Kamala Harris Faces Scrutiny Over Support for Palestinians Amid Gaza Conflict

Vice President Kamala Harris has asserted that she will "not be silent" regarding the suffering of Palestinians as the conflict in Gaza continues, yet her statements have prompted questions about their impact on U.S. foreign policy.

Following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, Harris highlighted the dire conditions faced by Palestinians in Gaza. However, she reaffirmed her commitment to supporting Israel, a stance that has drawn criticism from Palestinian rights advocates.

Activists argue that Harris's expressions of empathy for Palestinians will be insufficient unless they lead to a tangible shift in U.S. policy, which has historically been characterized by unconditional military and diplomatic support for Israel. Sociologist Eman Abdelhadi from the University of Chicago criticized the administration's approach, emphasizing that empathy alone is not enough when the U.S. continues to provide support that enables ongoing violence. 

“Without a real commitment to halting the killing of Gaza’s children, expressions of sympathy are meaningless,” Abdelhadi remarked, stressing the U.S. responsibility for the ongoing violence against Palestinians.

Despite some media reports suggesting a departure from President Joe Biden’s rhetoric, Harris did not propose any new policy measures during her recent statement. She reiterated her "unwavering commitment" to ensuring Israel's ability to defend itself while acknowledging the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza without directly assigning blame.

Harris stated, "I also expressed to the prime minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians," referring to the conflict as "devastating." She called for attention to the suffering of displaced people and pledged to support Biden’s multi-phased ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the war and securing the release of Israeli captives in Gaza. 

Activists remain skeptical of Harris's comments. Hazami Barmada, an Arab American activist, noted that public statements of empathy do not address the need for substantial policy changes. “We need to move past mere empathy to meaningful action,” Barmada asserted, criticizing the ongoing approval of arms sales to Israel despite visible humanitarian crises.

The vice president’s remarks come as Biden’s endorsement of Harris for the Democratic nomination looms, following his withdrawal from the presidential race. With no significant opposition, Harris is poised to inherit the nomination, although many Democratic voters have expressed dissatisfaction with Biden's Gaza policy, opting for the “uncommitted” option in primaries.

Former Biden administration appointee Tariq Habash welcomed Harris's change in tone but called for concrete actions to address the violence. “It’s still early, so we don’t know exactly what her plan will be, but based on her statements, there hasn’t been a substantive shift from the current administration’s stance,” Habash told Al Jazeera.

Harris’s history includes a pro-Israel record from her time in the Senate, including co-sponsoring a measure against a U.N. resolution condemning Israeli settlements and addressing AIPAC despite growing opposition from left-wing politicians.

As U.S.-supplied bombs continue to fall on Gaza and the humanitarian situation worsens, U.S. medical professionals working in the region have appealed to Harris and other officials, detailing the severe conditions and need for immediate intervention.

In response to recent protests against Netanyahu in Washington, Harris condemned acts of violence and hate but was criticized for not acknowledging the protesters' concerns about U.S. tax dollars funding policies perceived as violations of international law. 

The situation remains complex as Harris's supporters and critics await further clarity on her policy intentions. While some activists are open to supporting Harris if she shifts U.S. policy, others remain unconvinced, stressing the need for substantive change rather than rhetorical gestures.