Vice President Kamala Harris made a significant diplomatic trip to the Middle East over the weekend, both to engage in wartime diplomacy and to demonstrate that the administration is taking a tougher stance on Israel’s civilian casualties in its war against Hamas. The purpose of her visit was to send a message to regional leaders as Israel enters a new phase of the eight-week-long war, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Additionally, Harris aimed to address disaffected voters in the United States, particularly young voters and people of color who played a crucial role in President Biden’s election victory.
During the U.N. climate summit in Dubai, Harris held four high-stakes meetings or calls with kings and presidents in just three hours. She delivered a pointed message on the war, both privately and publicly, which established guidelines for Israel’s conduct during the conflict and its actions once the fighting ceases. Harris emphasized that the United States will not tolerate the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, the siege of Gaza, or any changes to Gaza’s borders. Her remarks echoed those of Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, who have also stressed the importance of protecting civilians in Gaza.
By delivering this admonition in a very public manner, Harris became the chosen messenger for the administration. Although she shares a similar stance with President Biden, her forceful language aimed to match the Arab world’s desire for guiding principles in conducting the war and approaching its aftermath. Moreover, her message regarding the protection of Palestinians and Gaza’s borders targeted Israeli leaders as well.
Harris’s trip provided her with an opportunity to seize the international spotlight, which had not been achieved despite her previous overseas visits. While President Biden prides himself on his extensive global engagements, Harris has started to build her own relationships with leaders in the region. She has held three conversations with President Isaac Herzog of Israel, three meetings with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and she first met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates in May 2022. During her discussions with these leaders, Harris intentionally used forceful language to address the concerns of various stakeholders.
Officials from the administration revealed that Harris’s remarks were also intended to reassure Americans who share similar views and have criticized President Biden for not holding Israel accountable for protecting civilians in Gaza. The health ministry in Gaza reported that Israeli strikes have resulted in the deaths of over 15,500 people since October 7, with Hamas initiating a surprise attack on Israel. Israel officials claim that approximately 1,200 people were killed in the attack.
In recent weeks, Harris has been actively engaging with younger voters by visiting college campuses across the country. During these visits, she has discussed various topics, including abortion rights, student loans, the economy, and the Israel-Hamas war. Her language has become increasingly direct, reflecting the growing number of civilian casualties and the prolonged duration of the conflict.
Although Harris was primarily in Dubai as the U.S. representative for the U.N. climate summit, she focused her attention on the Middle East conflict during her one day at the conference. While delivering official remarks on climate change, she missed most of the other climate-related events to prioritize her meetings with regional leaders. Her actions demonstrated her commitment to addressing the war in the Middle East.