In an attempt to paint Republicans as staunch supporters of Israel, and Democrats as the contrary, Donald Trump made strong allegations about Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential debate on September 10.
Trump claimed during the debate that Harris hates Israel, asserting that if she were to become president, Israel would cease to exist within two years. He also accused her of hating the Arab population, suggesting that her presidency would result in a catastrophic situation for the entire region.
In a heated discussion about Middle East policy, Trump voiced his criticism of Harris’ supposed refusal to meet with Netanyahu during his congressional speech, attributing her absence to a personal event. He used this point to reinforce his claim of Harris’ disdain for Israel.
Trump utilized the debate platform to differentiate his handling of Middle East affairs, particularly with regard to Iran, from that of the current administration. He proposed that had he remained in office, the Israel-Hamas conflict would not have escalated to its current state.
He attributed the “appeasement of Iran” to the Biden administration, claiming that their policies have empowered Hamas. Trump argued that under his administration, Iran lacked the funds to support Hamas or Hezbollah, but with the lifting of sanctions by the current administration, Iran now allegedly possesses $300 billion. However, the authenticity of this claim has been debunked by independent analysts.
During his term, Trump implemented strict sanctions on Iran as a part of his “maximum pressure” campaign. These restrictions, particularly on oil sales, were aimed at debilitating Iran’s economy. Trump maintained that these sanctions had severed Iran’s ability to finance groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
According to Trump, the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to roll back many of these sanctions allowed Iran access to significant resources. However, the $300 billion figure Trump cited has been met with skepticism from independent analysts. A report from The Jerusalem Post suggested that Iran’s economic recovery has been more modest than Trump’s insinuation, and the lifting of sanctions has been less extensive.
The Biden administration has indeed adopted a different stance towards Iran than Trump’s aggressive policies. The current administration intends to reinstate the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, or the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which Trump withdrew from in 2018. The JCPOA limits Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, negotiations to rejoin the deal have stalled, and sanctions relief has not been fully implemented.
Although Iran’s history of funding terrorist groups is well-known, the extent of this support under the Biden administration appears less dramatic than Trump has suggested. Iran’s economy, while improving, has not experienced such a surge in funds.
Harris strongly rebutted Trump’s allegations during the debate. She reaffirmed her support for Israel and its right to self-defense, particularly against threats from Iran and its allies. “I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself, in particular as it relates to Iran,” Harris responded during the debate.
She condemned Trump’s comments as divisive and false, reaffirming her lifelong commitment to Israel’s security and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In response to the violence stemming from the Israel-Hamas conflict, Harris stated, “We need to end this war, and that starts with securing the release of hostages.” Her emphasis on diplomacy sharply contrasted with Trump’s aggressive approach. She reiterated the significance of international collaboration to achieve peace in the region, advocating for a two-state solution to ensure dignity and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
The debate underscored the stark differences in foreign policy views between the two candidates, particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. While Trump’s approach was centered on severe actions against “terror-infested areas,” Harris proposed diplomatic solutions.
The debate elicited mixed reactions from political figures and analysts. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo supported Trump’s criticism, accusing the Biden-Harris administration of emboldening Iran through policies of appeasement. However, Harris’ comments were applauded by several Jewish organizations and political figures who praised her stance on Israel’s security and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Dr. Amnon Cavari, the head of the Institute for Liberty and Responsibility at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at Reichman University in Herzliya, Israel, criticized Trump’s remarks about Israel’s future under Harris. He described them as “irresponsible” and “a ridiculous thing to say by a presidential candidate.” According to Cavari, Trump’s comments were more about projecting strength in foreign policy rather than addressing the concerns of the Jewish population.
The debate underscored the different 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. Their views on the Israel-Hamas war have become central to their foreign policy platforms as the 2024 election draws near.
