Kamala Harris and Donald Trump clashed over the Israel-Gaza war during a much-anticipated 90-minute debate on ABC News on Tuesday night.
Democratic nominee Harris said the war in Gaza must end with all hostages held in captivity freed while Republican candidate Trump claimed the vice president hated Israel and would swiftly end the war if elected president in November.
The debate began with a ‘handshake’ but Harris and Trump clashed on the economy, immigration and abortion rights. Throughout a tetchy TV special both candidates provoked the other on a night of memorable exchanges.
Trump offered no evidence when he claimed Haitian immigrants in Ohio ate their pets and challenged Harris over policy changes. Harris attacked Trump’s rallies, claiming people left through boredom, and his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Regarding the Middle East, Harris was asked how she would break through the stalemate to get a hostage deal.
Recalling Hamas’ terror attack on Israel 11 months ago she told millions of viewers on television: “Let’s understand how we got here. On October 7, Hamas, a terrorist organisation, slaughtered 1,200 Israelis, many of whom were simply attending a concert, women were horribly raped, so absolutely, I said then, I say now, Israel has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it (Israel) does so matters, because it is also true, that far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed… What we know is that this war must end. It must end immediately and the way it will end is we need a ceasefire deal and we need the hostages out.”
Harris explained that mediators continue to strive for a breakthrough after months of deadlock.
“We will continue to work around the clock,” she said. “(We will also) work around the clock understanding that we must chart a course for a two-state solution, and in that solution, there must be security for the Israeli people and Israel, and in equal measure for the Palestinians. But one thing I will assure you, I always give Israel (support to) defend itself, in particular as it relates to Iran.”
Trump did not hold back in his repost when he told viewers that Harris “hates” Israel and should she become president, Israel would not exist within two years.
He noted: “She wouldn’t even meet with (Prime Minister) Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech. She refused to be there because she was at a sorority party.
“She hates Israel. If she’s president, I believe that Israel would not exist within two years from now. I’ve been pretty good at predictions and I hope I’m wrong about that one. She hates Israel. At the same time in her own way, she hates the Arab population, because the whole place is going to get blown up, Arabs, Jewish people. Israel will be gone.”
Trump claimed the war would not have happened if was president.
He confidently observed: “Iran was broke under Donald Trump. Now Iran has $300 billion because they took off all the sanctions that I had. Iran had no money for Hamas or Hezbollah or any of the 28 spheres of terror, horrible terror, they had no money. There was a big story and you know it, you covered it, very well actually. They had no money for terror. They were broke. Now they are a rich nation, and now, what they are doing, is spreading the money around. Look at what is happening with the Houthis and Yemen, look at what’s going on in the Middle East. This would never have happened. I will get that settled and fast, and I will get the war with Ukraine and Russia ended if I’m president-elect even before becoming president.”
Snap polls and most political commentators felt Harris edged the debate.
Trump claimed victory on Truth Social while Fox News called for more debates. A CNN poll found Harris the winner. She also received an endorsement from Taylor Swift on Instagram.
Harris’ campaign team challenged Trump to another debate before November. Trump responded that Harris wanted a debate because she got beaten “so bad”.
Polling is too close to call. Political shenanigans are guaranteed in the weeks ahead to election day.
