, National Chair of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network, accused Harris and Biden of "unequivocally supporting" genocide. He told Newsweek, "There is no difference between Biden, Harris, or any of the likely candidates for the nomination. They are all complicit."

Newsweek has reached out to Biden's campaign via email for comment. In May, Biden defended Israel against claims of committing genocide. "What's happening in Gaza is not genocide. We reject that," he said at a White House event celebrating Jewish Heritage Month.

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Harris' office made clear she disagreed with the characterization of Israel's actions as a genocide following an event at George Mason University where a student described Israel's actions in Gaza as "ethnic genocide" in a discussion with the vice president.

Harris is expected to meet with Netanyahu this week when he visits Washington, D.C.

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