Kamala Harris gets a chance to perk up the Democratic base over Israel's war on the people of Gaza

Interesting public appearance by the suspected AI simulation of a bland corporate HR spokesperson better known as Vice President Kamala Harris:

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris bluntly called out Israel on Sunday for not doing enough to ease a "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza as the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to rein in its close ally while it wages war with Hamas militants.

Harris, speaking in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where state troopers beat U.S. civil rights marchers nearly six decades ago, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urged Hamas to accept a deal to release hostages in return for a 6-week cessation of hostilities. ...

"People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act," Harris said at an event to commemorate the 59th anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" in Alabama. "The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses," Harris said. (1) [my emphasis]

At least the White House did Harris the favor of letting her take a public position that the Democratic base voters actually support. She called explicitly for a ceasefire without licking an ice cream cone while she was doing it. (2)

On the substance of the issue, we are too far into the “talk is cheap” experience on Israel’s war on Gaza civilians - now in its fifth month with no end in sight - to be much encouraged by aspirational pronouncements.

“No excuses” is the right message for the US to send to Israel. But the only way the wretched government headed by Bibi Netanyahu is going to take it seriously is when the Biden Administration cuts off military aid to Israel until they cease their war crimes. The way things stand right now, Netanyahu doesn’t need excuses. Nothing he’s done so far has convinced the US to cut off military aid. And Netanyahu is obviously more than happy to cause political problems for Biden. Trump would be at least as deferential to Israeli policies as Biden. Plus, Netanyahu presumably assumes Trump would be willing to take bribes.

The same caution applies to other diplomatic moves in process, like the action that in diplomatic terms is considered cheeky of inviting Benny Gantz, a rival to Netanyahu and a member of his war cabinet, to meet with Kamala Harris in Washington. (Also a boost to her, it seems.)

Gantz's visit comes amid strained relations between Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden and the hard line in Israel being led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich with regard to Ramadan and increasing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. ...

Israeli officials said that Gantz's meeting with Harris was expected to focus on the importance of reaching an agreement to free the hostages in exchange for a temporary cease-fire. Harris will stress that Israel has the right to defend itself from Hamas and will discuss post-war plans for rebuilding Gaza under the management of the Palestinian Authority.

Harris is also expected to raise the issue of the large number of Palestinian casualties since the outbreak of the war – which according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza, has reached 30,000 – and the need to step up deliveries of humanitarian aid. "The vice president will express concern for the safety of the 1.5 million Palestinians in Rafah," said one official. (3) [my emphasis]

But it’s hard to see how we’ll get any meaningful change in Israel’s war policy unless the US cuts off military aid.

Michael Moore spoke to MSNBC about the “Uncommitted” protest vote in the Michigan primary, making the case that it was an effective way to signal Biden that he needs to listen to his own partisan voters and change his indefensible blanket support for Netanyahu’s war. (4)



He also gives a good description of how strategic voting works. The Majority Report’s Emma Vigeland referred to herself recently as a “harm-reduction” voter. I like that concept!

Notes:

(1) Mason, Jeff (2024): Kamala Harris calls out Israel over 'catastrophe' in Gaza. Reuters 03/04/2024. <https://www.reuters.com/world/us-vp-harris-urges-israeli-government-do-more-boost-aid-into-gaza-2024-03-03/> (Accessed: 2024-04-03).

(2) Ryan, Brad (2024): Joe Biden's awkward ice cream moment has only put the US president under more pressure. Australian Broadcasting Company 03/01/2024. <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-01/biden-under-pressure-after-awkward-icecream-moment/103532822> (Accessed: 2024-04-03).

(3) Lis, Jonathan (2024): Israeli Source: 'Enraged' Netanyahu Trying to Undermine Gantz' U.S. Visit. Haaretz 05/04/2024. <https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-03-04/ty-article/.premium/israeli-source-enraged-netanyahu-trying-to-undermine-gantz-u-s-visit/0000018e-08a9-d822-a9ce-7dbfdcbb0000>  (Accessed: 2024-04-03).

(4) Filmmaker Michael Moore says Michigan's 'Uncommitted' campaign can save Biden from himself. MSNBC YouTube channel 03/03/2024. <https://youtu.be/qSb3srONXnI?si=DlldAbrMrhnDyGTf> (Accessed: 2024-04-03).