WASHINGTON—Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris stated that Washington will continue to pressure Israel and other parties in the Middle East to reach a cease-fire agreement in Gaza, despite advocates claiming that the United States has not fully utilized its influence over its ally.
During an interview on the CBS news program “60 Minutes,” Harris emphasized that diplomatic efforts with Israel are an ongoing endeavor, as per a clip released on Sunday.
When asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was a “close ally,” Harris avoided a direct response. Instead, she highlighted the significant alliance between the American and Israeli people.
Furthermore, Harris reiterated Washington’s stance of supporting Israel’s right to self-defense against Iran and Iran-backed groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
“Our diplomatic work with Israel’s leadership is a continuous effort to uphold our principles,” Harris stated.
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“We will continue to exert pressure on Israel and other regional leaders,” Harris affirmed.
While Washington has occasionally criticized Israel for civilian casualties in the conflict, these condemnations have largely been verbal with no substantial policy changes.
Advocates argue that the U.S. has failed to pressure Israel by not imposing an arms embargo, a demand echoed by anti-war demonstrators both domestically and internationally.
President Joe Biden proposed a three-phase cease-fire plan for Gaza on May 31, but negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled due to disagreements over prisoner exchanges and Israel’s security demands along the Gaza-Egypt border.
The recent escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages.
Subsequent military actions by Israel have led to significant Palestinian casualties, while a separate campaign in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah has caused further devastation.
