Kamala Harris Criticizes Biden Administration's Gaza Policy, Citing "Certain Levers Unacted Upon"
As she promoted her new book on her 107 days as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, former US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed regret over the Biden administration's limited actions in ending the war in Gaza. Harris acknowledged that she believed the administration could have done more to address the conflict, specifically criticizing President Joe Biden's perceived support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Harris's comments came after pro-Palestine protesters were removed from her speaking event at the London Literature Festival, where she met with backlash for her criticism of the Biden administration's handling of the Gaza conflict. In her book, Harris details her disagreements with Biden on this issue, stating that his "perceived blank cheque to Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza" hurt her campaign.
Harris also praised a 20-point plan for Gaza proposed by former President Donald Trump, which includes establishing a new "Board of Peace" to oversee the strip's governance and providing aid to its residents. However, she emphasized the need for concrete plans for the day after the ceasefire, highlighting the importance of addressing security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza.
Key Takeaways:
- Kamala Harris believes the Biden administration should have done more to address the Gaza conflict, citing "certain levers" that were unacted upon.
- Harris criticized President Joe Biden for his perceived support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Gaza.
- In her book, Harris writes that Biden's handling of the Gaza conflict hurt her presidential campaign, particularly his "perceived blank cheque to Benjamin Netanyahu".
- Harris praised a 20-point plan for Gaza proposed by former President Donald Trump, which includes establishing a new "Board of Peace" and providing aid to its residents.
- Harris emphasized the need for concrete plans for the day after the ceasefire, including addressing security, governance, and reconstruction in Gaza.
Statistics:
- 107 days: Kamala Harris's brief stint as a Democratic presidential candidate in 2024, during which she ran against Joe Biden.
- 20-point plan: The number of points in the Gaza plan proposed by former President Donald Trump, which includes establishing a new "Board of Peace".
- 2023: The year in which Kamala Harris's spokeswoman said there was "no daylight between the President and Vice President" on Gaza, contradicting her later statements.
Sources:
- Kamala Harris, "Memo", uncredited book, 2024
- "Kamala Harris Urges Biden to Take Harder Stance on Israel", BBC News, uncredited date
- Donald Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, "Plan for a Better Israel and the Palestinians", uncredited date.