President Biden's handling of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has drawn increasing criticism, with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris facing pressure to take a tougher stance against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. As negotiations for a hostage deal drag on, questions arise about whether the United States could use its influence to halt weapons shipments to Israel to force a policy change.
President Biden's efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and Hamas have faced significant challenges, with the war continuing for nearly a year and no resolution in sight. Amidst growing criticism of Biden's handling of the situation, his Democratic challenger, Kamala Harris, has come under intense scrutiny for her own stance on Israel and the conflict.
Biden's Israel Policy Under Scrutiny Amid Hostage Crisis and Criticism
Progressives have pressured Harris to take a more assertive approach towards Netanyahu, arguing that a stronger stance is needed to end the war and secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Harris has insisted on her commitment to Israel's defense, but has declined to provide specific answers on whether she would consider using the United States' leverage, such as halting weapons shipments, to influence Israel's actions.
In a recent interview with CNN, Harris faced questions about whether she would deviate from Biden's approach towards Israel. While reiterating her unequivocal support for Israel's defense, she emphasized the need for a peace deal to end the war and unlock further progress. However, she did not specify whether she would consider changes to arms shipments under her leadership.
Biden's Israel Policy Under Scrutiny Amid Hostage Crisis and Criticism
The Harris campaign has remained silent on the issue of halting weapons shipments, leaving it unclear whether such a move would be on or off the table if Harris were to ascend to the presidency. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has suspended some arms exports to Israel due to concerns about their potential use in violation of international law.
Back in Israel, Netanyahu faces mounting pressure following the discovery of six dead Israeli hostages in a Hamas tunnel. Protests have erupted demanding a hostage deal, with the parents of one of the deceased hostages, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, making an emotional plea at the Democratic National Convention.
Biden's Israel Policy Under Scrutiny Amid Hostage Crisis and Criticism
President Biden has expressed optimism about the prospects for a hostage deal, stating that progress is being made and "we're very close" to securing an agreement. However, negotiations have been dragging on for months, and the fate of the hostages remains uncertain.
As the war rages on and the hostage crisis lingers, pressure continues to mount on both Biden and Harris to find a solution that ends the conflict and secures the release of the captives. The outcome of the negotiations and Harris's future stance on Israel will be closely watched by both allies and adversaries as she seeks to balance her support for Israel with the demands of her progressive base.
