United States Vice President Kamala Harris is said to be encouraging tougher action by the U.S. against Israel. This move comes amidst the rise of anti-Israel protests occurring nationwide, notably in major cities like New York and Los Angeles. Instances of anti-Semitism are rampant, with menorahs being vandalized during Hanukkah, draped with Palestinian flags.
In addition to the nationwide protests, college campuses are also hosting anti-Israel protests and some have escalated to violence. In response to these occurrences, Vice President Harris is said to be urging President Biden to be stricter with Israel and demonstrate greater concern for Palestinians residing in areas like the Gaza Strip.
This claim, however, has been refuted by officials who insist there is no difference in opinion between the President and the Vice President regarding Israel's cause to eradicate Hamas. They assert that if Harris were not advising the President, it would be more newsworthy.
Simultaneously, there are also reports about the National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, advising Israel to conclude their intense campaign in Gaza within weeks not months. However, it has been clarified that these reports are inaccurate. Sullivan did not allocate a timeline to these discussions. The U.S.'s involvement in the matter has been limited to asking questions and providing advice.
It is suggested that a lower intensity phase is expected for the future, with the focus shifted towards targeting leadership and executing intelligence driven operations to continue dealing with the threat posed by Hamas.
The administration's approach has, however, been met with criticism. There is confusion regarding the ongoing situation, and Republicans notably criticized the proposed timeline being dictated via the media as 'pinball diplomacy.' Furthermore, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley expressed concerns about wavering alliances, indicating that current decisions could influence whether our enemies fear us or not.
Reflecting on this, the President expressed his desire for Israel to prioritize the preservation of civilian lives without necessarily ceasing their pursuit of Hamas. His remarks suggesting Israel could be losing international support over what was termed as 'indiscriminate bombing' in Gaza, received mixed reactions, igniting further debate on the U.S.'s stance on Israel's actions.
