(TSN): While Pres. Joe Biden gave the world assurance that the United State's bond with Israel is strong, Vice President Harris expressed solidarity with the war-torn nation in the homeland
during a White House Rose Garden event honoring Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday.
As the second in charge, the leadership posture of the vice president while the president was engaged in a dangerous foray into the red alert zone of Israel amid a war is crucial. Anything could happen while he was away acting as an intermediary, and she would be expected to act at a moment's notice if Biden could not.
She began her remarks addressing the terror attacks carried out by Hamas and proceeded to acknowledge the reverberation of the aftershock in America. The tone of her words was pointed and measured, conveying the desire to de-escalate the war.
In the following excerpt Harris speaks about U.S. humanitarian aid to crisis-afflicted Palestinians., the chaos throughout the region, and the support for the various groups impacted by the crisis here in America:
"I do want to say a word about the conflict that has ensued as a result of the brutal Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. What we are witnessing in the region today is devastating. It has also deeply affected so many in our country, in Israel, in Gaza, and around the world.
As you know, President Joe Biden was in Israel today and is now on his way home. Today, he continued the critical work to stand with the people of Israel, to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself, to prevent escalation throughout the region, to get American hostages out so they can return to their families, and urgently address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to aid innocent civilians who are suffering.
The Biden-Harris administration is doing everything we can to get food and water and medicine to civilians in need. Just today, President Biden announced $100 million in assistance to the Palestinian people and an agreement to get humanitarian supplies in Gaza.
. . .I, like so many of you, am deeply grateful for the leadership of President Joe Biden. Throughout, he has, as he always does, demonstrated strength, compassion, and moral clarity. And that is exactly what our country and our world needs in this moment.
As we have constantly made clear, our support for Israel's security is unwavering, and Israel has a right to defend itself from Hamas terrorists. And let us be clear: Terrorism is never justified. And as I said yesterday, Israelis and Palestinians must have equal measures of security and prosperity.
And I support the right of the Palestinian people to dignity, freedom, and self-determination. (Applause.) Hamas does not represent these aspirations.
And I will emphasize, the Biden-Harris administration stands with the Jewish, Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities in our country, all of whom deserve safety and security. And we will continue to work forcefully to protect our fellow countrymen and women and people and do exactly what we know is important at this moment in terms of standing with people and fighting for unity and dignity for all people. "