Vice President Kamala Harris said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week” that nothing can be ruled out if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presses ahead with a military operation in Rafah.
A partial transcription follows:
RACHEL SCOTT: Leader Schumer was very outspoken on the Senate floor, calling Prime Minister Netanyahu an obstacle to peace. He is calling for new elections in Israel. The president called it a good speech. What did he mean? Does the regime think new elections are needed in Israel?
HARRIS: Well, I’m not going to speak for Sen. Schumer. But it is clear that it is the Israeli people who will make the decisions about when to hold elections and, of course, who to elect to lead the government. That’s what they say.
Scott: Do you think Netanyahu is an obstacle to peace?
HARRIS: We believe that we must continue to enforce what we know are and should be priorities regarding what is happening in Gaza. We all know that too many innocent Palestinians are being killed. We are clear that Israel, Israelis, and Palestinians are entitled to equal security and dignity. And frankly, we’ve also been very focused on rescuing hostages and seeking relief.
Scott: Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to be completely ignoring President Biden’s warnings about the attack in Rafah. Is that a red line for your administration to cross?
Harris: We’ve made it clear in multiple conversations and on every point that a large-scale military operation in Rafah would be a big mistake. I’m telling you, I’ve looked at the map and there’s nowhere for those people to go. And the approximately 1.5 million people in Rafah that we’re looking at are people who are there because they’re told to go there. Most of them are. Therefore, we are clear that it is wrong to enter Rafah with any kind of military operation.
Scott: Wrong, but if he moves forward, will there be consequences?
Harris: Well, we’re going to take it one step at a time, but our perspective on whether we should do it or not was very clear.
Scott: Do you rule out any influence from the United States?
Harris: I’m not ruling anything out.
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