Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed support for Israel's military action against Hamas, but emphasized the importance of minimizing civilian casualties. Harris's comments come amid criticism over her lack of formal press conferences since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Vice President Kamala Harris has weighed in on Israel's military action against Hamas, expressing support for the country's right to defend itself while calling for the protection of civilians.
Harris's comments came during a brief media interaction with reporters accompanying her on a campaign swing in Michigan. She stated, "Israel has the right to go after the terrorists that are Hamas, but it needs to do so in a way that is mindful of the safety and well-being of civilians in Gaza."
Kamala Harris Defends Israel's Right to Strike Hamas, Calls for Protection of Civilians
Harris's position aligns with the U.S. government's official stance on the conflict. President Biden has also emphasized Israel's right to self-defense but has urged both sides to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation.
Despite her support for Israel's actions, Harris's comments have been met with criticism from some who believe they fail to adequately address the disproportionate impact of Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian civilians. According to the United Nations, over 200 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the latest round of violence, including over 60 children.
Kamala Harris Defends Israel's Right to Strike Hamas, Calls for Protection of Civilians
In addition to addressing the Middle East conflict, Harris also faced questions from reporters about her lack of formal press conferences since becoming the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Harris has not held a press conference or sit-down interview since July 21, when President Biden endorsed her as his running mate.
Critics have accused Harris of avoiding media scrutiny and failing to answer questions about her policy positions. Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance has urged the media to press Harris for interviews and question her more aggressively.
Kamala Harris Defends Israel's Right to Strike Hamas, Calls for Protection of Civilians
Harris's campaign has defended her lack of press conferences, arguing that she is focused on reaching voters through other means, such as paid media and campaign rallies. However, some political analysts believe that Harris's reluctance to engage with the media could backfire, particularly as she prepares to face Republican nominee Donald Trump in the general election.
Former President Trump has taken aim at Harris's lack of media availability, calling her "unintelligent" and incapable of handling press conferences. National Review senior writer Noah Rothman has also criticized Harris for her avoidance of press scrutiny, arguing that it undermines her credibility as a candidate for the presidency.
Kamala Harris Defends Israel's Right to Strike Hamas, Calls for Protection of Civilians
Experts believe that Harris will eventually need to give a formal press conference to demonstrate her ability to answer questions and handle tough scrutiny. However, it remains to be seen when and how she will choose to engage with the media in that capacity.
