The Republican party has long sought to present itself as the primary advocate for Israel, suggesting that Democrats are less supportive.
During the initial 2024 presidential debate on September 10, Donald Trump made assertive accusations concerning Vice President Kamala Harris’ position on Israel. He alleged that she harbored animosity towards Israel, asserting that Israel’s existence would be in jeopardy within two years if she became president. Additionally, he claimed that her policies would lead to broader regional instability, threatening both Arab and Jewish populations.
Trump’s comments emerged during an intense discussion on Middle East policy. He argued that Harris displayed her disdain towards Israel by refusing to meet with Netanyahu when he visited Congress, attributing her absence to a personal commitment.
Trump seized the opportunity to highlight his approach to Middle East challenges, particularly concerning Iran. He suggested that the conflict between Israel and Hamas would not have occurred had he remained president.
The former president also criticized the Biden administration for what he termed the “pacification of Iran,” arguing that their policies had empowered Hamas. “Under my administration, Iran had no funds for Hamas or Hezbollah. Now, due to the removal of my sanctions, Iran has $300 billion,” he asserted.
Trump’s criticism hinges on the premise that the Biden administration’s decision to relax sanctions on Iran provided the country with billions of dollars, which was then redirected towards terrorist groups. During his presidency, stringent sanctions were placed on Iran as part of his “maximum pressure” campaign, designed to severely impact Iran’s economy, especially its oil sales. According to Trump’s debate arguments, these sanctions had effectively severed Iran’s financial support to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Trump contended that the Biden administration rolled back many of these sanctions upon taking office, providing Iran with considerable funds. However, the exaggerated $300 billion figure cited by Trump is not universally accepted, and independent analysts have cast doubt on the veracity of this claim. A report from The Jerusalem Post suggested that Iran’s economic recovery has not reached the level implied by Trump, and the sanctions’ relief has been more restrained than he suggested.
While the Biden administration has indeed adopted a different stance towards Iran compared to Trump’s more antagonistic policies, this does not fully support Trump’s claims. Biden has aimed to reinstate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump abandoned in 2018. Negotiations to rejoin the deal have stalled, and sanctions relief has not been fully enacted.
Harris swiftly denied Trump’s allegations during the debate. She reiterated her support for Israel and its right to self-defense, especially against threats from Iran and its proxies. “I will always ensure that Israel has the ability to defend itself, particularly against Iran,” Harris stated during the debate.
Harris also denounced Trump’s comments, branding them as divisive and untruthful. She underlined her lifelong dedication to Israel’s safety and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Harris addressed the violence resulting from the Israel-Hamas conflict during the debate. “We must end this war, and that begins by securing the release of hostages,” Harris stated. Her focus on diplomacy starkly contrasted with Trump’s more confrontational stance as she reiterated the importance of the U.S. collaborating with international partners to ensure regional peace. She emphasized the ultimate necessity of a two-state solution, aiming to secure peace and dignity for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The debate underscored the significant differences in their foreign policy perspectives, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Trump’s approach focused on stringent actions against “terror-infested areas,” while Harris advocated for diplomatic solutions.
Both candidates received mixed reactions from political figures and analysts following the debate. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo echoed Trump’s criticism, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of empowering Iran through appeasement policies. “This administration’s approach to Iran has led to war, terrorism, and put Americans at risk,” Pompeo stated in support of Trump’s stance.
Conversely, Harris’ remarks were met with approval from several Jewish organizations and political figures who commended her position on Israel’s security and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The Democratic Majority for Israel voiced its support, stating, “Kamala Harris has consistently supported Israel. She made that very clear tonight, and we are proud to stand by her.”
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) wrote during the debate, “I appreciate her commitment to ensuring Israel has the tools to defend itself.” Supporters of Harris also commended her for advocating a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict while affirming Israel’s right to protect its citizens.
Dr. Amnon Cavari, who leads the American Public Opinion Toward Israel Research Group and heads the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel, criticized Trump’s comments about Israel’s future under Harris. He labeled them “irresponsible” and “a ridiculous assertion by a presidential candidate.”
Dr. Cavari suggests that Trump’s comments are not aimed at the Jewish population, but rather are an attempt to project a strong foreign policy, an area in which Trump is not particularly strong. According to Cavari, the broader message Trump is sending is that “if Harris is elected, the world is going to collapse,” with Israel serving as a key example.
Cavari pointed out that unlike Biden, Trump never discussed forming alliances or coalitions, which have been instrumental in protecting Israel. Instead, Trump maintained the assertion that no one would challenge the U.S. once he’s back in office.
Contrasting this with the Biden-Harris position, Cavari emphasized that the U.S., along with other nations, stands united in supporting Israel. He commended Harris for her strong stance on Israel expressed at the start of the debate.
Cavari also noted that Trump didn’t offer concrete plans to prevent future conflicts, and even some of his Israeli supporters weren’t completely won over. Israelis, Cavari stressed, want to hear solutions, not apocalyptic rhetoric.
Cavari added that Republicans have long attempted to position themselves as the party that supports Israel, but with limited success. Trump is pushing this narrative hard, turning Israel into a polarizing issue. However, Cavari cautioned that making Israel a focus of U.S. elections is harmful, as Israel benefits from bipartisan support, something it should continue to strive for.
The debate clearly delineated the contrasting foreign policies that both candidates would pursue if elected. While Trump emphasized military action and sanctions, Harris focused on diplomacy and long-term solutions to conflicts in the Middle East. As the 2024 election draws closer, both candidates’ positions on the Israel-Hamas war have taken center stage in their foreign policy platforms.
