Harris pledges to 'do everything' to end war on Gaza, if elected
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If elected President, Kamala Harris has pledged to end the war in Gaza, making this commitment just two days before Election Day as the race is expected to be a tight one.
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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally at Erie Insurance Arena, in Erie, Pa., on October 14, 2024. (AP)
US Democratic nominee Kamala Harris pledged on Sunday to do everything within her power to end the war in the besieged Gaza Strip if elected president, making her remarks just two days before Election Day.
Harris had earlier stressed her commitment to "Israel's" "self-defense," pointing out that the occupation's security is of paramount importance for the United States.
“This year has been difficult given the scale of death and destruction in Gaza and given the civilian casualties and displacement in Lebanon. It is devastating, and as president, I will do everything in my power to end the war in Gaza, to bring home the hostages, end the suffering in Gaza, ensure Israel is secure, and ensure the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination,” she said at a campaign rally in the crucial battleground state of Michigan.
Harris urgently needs to secure a majority in the seven key battleground states during this election cycle, as she faces a virtual dead heat with former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. According to a compilation of polling data from RealClearPolitics, Trump leads by just 0.1% nationally, with five polls showing them in a tie.
As many Democratic voters attributed the ongoing atrocities in Gaza to "Israel," the Democratic candidate addressed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It is noteworthy that the Biden-Harris administration fueled the genocide by refusing to discontinue arms transfers to "Israel".
A balance between Jewish-Arab voters, 'a complete mess'
In an earlier report by Foreign Policy, columnist Emma Ashford suggested that Harris could be jeopardizing her Michigan bid. The columnist suggests that reports indicated that Trump has urged Netanyahu to wrap up the ongoing war by Inauguration Day, which implies that Republicans may be taking a more nuanced and strategic approach to Middle East policy than their Democratic counterparts.
In turn, Ashford suggests that the Harris campaign is attempting to carefully balance its approach to appeal to both Arab and Jewish voters in different states, describing it as a "complete mess".
In further detail, she argued that the Harris campaign's strategy is fundamentally flawed. In Michigan, home to a significant Arab population—particularly of Lebanese descent—Harris appeared alongside Liz Cheney, a staunch proponent of the Iraq War. Compounding the misstep, the campaign enlisted former President Bill Clinton to address voters, where he emphasized that Israelis have been in the region longer than Islam has existed.
This approach, according to the author, underscores a lack of sensitivity to the concerns of Arab voters and raises questions about the overall effectiveness of the campaign.
Michigan, home to a dynamic Arab and Muslim community and with 15 Electoral College votes at stake, is essential to her electoral chances. It is regarded as one of the key swing states this year, along with Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Election Day is scheduled for November 5, when Americans will not only determine the future of the presidency but also the composition of Congress and various state and local races.
