One Year Since Hamas Surprise Attack... Divergent Reactions
Harris Criticizes Hamas, Calls for Ceasefire
Trump: "If It Were Me, Gaza War Wouldn't Have Happened"
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump showed differing reactions on the 7th (local time), marking one year since the outbreak of the Gaza Strip war, regarding the Middle East situation. Vice President Harris criticized Hamas for the surprise attack and called for a ceasefire, while former President Trump criticized the Biden administration's diplomatic capabilities.
Vice President Harris issued a statement saying, "What Hamas did that day was brutal, disgusting, and pure evil," and urged, "We must ensure that the horrific events of October 7 never happen again."
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris (right) is planting a tree at the residence on the 7th (local time). [Image source=Getty Images Yonhap News]
She pledged, "We will do our utmost to eliminate the threat of Hamas, prevent Hamas from ever ruling Gaza again, fail in their goal to annihilate Israel, and help the people of Gaza escape Hamas's grip." She also reaffirmed Israel's right to self-defense and stated that she would fight for the dignity, freedom, security, and right to self-determination of the Palestinian people.
Regarding future responses, she urged a ceasefire, saying, "It is long overdue to reach a hostage (exchange) and ceasefire agreement to end the suffering of innocent people."
Additionally, on the same day, she held a memorial event for the victims of Hamas terrorism by planting a pomegranate tree in the garden of the Vice President's residence in Washington, D.C., together with her Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff. At the memorial, Vice President Harris condemned Hamas's terrorism as "pure evil" and said efforts must be made to ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself and to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza.
On the 7th (local time), former U.S. President Donald Trump paying respects at the grave of Jewish Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson in New York [Photo by AP Yonhap News]
Former President Trump criticized the Biden administration and Vice President Harris, saying that if he had been president, Hamas's terrorist attack one year ago "would never have happened."
In an interview with the conservative radio show Hugh Hewitt on the same day, when asked if President Biden and Vice President Harris were obstructing Israel's victory, Trump said, "Yes. Everything they do is the exact opposite of what should be done," adding, "He (Biden) has the worst foreign policy. She (Harris) is even dumber than him."
He also emphasized that Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons, saying, "(If I were president) they would never have gotten them (nuclear weapons)."
Explaining his policy toward Iran, he pointed out, "They were completely broken by U.S. sanctions and ready to negotiate, but these people (the Biden administration) did nothing." He also praised himself, saying, "There has never been a president better for Israel and the Jewish people."
When asked if he would support Israel if it attacked Iran's nuclear facilities, he replied, "Israel has the right (to attack) because Iran attacked Israel with 187 missiles."
On the same day, Trump's presidential campaign issued a statement saying, "The brutal acts, including the massacre and abduction of innocent Israelis and Americans on October 7, would never have happened if former President Trump had been in the White House." It also stated, "Former President Trump must be re-elected for the sake of both Americans and Israelis. Only then can the bloodshed caused by the Iranian terrorist regime, which has grown stronger, richer, and bolder due to the incompetence and weak policies of the Harris-Biden administration, be ended."
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