How Harris and Trump responded to Israel’s attack on Iran – The Forward

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, October 26, 2024. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images/DREW ANGERER/AFP via Getty Images

TO Jacob Kornbluh
October 27, 2024

Israeli strikes on military targets in Iran on Friday night, an operation closely coordinated with the Biden administration, received rare bipartisan support from the United States. Both presidential candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, have endorsed the strike as a critical step for regional stability and security.

“The attack on Iran was precise and powerful, achieving all its objectives,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, thanking the United States “for its close coordination and assistance.”

The White House and Harris’ campaign expressed relief that Israel did not strike critical infrastructure, possibly preventing Iranian retaliation and reducing the risk of regional war less than two weeks before the presidential election.

President Joe Biden told reporters Saturday he hopes the Israeli strikes will mark “end» escalation in the Middle East.

Here’s what Trump, Harris and Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential nominee, had to say about Israel’s actions against Iran:

Trump’s response

As the strikes took place on Friday evening, Trump, speaking at a campaign rally in Michigan, criticized Harris for appearing at the same time as Beyonce at an event in Texas. “Israel is attacking. We have a war going on, and she’s walking,” Trump said.

On Saturday, Trump joined the stage at another rally in Michigan with a group of imams who supported him. “Muslim and Arab voters in Michigan across the country want an end to endless wars and a return to peace in the Middle East, as was the case under President Donald Trump. Have you ever heard of him? Trump said, referring to himself in the third person.

Trump did not directly address the strike in political terms, but he nonetheless expressed his full support for the Israeli government’s decisions to defend itself against Iran and its proxies. Washington Post reported that in a recent phone call with Netanyahu, Trump said, “Do what you have to do.” Earlier this month Trump advised Israel “Nuke first and worry about the rest later” in response to Iran’s second ballistic missile attack on Israel.

Harris’s answer

IN interview With CBS Evening News Hosted by Norah O’Donnell, Harris said “it would be a mistake” for Tehran to respond to Israel’s retaliatory strike. “We are ready to defend Israel, as we did before. We’ll do it again,” Harris said. “But the critical point is that there must be de-escalation in the region. And we are working through diplomatic channels and other channels to ensure de-escalation in the region.”

Commenting on Trump’s conversation with Netanyahu, Harris said Sunday.“It is very important that we, the United States of America, actively participate in encouraging, first, an end to this war and the release of the hostages; but also that there is a real commitment among countries to a two-station solution.”

Vance’s response

A staunch supporter As part of Trump’s “America First” agenda, Senator J.D. Vance, the Republican vice presidential candidate, opposes interventionist policies. But on Sunday, Vance said he supports the position of American troops in the region to protect the national interests of the United States and its allies from adversaries.

“I think it’s smart to support Israel as it deals with this very unprovoked attack from Iran,” Vance said in an interview. on CBS News” Facing the nation. “I don’t think we should be withdrawing assets from the Middle East at a time when our most important ally in the region is under serious attack. I don’t think this will send the right message. And most importantly, it’s not just Israel, it’s us too. We have important interests in the Middle East.”

Vance also suggested that the Biden administration has “empowered” Iran by easing sanctions and releasing frozen assets intended for humanitarian purposes. “The reason Iran has all these weapons to shoot at Israel is because it has a lot of money,” he said. “That big mistake was giving Iran the financial ability to afford the large quantities of weapons that they are now firing not only at the Israelis, but at us as well.”