Vice President Kamala Harris faced backlash for her response to Hamas's execution of an American hostage in Gaza.
According to Daily Mail Online, critics argue that Harris's reaction to the murder of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American citizen, demonstrates her lack of readiness for presidential duties.
Goldberg-Polin, a 23-year-old California native living in Jerusalem, was among six hostages executed by Hamas in Gaza over the weekend. He had been captured during the October 7 attack on the Nova music festival in southern Israel. The incident has put Harris's foreign policy capabilities under scrutiny, with many viewing it as her first significant test in this arena.
Following the news of Goldberg-Polin's execution, Harris posted a tweet that many found lacking in substance and resolve. Her message echoed President Biden's statement that Hamas leaders would face consequences for their actions and called for a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Harris tweeted:
As [President Biden] said, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes... It is long past time for a ceasefire and hostage deal. We need to bring the hostages home and end the suffering in Gaza.
Critics argue that this response offers no new solutions or strategies to address the ongoing crisis, instead relying on what they see as empty rhetoric and obvious statements.
Harris's handling of the Gaza situation has been a point of contention for some time. In March, she reportedly threatened "consequences" for Israel if it entered the southern Gaza city of Rafah in an attempt to rescue hostages. This stance was seen by some as undermining Israel's efforts to combat Hamas and secure the release of captives.
Further adding to the controversy, Harris refused to preside over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the US Congress in late July, one of her responsibilities as vice president. After a private meeting with Netanyahu, she reportedly warned him that she would not remain silent about the humanitarian situation facing Palestinians.
The Biden administration's approach to the Gaza conflict has come under scrutiny, with critics arguing that more pressure should be placed on Hamas rather than on Israel. The White House is reportedly preparing to present a "take it or leave it" ceasefire deal to both Israel and Hamas.
When asked if Netanyahu had done enough to secure a deal with Hamas for the release of captives, President Biden responded with a simple "no" without elaborating further. This response has left some questions about the administration's strategy in dealing with the ongoing hostage situation.
The criticism of Harris's response to the hostage execution comes at a time when the Biden administration is working to bolster her image as a key player in foreign policy decisions. Photos of Harris in the Situation Room and her inclusion in reports of Biden's calls with foreign leaders are seen as attempts to address concerns about her limited international experience.
Harris's previous roles overseeing the US-Mexico border situation and advising on the withdrawal from Afghanistan have been cited as examples of her struggles with complex international issues. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and her response to it is now being added to the list of foreign policy challenges that critics argue she has failed to handle effectively.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris's response to the execution of an American hostage by Hamas has been met with significant criticism. Her tweet calling for a ceasefire and hostage deal was deemed inadequate by many observers. Past actions regarding Israel and her limited foreign policy experience have further fueled doubts about her readiness for potential presidential duties. The Biden administration's overall approach to the Gaza conflict, including its pressure on Israel and perceived lack of criticism towards Hamas, has also come under scrutiny.
