In a rare criticism of Israel, US Vice President Kamala Harris demanded a “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. Harris stated on Sunday that “an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table, must occur given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza.” “This will free the hostages and bring in a substantial amount of aid.”
In some of the harshest criticism of Israel yet from US President Joe Biden’s administration, Harris stated that Israel had to open more border crossings and pledge not to impose “unnecessary restrictions” in order to facilitate the delivery of aid.
Read More: Americans demand Gaza ceasefire, interrupt Biden campaign speech
“People in Gaza are going hungry.” Harris stated, “The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act,” at a memorial service for the police brutality against civil rights demonstrators on March 7, 1965 in Selma, Alabama. In order to greatly boost the flow of aid, the Israeli government needs to take further action. No justifications.
Harris also mentioned the incident that occurred on Thursday, stating that “too many innocent Palestinians have been killed.” The incident saw over 100 Palestinians dying as they attempted to obtain food aid in Gaza City. She uttered, “Our hearts bleed for the victims of that terrible tragedy.”
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Harris also pushed Hamas to abide by the conditions of a cease-fire agreement that US officials claim Israel has largely approved. “That deal needs Hamas’s approval,” she stated. “Let’s arrange a truce. Let’s get the captives back to their loved ones. And let us give the Gazan people urgent help.”
Harris made these remarks as left-leaning voters are putting more and more pressure on Biden because of his support for Israel in the run-up to November’s presidential election.
Democrats are becoming more and more worried that Biden’s position on the war may lose him electoral points, particularly in Michigan, one of the few battleground states that could determine the winner of the race.
