Democratic presidential nominee and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on stage at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix Awards dinner at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, U.S., September 14, 2024. REUTERS/Bonnie Cash/File Photo

Kamala Harris Calls for Ceasefire and Focus on Domestic Issues in Philadelphia Interview

Call for End to Israel-Gaza Conflict

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris urged for an end to the ongoing Israel-Gaza war during an interview on Tuesday in Philadelphia with the National Association of Black Journalists. Harris, the current Vice President, advocated for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants and reiterated her support for a two-state solution. She emphasized the need for regional stability that does not empower Iran, highlighting that a long-term solution must avoid Israel’s reoccupation of Gaza after the conflict.

“We’ve made ourselves very clear this deal needs to get done in the best interest of everyone in the region,” Harris stated in response to questions. Her comments come in the context of a nearly year-old war that has claimed over 41,000 lives in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry. The conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages, per Israeli reports.

Addressing Misinformation and Immigration Issues

Harris also responded to questions about recent social media rumors targeting Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Right-wing agitators falsely claimed that newly arrived Haitians were eating household pets, fueling divisive narratives. Former President Donald Trump, Harris’ Republican opponent in the 2024 election, seized on these claims and vowed to deport Haitian immigrants from Springfield if re-elected, despite the majority being legal residents.

“This is exhausting, harmful, and hateful,” Harris said, denouncing the false narratives and the rhetoric surrounding immigration issues.

Economic Plans: Housing and Childcare

Shifting focus to domestic policy, Harris addressed concerns about the U.S. economy, particularly the shortage of affordable housing. She expressed plans to collaborate with private investors to increase housing supply, acknowledging that more needs to be done to reduce costs for Americans.

“One of the big issues that affects people right now is the lack of housing supply. It’s too expensive,” Harris remarked. Additionally, she reiterated her commitment to expanding the child tax credit to $6,000 and promised that families would not pay more than 7% of their income on childcare.

Efforts to Secure Black Voter Support

Harris’ interview comes as she and Trump continue to court Black voters, a crucial demographic in key battleground states like Pennsylvania and Georgia. In the 2020 election, Black voters overwhelmingly supported Joe Biden, giving him a 92% to 8% advantage over Trump, according to Pew Research Center data. However, a recent NAACP survey showed some erosion in support, particularly among younger Black men, with over a quarter signaling they may back Trump in 2024.

“Black men are like any other voting group,” Harris commented. “You gotta earn their vote.”

Both Harris and Trump have focused their efforts on states with large Black populations, particularly Georgia, where Black voters make up a third of the electorate. Trump’s outreach to Black voters faces challenges due to his past remarks and Republican-backed voting restrictions, which critics argue disproportionately affect Black residents. Republicans deny any efforts to suppress votes.

Key Battleground States: Pennsylvania and Georgia

With Pennsylvania considered a pivotal battleground state, both candidates are making significant efforts to win over voters ahead of the November 5 election. Harris’ focus on economic relief and social justice aims to retain the Democratic Party’s traditional support among Black voters, while Trump seeks to make inroads despite his controversial history on racial issues.