Vice President Kamala Harris has broken with President Biden and called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
Her comments, made Sunday during a speech in Selma, Alabama, are the strongest condemnation of Israel's behavior since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack by a senior member of the Biden administration.
They came just a day before she was scheduled to meet with a senior Israeli official to discuss a possible ceasefire agreement and a day after the U.S. began airdropping aid into the war-torn country,
“Before I begin, I need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” Harris said. “What we see every day in Gaza is devastating.”
She noted the “immense suffering” in the war-torn country and stressed that “there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks.”
Vice President Kamala Harris has broken with President Biden and called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza
Harris called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe” and urged a ceasefire for “at least the next six weeks.”
Harris addressed crowds as she stood at the Edmund Pettus Bridge during an event commemorating the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama
“This will get the hostages out and bring in a significant amount of help. “This will allow us to build something more lasting to ensure Israel’s security and respect the Palestinian people’s right to dignity, freedom and self-determination,” Harris said.
Her comments mark a departure from President Biden's previously more cautious approach as he struggles to find a balance between the U.S. role as an ally of Israel and growing international outrage over the bombing of Gaza.
It is estimated that around 30,000 Palestinians have died in retaliatory airstrikes since October 7, when Hamas first attacked Israel, with 1,139 people killed and 240 taken hostage.
She addressed reports that Gaza's population is currently starving after the United Nations warned that the area was dangerously close to famine.
Israel has been accused of blocking aid to Gaza and last week hundreds of hungry Palestinians were shot as they tried to get help from a food truck.
“Our hearts break for the victims of this terrible tragedy and for all the innocent people of Gaza who are suffering what is clearly a humanitarian catastrophe,” Harris added.
“The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity forces us to act.” The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.'
Harris addressed the crowd as she stood at the Edmund Pettus Bridge during an event commemorating the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in the city.
Biden said he “hopes” a ceasefire agreement can be reached by Monday. Harris' comments represent the strongest condemnation of Israel's behavior since the October 7 Hamas attack by a senior member of the Biden administration
It is estimated that around 30,000 Palestinians have died in retaliatory airstrikes since October 7, when Hamas first attacked Israel, with 1,139 people killed and 240 taken hostage
The United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the brink of famine and thousands of people are currently suffering from malnutrition
In the historic civil rights protest on March 7, 1965, demonstrators crossed the bridge and clashed with state police, who dispersed them with batons and tear gas.
The incident became a turning point in the civil rights struggle after images of the violent scenes spread across the country and around the world, sparking sympathy for the cause.
Harris' speech was met with cheers and thunderous applause from the audience.
It came a day before she was scheduled to meet Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House to discuss a ceasefire agreement – a move said to have angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Harris added that “a deal is on the table” and called on Hamas to accept it.
“Let's reach a ceasefire.” Let's reunite the hostages with their families. And let us provide immediate assistance to the people of Gaza,” Harris said.
Israel boycotted ceasefire talks in Cairo on Sunday after Hamas rejected its demand for a full list of names of hostages still alive, according to an Israeli newspaper.
Biden's strong support for Israel is beginning to wane amid international outrage over Israel's behavior.
Israel has been accused of blocking aid to Gaza and last week hundreds of hungry Palestinians were shot as they tried to get help from a food truck
Pressure is mounting on Biden to call for a ceasefire to win back progressive voters disillusioned with his support for Israel's behavior
What we see every day in Gaza is devastating, and our shared humanity compels us to act.
Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks. pic.twitter.com/mst8N9HxKa
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) March 3, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) is said to be outraged that Harris will meet with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz (right) on Monday
Immediately after October 7, he called a press conference in which he declared: “The United States stands with Israel. We will never fail to have their back.”
But just last week he expressed hope that an agreement could be reached by Monday to ensure a ceasefire, and on Friday he reiterated the U.S. commitment to help.
On Saturday, U.S. cargo planes dropped 38,000 meals into Gaza as part of a planned wave of aid to the besieged country.
Biden was under enormous pressure ahead of Tuesday's Michigan primary to win back votes among progressives and young people disillusioned with his support for Israel.
Michigan has the highest percentage and number of Arab Americans in the United States, at more than 211,000, or 2.1 percent. Biden narrowly took over the state from Trump in 2016.
Although he managed to clinch victory, a significant portion of the vote returned “non-committal” after a vigorous campaign by pro-Palestine activists, sparking fears for his chances in November.
Harris' comments were criticized by GOP Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina.
“Hamas started this war with an unprovoked attack on October 7th. Hamas violated the last ceasefire.” “The only thing Hamas can do is commit acts of terrorism,” he said on X.
“Demanding a ceasefire – without even a list of the remaining hostages – undermines Israel and supports terrorists.”