WASHINGTON: Kamala Harris, the US vice president and Democratic presidential nominee, addressed the country’s relationship with Israel during an interview set to air in full on Monday. She reiterated that Washington will continue to pressure Israel and other players in the Middle East to reach a ceasefire deal in Gaza even as advocates say that the United States has not thus far used its leverage over its ally.
In an interview with CBS news show “60 Minutes,” Harris was asked about the US’s influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially considering the billions in military aid Washington provides to Tel Aviv and the pressure to agree to a ceasefire.
Harris during the interview, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on southern Israel, emphasised that the US military aid “allowed Israel to defend itself” against the recent Iranian ballistic missile attack, which was “just meant to attack the Israelis and the people of Israel.” She further stated, “When we think about the threat that Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran presents, I think that it is, without any question, our imperative to do what we can to allow Israel to defend itself against those kinds of attacks.”
She also noted the US’s ongoing diplomatic efforts, mentioning “the need for humanitarian aid, the need for this war to end, the need for a deal to be done which would release the hostages and create a ceasefire.” Harris affirmed, “We’re not going to stop in terms of putting that pressure on Israel and in the region, including Arab leaders.”
“Now the work that we do diplomatically with the leadership of Israel is an ongoing pursuit around making clear our principles,” Harris said.
When asked if the US has a “real close ally” in Netanyahu, Harris replied, “With all due respect, the better question is, do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? The answer to that question is yes.”
Agencies

Agencies