“The United States is not telling Israel what to do,” Vice President Kamala Harris said, as debate over Washington’s position on the Gaza war intensifies.
Speaking in an interview with CBS on Sunday, Harris emphasized that the United States only provides advice, equipment and diplomatic support to Israel. American troops will not be sent to Israel or Gaza, she added.
U.S. policy regarding the conflict has received increased attention after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country’s war against Hamas had entered its “second phase.”
“A terrorist organization, Hamas, massacred hundreds of young people at a concert…Israel undoubtedly has the right to defend itself,” Harris told CBS reporter Bill Whitaker.
“That being said, it is very important that there is no confusion between Hamas and the Palestinians. Palestinians deserve equal measures of safety and security, self-determination and dignity, and we have been very clear that the rules of war must be respected and humanitarian aid flow,” he said. she declared.
Asked whether the war could draw U.S. troops into combat, Harris responded: “We have absolutely no intention and we have no plans to send combat troops to Israel or Gaza, period.” final. »
Tit for tat
Harris also noted that while the United States wants to ensure the conflict does not escalate, it has not been easy.
His comments come after the United States struck facilities in Syria linked to Iran last week, following a series of attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the strikes in Syria were not linked to the war between Israel and Hamas, despite claims that the tit-for-tat attacks were due to Washington’s stance on the war between Israel and Gaza.
US President Joe Biden also told reporters that Washington’s response had “nothing to do” with Israel.
Yet Harris also pointed out to Whitaker that President Biden had warned Iran not to create a broader conflict.
Diplomatic dissent
Vice President Harris’ comments are consistent with the White House’s position. But in the diplomatic corridors of Washington, signs of friction are appearing.
Democrats seeking a ceasefire are frustrated with Biden’s unwavering support for Israel amid a blockade and bombing of Gaza.
American diplomats are reportedly preparing a “dissent cable.” The document, criticizing Washington’s policies, will be addressed to leaders of the State Department.
“There is essentially a mutiny brewing within the state at every level,” a State Department official told the Huffington Post.
Last week, State Department official Josh Paul resigned, citing the Biden administration’s stance on the war between Israel and Hamas as the reason.
“The Hamas attack on Israel was not only a monstrosity; it was a monstrosity among monstrosities… But I believe in the depths of my soul that the response Israel is taking, and with it American support for both that response and the status quo of occupation , will only lead to deeper and deeper suffering. for the Israeli and Palestinian people – and it is not in America’s long-term interest,” Paul wrote in a Linkedin post.
“Dehumanizing”
An unclassified diplomatic cable from October 24, reported by VICE News, reveals that the US Office of Palestinian Affairs in Jerusalem had warned the White House of the dire situation facing Palestinians in Gaza and called on Washington to act.
However, two days later, President Biden cast doubt on the Gaza death toll, saying he had “no confidence in the number the Palestinians are using.”
This helped spark further divisiveness over the U.S. humanitarian response.
Yara Asi, a Palestinian-American public health expert at the University of Central Florida, called the president’s remarks “appalling.”
“Disputing these numbers was really just putting both feet on Israel’s side on this issue in another way that dehumanizes Palestinians,” Asi told Al Jazeera.
US Senator Brian Schatz said he was “deeply concerned” following a near-total communications blackout on Friday.
“There is already a dire humanitarian situation, including dangerous proximity to military operations for civilians and insufficient quantities of food, water, medicine and fuel,” he said on X.
Response signs
There are signs that the Biden administration may begin to respond to criticism.
According to a Washington Post article, Washington pressured the Israeli government to restore communication channels.
On Sunday, the White House said Biden had called for “accelerating” humanitarian aid to Gaza in phone calls with Israeli and Egyptian leaders.
The US leader reiterated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: “Israel has every right to defend its citizens against terrorism and a responsibility to do so in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law that prioritizes the protection of civilians.” »
During his conversation with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Biden agreed to pledge “to work together” to protect civilian lives and to “ensure” that Palestinians in Gaza are not displaced to Egypt or to any other country, the White House said.
Humanitarian aid arrived in Gaza through the Egyptian-run Rafah crossing, the only crossing not controlled by Israel.
However, the UN and other agencies have warned that the current flow of aid to the 2.3 million people in Gaza is still only a “drop in the ocean”.