Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during a presidential debate hosted by ABC with Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., Sept. 10, 2024. REUTERS/Brian Snyder
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL – Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, repeatedly and aggressively went on the attack against former President Donald J. Trump during their debate in Philadelphia, moderated by two anchors from ABC News.
The two clashed on the economy, illegal immigration, abortion, and other domestic policy issues, but also about Israel, Iran, and a range of foreign policy and national security issues.
Three times, Trump told the moderators that Harris “hates Israel” and argued that her lack of experience and bad policies threaten the very existence of the Jewish state.
“That’s absolutely not true,” Harris shot back.
“I have for my entire career and life supported Israel and the Israeli people.”
“He knows that,” she insisted. “He’s trying to, again, divide and distract from the reality which is that it is very well known that Donald Trump is weak and wrong on national security and foreign policy.”
“It is well known that he admires dictators and wants to be a dictator on Day One, according to himself,” Harris argued.
“ISRAEL HAS A RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF, BUT…..”
One exchange certain to catch the attention of pro-Israel Jews, Evangelical Christians, and others was when Harris repeatedly insisted that she supports Israel’s right of self-defense but not unconditionally.
“Israel has a right to defend itself, but it matters how,” Harris said.
“Let’s understand how we got here,” she noted at point.
“On October 7, Hamas – a terrorist organization – slaughtered 1,200 Israelis, many of them young people who were simply attending a concert where women were horribly raped [by the terrorists].”
“And so, absolutely, Israel has a right to defend itself,” she said.
But the VP immediately added that “how it does so matters, because it is also true that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, children, mothers.”
“What we know is that this war must end, it must end immediately, and the way it will end is we need a ceasefire deal, and we need the hostages out,” Harris said.
“So, we will continue to work around the clock on that.”
HARRIS VOWS TO PUSH FOR A “TWO-STATE SOLUTION”
“We must chart a course for a two-state solution,” Harris insisted.
“The one thing I will assure you always: I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself, in particular as it relates to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies pose to Israel,” Harris insisted.
“But we must have a two-state solution, where we can rebuild Gaza, where the Palestinians have security, self-determination and the dignity they so rightly deserve.”
She did not explain her vision for the “Day After” the Gaza war ends, or how she would handle the corruption in the Palestinian Authority, or how a two-state solution would work when 89% of Palestinians believe that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas should resign immediately.
“WORLD LEADERS ARE LAUGHING AT DONALD TRUMP”
Harris made numerous personal attacks against the former president.
It was a strategy that appeared designed to get under his skin, and appeared to work at several points during the 90-minute slugfest.
“I’m going to tell you that I have traveled the world as Vice President of the United States, and world leaders are laughing at Donald Trump,” Harris said.
“I have talked with military leaders, some of whom work with you, and they say you’re a disgrace.”
“If Donald Trump were president, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv right now,” Harris insisted.
“And understand what that would mean, because Putin’s agenda is not just about Ukraine. Understand why the European allies and our NATO allies are so thankful that you are no longer president, and that we understand the importance of the greatest military alliance the world has ever known, which is NATO, and what we have done to preserve the ability of Zelensky and the Ukrainians to fight for their independence.”
“Otherwise, Putin would be sitting in Kyiv with his eyes on the rest of Europe, starting with Poland. And why don’t you tell the 800,000 Polish-Americans right here in Pennsylvania how quickly you would give up for the sake of favor and what you think is a friendship with what is known to be a dictator who would eat you for lunch?”
