WASHINGTON — Before Vice President Kamala Harris made sharp remarks Sunday about the need for an immediate six-week cease-fire between Israel and Hamas as part of a hostage release agreement, National Security Council officials warned that her speech Some parts were toned down. Current U.S. officials and former U.S. officials familiar with the speech told NBC News.
One source said Harris' draft speech was sent to the National Security Council for consideration when she ultimately spoke about the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the need for more aid. It is said that the message was harsher towards Israel than the original statement. Current and former employees.
Two U.S. officials said the original draft specifically addressed the need for Israel to immediately allow additional aid trucks into the country. One of them said Harris' initial language was strong but not controversial.
Harris' move to soften her remarks comes as the White House has become more aggressive in criticizing Israel in public as President Joe Biden seeks to maintain some influence over the Israeli government and secure a hostage deal. This shows that there is still a lot of reluctance.
Current officials say the change is tonal rather than a shift in policy, and that Harris's widely reported comments about the ceasefire were a direct contrast to Biden's comments two days earlier and the administration's response to the war. He said that he reiterated his position.
Asked about reports that her Sunday speech was watered down and less aggressive, Kirsten Allen, Harris' communications director, said: “That's inaccurate.”
Allen also provided a separate statement to NBC News explaining his position on Harris' comments.
“In light of recent developments, the Vice President felt it was important to address the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and reiterate his administration's call for Hamas to accept the terms of the hostage deal.” said.
As is the practice of most White House officials giving speeches on foreign policy, Harris' speech was submitted to the National Security Council and West Wing staff members for review, and a number of changes were made, administration officials said. This was stated by several people involved, including two people. Harris' office. Officials said the edits were made at the last minute, as is often the case in real-world diplomatic matters.
Administration officials disputed the idea that Harris' speech was watered down, saying key words and core messages remained intact.
The National Security Council did not respond to requests for comment.
Harris' comments about the Middle East came at the beginning of a speech given by civil rights activists, including the late Democratic Rep. John Lewis, on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, to mark the 59th anniversary of Bloody Sunday. It was done. In Georgia, he was beaten by law enforcement officers for demanding racial justice.
Harris emphasized, among other things, the need for Israel to allow aid to Gaza to help with what she called “a clear humanitarian catastrophe.”
He noted that last week the Pentagon conducted the first airdrop of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and said the United States would continue to provide such assistance. He also said that “the Israeli government needs to do more to significantly increase aid flows.”
“They have to open new borders for aid,” Harris said. “Unnecessary restrictions must not be imposed on the delivery of aid. They must ensure that humanitarian workers, sites and convoys are not targeted. And they must ensure that more food, water and fuel are available. We must work to restore basic services to those in need and promote order in Gaza.”
But her comments about the ceasefire attracted the most attention.
“And given the immensity of the suffering in Gaza, we need an immediate ceasefire of at least six weeks, as currently on the table,” Harris said, to thunderous applause. Happened. “This will result in the rescue of hostages and significant aid. This will help ensure the security of Israel and respect the rights of Palestinians to dignity, freedom and self-determination on a more permanent basis.” It will be possible to build.”
Even as Harris reiterated the Biden administration's policy positions in recent weeks, her powerful words went viral, with thousands of people posting her comments online and many commentating. The media wrote articles about it. It was a remarkable moment for Harris, who has long been criticized for not having enough name recognition to be vice president.
Many activists and religious leaders have called on Biden to seek a permanent ceasefire, but so far the administration has not responded.
Even though it became clear that Harris was not saying anything new, her words continued to garner attention. Those close to her believe her words resonated both because of what she said and because of the words she uttered to commemorate the anniversary of a significant chapter in the civil rights movement. . Some said her message was particularly effective, highlighting what civilians in Gaza are facing.
“She did what she does best, which is take a policy issue and break it down in a way that people can understand, and then use her own passion and her voice to understand what's right,” said Democrat Leah Daughtry. It's about approaching it in her own way.” She is a political strategist with close ties to Harris' office and co-founder of Black Churches PAC, an organization of clergy and black church leaders that has called for a permanent ceasefire. She said: “It's all coming together and we're still talking about it.”
Harris' office official said she decided to talk about Gaza in her speech in Selma after Biden said on Friday that his administration supported an immediate six-week ceasefire as part of the hostage deal.
“We are trying to finalize an agreement between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said from the Oval Office. “The hostages will be returned and there will be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for at least the next six weeks. And it will allow for a surge of aid not only to the south but to the entire Gaza Strip.”
On Monday, Harris' team emphasized that there is no disagreement between her and Biden. After Harris spoke at a firefighters union meeting at a Washington hotel, reporters were taken into the hallway where she was exiting and were close enough to ask about her reaction to her remarks.
“The president and I have been aligned and consistent from the beginning,” Harris told reporters. “Israel has the right to defend itself. Too many Palestinian civilians, innocent civilians, were killed.”
A senior Biden administration official echoed similar sentiments on Monday.
“She's on the same page as the president,” the source said.
Still, the public took note of Harris.
Democratic strategist Christopher Huntley, who served as Harris' speechwriter last year, said he thought her speech resonated because of the way she spoke and the tone of her speech.
“There was a clear choice to use the words 'immediate ceasefire,'” he said. “This issue resonated so much because it was very clear language, it was direct, and it particularly resonated with young people, black and brown people, and young voters who are really outraged by this issue. .”
“It was also fitting that it happened in Selma, at the foot of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where the fight for justice, equality, civil rights and human rights defined a generation,” he added. Where she mentioned this issue was very meaningful to people. ”
Even before Harris called for a six-week cease-fire, critics of her handling of the war, both inside and outside the Biden administration, said she was trying to take a tougher stance on fighting in the Gaza Strip. , I saw it as impossible. Democrats who helped elect Biden in 2020 told NBC News.
The person said Harris wanted to be seen as a more empathetic voice in reaching out to Muslims and Arab Americans, as well as other Democrats, who are reeling from the deteriorating situation after months of shelling. He says he has put in a lot of effort.
“Her hands are tied,” the person said. “People don't attack her because they know this is not her policy. This is Biden's war. This is Biden's failure.”
“I think she called for a ceasefire a long time ago,” the source added.
