Vice President Kamala Harris is set to appear on a “60 Minutes” election special on Sunday, where she carefully navigates questions about the United States’ relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a preview of the interview, when asked by correspondent Bill Whitaker if Netanyahu was a “real close ally,” Harris sidesteps a direct answer. Instead, the Democratic presidential nominee reframes the question, stating, “I think the better question is: Do we have an important alliance between the American people and Israeli people? And the answer is yes.”
The Vice President’s appearance on the long-running news program is part of a broader election special featuring key players in the upcoming presidential race. Notably absent from the lineup is former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, who reportedly backed out after previously indicating he would participate.
US Vice President Kamala Harris and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive for a meeting in the Vice President’s ceremonial office at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2024.
AFP/Getty Images
During the interview, Harris is expected to discuss the ongoing war in the Middle East, which started after Hamas launched a surprise terror attack one year ago. The Vice President will also address topics such as the economy, immigration, her record as vice president, and the differences between herself and Trump.
This careful phrasing comes at a critical juncture for U.S.-Israel relations, as the Biden administration has stood firmly with Israel since the October 7 Hamas attack, the deadliest on the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
However, Harris’ rhetoric on Israel has come under increasing scrutiny since she replaced President Joe Biden at the top of the Democratic ticket this summer.
At the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago in August, Harris’ show of support for Palestinian statehood received one of her biggest applauses at the convention.
However, during her speech, the vice president affirmed her commitment to Israel’s security while also addressing the human cost of the conflict. “And let me be clear, I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself,” she stated. “Because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on October 7.”
Harris also addressed the ongoing war in Gaza, describing the loss of lives as “devastating” and characterizing the “scale of suffering” as “heartbreaking.” She emphasized the administration’s efforts to end the conflict, stating, “President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination.”
The Vice President’s position on the conflict has drawn attention from various political groups. On October 4, Abbas Alawieh, co-founder of the Uncommitted National Movement, posted this message on X, formerly Twitter:
“We’re hearing @VP will be meeting w/ Arab+Muslim groups supportive of her campaign. @uncommittedmvmt, though not invited, is glad our pressure is helping yield more engagement. What we need right now is for the @VP to specifically say that as president she will respect international humanitarian and U.S. law and stop sending the Israeli military weapons for war crimes. And we reiterate our longstanding request: meet with Palestinian & Lebanese American families whose loved ones have been killed using U.S. bombs this admin is sending Netanyahu.”
The organization describes itself as “Fighting for a Democratic Party that represents the anti-war, pro-Palestinian majority.”
The Biden administration has been actively pushing for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that would allow for the release of all hostages, a position that is gaining popularity within Israel itself. Recent protests in Israeli cities have criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu and the government’s failure to secure a hostage release deal, highlighting the growing domestic pressure on the Israeli leadership.
Newsweek contacted a Biden spokesperson and Harris’ campaign via email on Sunday for comment.
The issue of hostages has become particularly poignant following the recent death of 23-year-old Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin. His parents, American-born immigrants to Israel, had become some of the most visible family members of hostages globally, meeting with both President Biden and Pope Francis. The parents even addressed the DNC, receiving prolonged applause and cries of “bring him home.”
In a statement, Trump blamed Biden and Harris for the hostage deaths, accusing them of weak leadership and prioritizing political opponents over American lives. “Make no mistake – This happened because Comrade Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe Biden are poor Leaders,” Trump declared, adding, “They have blood on their hands!”
The “60 Minutes” election special will air on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
