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Report: Kamala Harris Pushing Biden to Show Concern for Palestinians Amid Gaza Conflict
Report: Kamala Harris Pushing Biden to Show Concern for Palestinians Amid Gaza Conflict
Sputnik International
US Vice President Kamala Harris is pushing behind the scenes to get the Biden administration to show more sympathy for Palestinians, US media reports.
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US Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly pushing US President Joe Biden and administration officials to show more sympathy toward Palestinians in Gaza.A US media report, which cites three unnamed Biden administration officials, states Harris has urged the president and others to show more sympathy for the thousands of Palestinian civilians who have been killed by Israel as part of its response to Hamas’ October 7 attack.More than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed since Israel started bombing Gaza, including at least 7,729 children. Another 50,594 Palestinians have been injured, including 8,663 children. An additional 286 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including at least 65 children.Per Israel's tally, 1,147 Israelis were killed in Hamas’ attack. It also claims about 240 civilians and soldiers were taken hostage during the attack.According to at least one Biden administration official, via US media, the vice president has suggested the US take a stricter approach with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In recent weeks, the administration has used more forceful language while calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza. Earlier this week, Biden condemned what he called “indiscriminate bombing” by Israel and called on the Netanyahu government to change its tactics, but the Biden administration is nevertheless pushing for Congress to approve $14 billion in aid to the country.US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have also given lip service to reducing civilian casualties, cautioning Israel that its tactics could help Hamas in the long run. “The center of gravity is the civilian population and if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat,” Austin said early this month.Harris’ press secretary Kristen Allen has denied there was a gap between the vice president and other officials, including Biden.But according to multiple media reports, Harris urged Biden to include a line decrying Islamophobia in his first speech after the October 7 attack. Biden did not mention Islamophobia in his speech.The reported push by Harris may be an attempt to win back some of the Democratic base that the Biden administration has lost, due at least in part to its response in Gaza.According to a poll released weeks after Israel’s bombing of Gaza began, Biden’s job approval among Arab Americans had dropped to just 17%, a 42-point drop from its 2020 number. Additionally, only one-third of Americans overall say they approve of his handling of the conflict, including just 19% of voters under 30.A different poll stated Biden has seen an uptick in Democratic approval of his handling of the situation in recent days, perhaps a reflection of the administration’s more forceful language.After a meeting with leaders of Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, Harris used her most forceful language yet while talking about civilian deaths. “The United States is unequivocal: International humanitarian law must be respected. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering, and the images and videos coming from Gaza are devastating. It is truly heartbreaking,” she said.Wa’el Alzayat, the CEO of the Muslim advocacy group Emgage, welcomed Harris’ harder tone. “She’s using stronger language regarding the Israelis needing to not harm civilians," adding that the comments could be aimed at “chipping away at the terrible numbers” with young voters.Warren David, president of media outlet Arab America agreed, saying the words need to be backed with action. “It doesn’t really mean anything, it’s empty, if there’s no action being taken,” he said, adding that “if she’s influencing the president to stop the genocide in Gaza, I welcome that.”Last week, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the blood of Palestinians is on the hands of the Biden administration, saying, “to minimize civilian casualties shows blatant disregard and disrespect for our people’s blood.”On Thursday, Netanyahu thanked the US for its UN veto of the ceasefire resolution and promised to continue the war, “Nothing will stop us. We are going on to the end, until victory, nothing less,” he said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231122/israel-would-prefer-dead-hostages-to-gaza-ceasefire--scott-ritter-1115145227.html
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231214/israel-wont-let-any-country-against-western-hegemony-open-gaza-hospital-claims-expert-1115581913.html
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231212/ex-cia-officer-ceasefire-veto-and-white-phosphorus-shells-for-israel-show-us-isolatation-1115541630.html
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kamala harris and gaza, harris pushing biden, biden administration on gaza genocide
kamala harris and gaza, harris pushing biden, biden administration on gaza genocide
Report: Kamala Harris Pushing Biden to Show Concern for Palestinians Amid Gaza Conflict
On Tuesday, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Of the 153 members, only 10, including the US and Israel, voted against the resolution.
US Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly pushing US President Joe Biden and administration officials to show more sympathy toward Palestinians in Gaza.
A US media
report, which cites three unnamed Biden administration officials, states Harris has urged the president and others to show more sympathy for the thousands of Palestinian civilians who have been killed by Israel as part of its response to Hamas’ October 7 attack.
More than 18,700 Palestinians have been killed since Israel started bombing Gaza, including at least 7,729 children. Another 50,594 Palestinians have been injured, including 8,663 children. An additional 286 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including at least 65 children.
Per Israel's tally, 1,147 Israelis were killed in Hamas’ attack. It also claims about 240 civilians and soldiers were taken hostage during the attack.
According to at least one Biden administration official, via US media, the vice president has suggested the US take a stricter approach with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In recent weeks, the administration has used more forceful language while calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza. Earlier this week, Biden condemned what he called “indiscriminate bombing” by Israel and called on the Netanyahu government to change its tactics, but the Biden administration is nevertheless pushing for Congress to approve $14 billion in aid to the country.
22 November 2023, 19:34 GMT
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have also given lip service to reducing civilian casualties, cautioning Israel that its tactics could help Hamas in the long run. “The center of gravity is the civilian population and if you drive them into the arms of the enemy, you replace a tactical victory with a strategic defeat,” Austin said early this month.
“We will continue to press Israel to protect civilians and to ensure the robust flow of humanitarian aid,” Austin added.
Harris’ press secretary Kristen Allen has denied there was a gap between the vice president and other officials, including Biden.
“There is no daylight between the president and the vice president, nor has there been,” Allen said, adding that she “would caution the media about citing anonymous sources in the ‘orbit’ about sensitive national security conversations between the president and vice president.”
But according to multiple media reports, Harris urged Biden to include a line decrying Islamophobia in his first speech after the October 7 attack. Biden did not mention Islamophobia in his speech.
The reported push by Harris may be an attempt to win back some of the Democratic base that the Biden administration has lost, due at least in part to its response in Gaza.
According to a poll released weeks after Israel’s bombing of Gaza began, Biden’s job approval among Arab Americans had dropped to just 17%, a 42-point drop from its 2020 number. Additionally,
only one-third of Americans overall say they approve of his handling of the conflict, including just 19% of voters under 30.
14 December 2023, 13:34 GMT
A
different poll stated Biden has seen an uptick in Democratic approval of his handling of the situation in recent days, perhaps a reflection of the administration’s more forceful language.
After a meeting with leaders of Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, Harris used her most forceful language yet while talking about civilian deaths. “The United States is unequivocal: International humanitarian law must be respected. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering, and the images and videos coming from Gaza are devastating. It is truly heartbreaking,” she said.
Wa’el Alzayat, the CEO of the Muslim advocacy group Emgage, welcomed Harris’ harder tone. “She’s using stronger language regarding the Israelis needing to not harm civilians," adding that the comments could be aimed at “chipping away at the terrible numbers” with young voters.
But others believe the administration’s tone is meaningless without action. “I think [growing calls for a ceasefire in the US] caused … Biden administration officials to start speaking in a different tone. Whether that’s been translated in terms of policy – I don’t think so,” Omar Rahman of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs told Arab media.
Warren David, president of media outlet Arab America agreed, saying the words need to be backed with action. “It doesn’t really mean anything, it’s empty, if there’s no action being taken,” he said, adding that “if she’s influencing the president to stop the genocide in Gaza, I welcome that.”
12 December 2023, 17:21 GMT
Last week, the US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the blood of Palestinians is on the hands of the Biden administration, saying, “to minimize civilian casualties shows blatant disregard and disrespect for our people’s blood.”
“Every drop of blood spilled from a child or infant or woman or elderly person is the responsibility of the [Israeli] occupation and the US administration.”
On Thursday, Netanyahu thanked the US for its UN veto of the ceasefire resolution and promised to continue the war, “Nothing will stop us. We are going on to the end, until victory, nothing less,” he said.
