Kamala Harris Criticizes Biden's Gaza Response as "Inadequate" in New Book
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly criticized former President Joe Biden's handling of the conflict in Gaza, labeling his response to civilian casualties as "inadequate." In her new book, 107 Days, Harris reveals she "pleaded" with Biden to show more empathy towards Palestinians.
Harris' Accusations of Unequal Empathy
According to an advance copy obtained by Axios, Harris wrote, "I had pleaded with Joe, when he spoke publicly on this issue, to extend the same empathy he showed to the suffering of Ukrainians to the suffering of innocent Gazan civilians." She further stated, "But he couldn’t do it: While he could passionately state, ‘I am a Zionist,’ his remarks about innocent Palestinians came off as inadequate and forced." This suggests a perceived disparity in Biden's empathy towards different groups of civilians affected by conflict.
Balancing Support for Israel with Concerns for Palestinian Civilians
While acknowledging Israel's "right" to respond to the October 7th attack by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the taking of roughly 250 hostages, Harris also expressed concern over the consequences of Israel's military actions. "But the ferocity of Netanyahu’s response, the number of innocent Palestinian women and children killed, and his failure to prioritize the lives of the hostages had weakened Israel’s moral position internationally and created angry dissent within Israel itself," she wrote.
Reaction to Pro-Palestinian Protests and DNC Criticism
Harris also addressed the protests that disrupted her rallies during her 2024 White House bid. "The threat to withhold their vote got to me. It felt reckless," she admitted. "The issue was not binary, but the outcome of this election certainly was." She also noted the criticism the Democratic National Convention received for not including a Palestinian speaker.
Impact on the Democratic Party and Arab-American Voters
Harris's criticisms come at a sensitive time, as the war in Gaza approaches its two-year mark. According to a recent poll, the Democratic Party's handling of the conflict has alienated some voters, with a noticeable shift in support among Arab-American voters towards the Republican Party and former President Donald Trump. She publicly praised the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
