Harris may shift US stance on Gaza war if elected president: Report

ISTANBUL

US Vice President Kamala Harris, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, is expected to continue much of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy if she succeeds him, but her stance on the Israeli war on Gaza may differ, NBC News reported Monday.

Harris has shown a willingness to publicly criticize Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed empathy for Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, according to former officials and analysts.

This marks a shift from Biden's approach and could appeal to Arab American voters, younger voters, and progressives who oppose Biden’s stance on the Israeli actions, the report said.

“Because she’s not seen as responsible for Biden’s Israel policies,” according to a source close to the Biden administration. “The hope is that will help her numbers,” it added.

In March, White House officials softened Harris’ speech advocating for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, though the original draft was more critical of Israel.

However, Harris’ ties to the Jewish community remain strong. Her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, is the first Jewish spouse of a vice president, and actively engages with the Jewish community and combats anti-Semitism, the report noted.

Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that while a Harris presidency might alter the tone regarding Israel, it is unlikely to bring about substantial policy changes, it said.

“I would look for a much more balanced rhetorical posture,” Miller said, according to the report. “She clearly is going to be much more sympathetic when it comes to the issue of Palestinian statehood and even Palestinian rights.”

However, Miller emphasized that Harris remains an advocate of America's traditional support for Israel and is unlikely to deviate dramatically from that stance, it noted.

“When it comes to Israel, she has very moderate views,” Miller also said. “To the left of what Biden is prepared to do but way to the right of those who argue we need to impose costs and consequences on Israel to make it clear we’re the superpower and they’re not.”