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Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., revealed that Vice President Kamala Harris’s team is potentially open to a new approach regarding U.S. policy toward Israel. During his appearance on “Meet the Press,” Khanna expressed his advocacy for a policy shift, emphasizing the need for a revised strategy given the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Khanna highlighted several critical issues, including the ongoing hostage situation and the high death toll in Gaza. He argued that the current policy, which involves substantial U.S. aid to Israel, needs to be reassessed to address these pressing concerns. “We need a new direction of policy to bring the war to an end,” Khanna said, noting that the conflict has persisted for almost 11 months and resulted in significant loss of life.
A recent Washington Post report supports Khanna’s remarks, suggesting that Harris is considering a comprehensive review of the U.S.-Israel policy. The report indicates that the vice president may be open to imposing new conditions on aid to Israel, reflecting growing concerns about the effectiveness and morality of unconditional support.
The timing of this potential policy shift is notable, given the recent escalation in the Middle East. The war began on October 7 when Hamas launched attacks on Israel, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As of now, approximately 101 hostages, including four American citizens, remain in Gaza.
Presidents Biden and Harris will meet in the White House Situation Room with the U.S. hostage deal negotiating team in reaction to the continued conflict to discuss plans for securing the release of the remaining hostages. This closed-door discussion will also cover recent events, such as the killing of six hostages, which has escalated the situation even more.
The Biden administration has been active in responding to the crisis, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken announcing $404 million in new humanitarian aid to Palestinians, bringing the total aid to over $674 million since the conflict began. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian needs amid the broader geopolitical and security challenges.