Harris calls for Gaza ceasefire, sticks to Israel's arming policy | News
8/30/2024–|Last update: 8/30/202406:54 AM (Makkah Time)
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris said a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of prisoners were essential, and defended her ideas on energy, immigration and Israel.
In an interview with CNN, broadcast early Friday, Harris reiterated her support for what she described as Israel's right to defend itself, and answered “no” to a question about whether she would suspend US arms deliveries to Tel Aviv if she won the US presidential election. She did not indicate any change in President Joe Biden's policy on arming Israel.
In her first interview as the Democratic nominee for the White House, the Democratic candidate addressed the Hamas attack on October 7, denouncing the violence, and also addressed Israel's war in Gaza, saying “many innocent Palestinians have been killed.”
Presidential elections
On the US presidential election, Harris stressed that the United States is “ready to turn the page” on Donald Trump, accusing the former Republican president of “dividing our nation.” She said, “Unfortunately, over the last decade, we had… someone who was really pushing an agenda and an environment that was about diminishing our character and strength as Americans, and dividing our nation. And I think people are ready to turn the page.”
The Democratic candidate said that “it would be good for the American people if there was a Republican secretary in (her administration)” if she won the presidential election.
On immigration – one of Trump's favorite topics – Harris, 59, said there should be “consequences” for people who enter the United States illegally.
The vice president stressed that her “values have not changed.” She insisted that she “has always believed that climate change is real, that it is an urgent problem,” and that the United States must meet “targets” regarding greenhouse gas emissions.
Republican accusations
In contrast, Republicans accuse the vice president of being fickle in her views, as Trump said via his social network Truth Social, “I am very much looking forward to debating Comrade Kamala and showing her how dishonest she is. Harris has changed her position on every issue.”
The 78-year-old billionaire has intensified his personal attacks on Harris since he began his election campaign, after Democratic President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race on July 21.
Trump accused Harris of being “blackened” for electoral reasons. When asked about this, Harris, who has a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, declined to elaborate, saying it was “the same old story,” adding, “Next question please.”
Harris conducted this interview 10 weeks before the election scheduled for November 5.
Harris has previously given very brief interviews to journalists since announcing her candidacy instead of Biden, who dropped out of the race after his disastrous performance during a debate between him and Trump at the end of June.
But Harris was not prepared to give a formal interview, and so she was under increasing pressure to give an actual interview to a major American media outlet.
As for Trump, he has had many opportunities to answer questions posed by journalists or other interviewers during interviews or sessions, the most recent of which was the one he conducted with the CEO of X, Elon Musk, who is sympathetic to the Republican candidate.
On August 13, Trump held a session with his supporter Musk, which was characterized by a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
Trump also held two press conferences that same month, during which he gave long speeches and answered questions that were mostly lenient.
Harris' CNN interview will be followed by a debate with Trump scheduled for September 10 on ABC.
The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, released Thursday, showed Harris with 45 percent support compared to 41 percent for Trump, sparking renewed enthusiasm among voters ahead of the November election.