The Israel-Hamas Conflict
What happens after the war is over?
Issue #436 OpEd Monday, December 11, 2023
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris came into office in January 2021 under extreme circumstances: exactly two weeks after an insurrection meant to destroy our government, amid the worst global pandemic in over a century, high unemployment, and an economy that was failing in many areas.
About one year later, Russia invaded Ukraine, and about eighteen months later, Hamas attacked Israel.
During the 2 1/2 years of the administration, the pandemic has ended (although COVID is still here), inflation has dropped precipitously, unemployment is at its lowest in decades, the West Coast supply chain problems have ended, tens of millions of jobs have been created, more than any other president in decades, and many other initiatives that help regular Americans have begun and are on target to be completed within the next few years.
Of all of the crises going on right now, the situation in Gaza is one of the most pressing. President Biden and Vice President Harris have been very clear: Israel has the right to defend itself, but the people of Gaza, who cannot be conflated with Hamas, also have the right to be protected.
For better or worse, Israel is a longtime ally of the United States and is also the only democracy in the Middle East. It is incumbent upon President Biden to keep the lines of communication open with the leaders of Israel to achieve the desired dual outcomes of eliminating Hamas and protecting innocent Palestinians.
A little over a week ago, Vice President Harris met with several leaders from various Middle Eastern countries to discuss the developments in Gaza and to escalate the planning for after the war.
During her meeting with Middle Eastern leaders, the Vice President outlined three overall areas of focus:
1. Reconstruction: it is incumbent upon the international community to dedicate significant resources to support the short- and long-term recovery in Gaza.
1. Security: strengthening the Palestinian Authority Security Forces to assume security responsibilities in Gaza.
1. Governance: the will of the Palestinian people, not Hamas, must be respected for the revitalization of the Palestinian Authority, to allow innocent Palestinians to benefit from the rule of law and a transparent and responsive government.
The Biden-Harris Administration supports an equal two-state solution as the path to durable peace in the region. Israel must be secure, and at the same time, Palestinians need and deserve economic opportunity and freedom.
This situation is extremely complicated, including the long history of the region, and simply calling for a cease-fire is not as easy as some would like to think. Keep in mind that only Israel can enact a cease-fire, and this has to be done in such a way as to make sure Hamas will no longer be viable while ensuring - and prioritizing - the safety of innocent Palestinians.
Joe Biden is not responsible for what happened on October 7, nor is he able to institute a ceasefire.
The Biden-Harris Administration is deftly walking a difficult line to support both the safety of Israel and the safety of innocent Palestinians.
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