The Crew Gazette

Visual: Yasmine Elsayed

American Vice President Kamala Harris’ speech on July 25th was one to remember. I came across that speech when Marvel’s own Mark Ruffalo posted it on his Instagram, saying, “What a breath of fresh air to hear some humanity, compassion, and thoughtfulness brought into this conversation. Thank you, Kamala Harris.”

** Side note: you should watch the speech linked above before you continue reading this article.

Though I wish I had known more about how people felt, Mark Ruffalo, however, shut off the comment section in his post. Now, I have to go on a hunt and reach out to my American friends to see what they think about Kamala Harris. Until then, let’s go to our favorite video-viewing website, YouTube! Get your head out of the gutter. Moving on, people seem to dislike Harris’ speech, or, more accurately, they wondered why she’s been MIA for 3.5 years, and only now is she making her presence known. So let’s talk about it.

Of course, how everyone views this speech is in the eye of the beholder; however, some key points cannot be overlooked, such as Harris’ statement at the beginning of said speech, “From when I was a young girl collecting funds to plant trees for Israel to my time in the United States Senate and now at the White House, I’ve had an unwavering commitment to the existence of the state of Israel, to its security, and to the people of Israel.” This was the setting tone for the rest of the speech. Constantly affirming on and on the United States’ support for Israel. 

Thank you, Kamala; we know how much the US devotes itself to Israel. Question is, is Israel devoted to this marriage as much as you are? I wonder.

Jokes aside, this is serious. Harris saying that “Israel has a right to defend itself, and how it does so matters.” When you say that Israel has the right to defend itself, I will indulge you and discuss this. For one country to claim self-defense, in this case, Israel, it has to have been attacked by another sovereign entity. Meaning that Country B has to have directly attacked Israel for it to claim self-defense. BUT, this isn’t the case. Hamas is NOT a sovereign entity. Canadian Lawyer Dania Majid, in an interview with The Breach, explains that “Article 51 of the UN Charter does speak to the right of self-defense, and it has outlined that an attack that would trigger self-defense must be committed by another member state and cannot have originated from a territory that is under belligerent occupation by the state that is claiming self-defense.” Article 51 does not explicitly mention non-state actors.

After making sure that we all know that the US stands with Israel, Kamala finally gets to the most crucial part: Gaza. I have to give it to her ghostwriter; he knows how to write fiction. Kamala says that she “will not be silent” about what’s going on in Gaza. Stay consistent, please. A few breaths ago, she said that what has been happening in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating—kinda sus. 

So, Kamala shares that a deal is on the table. I find that intriguing because, if we are recalling the deal, as she says, how long has it been on the table? Speaking of nine months, 

Hamas agreed to a ceasefire proposal two months ago, but Israel rejected it. It’s supposed to be three phases; allow me to mention them quickly. Each phase will extend over 42 days.

Phase 1: “Indirect negotiations through mediators would resume on the exchange of captives and prisoners. A withdrawal of some Israeli troops from certain areas would also take place along with the unhindered return of displaced families to their homes and the flow of aid and fuel into Gaza.” 

Phase 2: “There would be a complete and permanent halt to military activity in Gaza.” 

Phase 3: “Focus on beginning reconstruction in post-war Gaza, overseen by Egypt, Qatar, and United Nations agencies.” 

In the United States version, though, it’s so simple that it won’t even feel like a ceasefire, like getting stabbed in the neck. You can barely feel it. “The first phase of the deal would bring about a full ceasefire, including a withdrawal of the Israeli military from population centers in Gaza. In the second phase, the Israeli military would withdraw from Gaza entirely, and it would lead to a permanent end to the hostilities.” Apparently, there’s hope riding on this deal. I don’t know, but it seems like the US and Israel are making decisions on their own—sort of like when the US created a Jewish state in Palestine without Palestine agreeing in 1948. Mais je m’éloigne du sujet.

A two-state solution is achievable, but only if Palestine and the Palestinians agree to get the crappy end of the deal. “I remain committed to a path forward that can lead to a two-state solution. And I know right now it is hard to conceive,” She says as she laughs. Vice President Harris, will this negotiation be discussed with Ismael Haniyeh?

I will close with this: it is important for the world to remember that the war in Gaza is not a binary issue. However, too often, the conversation is binary when the reality is anything but. If this was binary, then both parties have to be of equal power to be considered a war. It is time that we call the issue in Palestine what it is—genocide. We can no longer avoid this anymore. Even after we vetoed the ceasefire thrice in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), we still firmly believe that once the three-phase deal is accepted, a two-state solution is the only path that ensures Palestinians can finally have the freedom, security, and prosperity that they more than rightly deserve. Let us all condemn terrorism and violence. Let us all do what we can to prevent the suffering of innocent civilians.

I thank you.

“Different clown, same circus.”

This is a political satire piece written purely for the purpose of bringing some things to attention. This does not reflect all the views of those who write for The Crew Gazette.