Kamala Harris Turns on Biden Over Gaza War as She Accuses Trump of Giving Netanyahu a ‘Blank Check’

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris has criticised the Biden administration’s handling of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, arguing that Washington failed to act decisively enough to uphold international law.

Speaking at the 2026 Asan Memorial Lecture in Seoul on Wednesday, Harris said the administration should have used American influence over the Israeli government more forcefully to address its conduct during the conflict.

She described the failure to use that leverage as a serious shortcoming, arguing that the United States should have intervened “sooner and more fully”.

Her remarks placed renewed scrutiny on the previous administration’s approach to the war and its efforts to balance support for Israel with concerns about the humanitarian and legal consequences of the conflict.

Former Vice President Accuses Trump of Giving Netanyahu a ‘Blank Check’

Harris also turned her criticism towards the current administration under President Donald Trump, accusing it of offering Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “blank check”.

The comment reflected her broader argument that US policy towards Israel should include meaningful accountability rather than unrestricted support.

Her criticism of both administrations highlighted disagreements over how Washington should exercise its influence in the Middle East, particularly when questions of international law and military conduct are involved.

Harris Says Traditional US Foreign Policy Needs to Change

Beyond the Gaza conflict, Harris argued that longstanding assumptions about American power were no longer sufficient to address the challenges facing the United States.

She explained that military strength had traditionally dominated calculations of international influence, particularly in the period following the two world wars and during the Cold War.

However, she said economic innovation, access to markets and control over strategically important resources and technologies now play an increasingly significant role in global affairs.

Harris pointed to minerals, semiconductors and computers as examples of areas shaping international competition, suggesting that American foreign policy must adapt to these changing realities.

China, Russia, Iran and North Korea Raise Alliance Concerns

Harris also called for stronger US relationships with its allies, citing the growing ties among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea as a development requiring close attention.

She argued that these relationships should reinforce the need for greater cooperation among Washington and its partners, including a continued commitment to deterrence.

Her comments suggested that strengthening alliances and coordinating responses to emerging security challenges should remain central to American foreign policy.

The former vice president’s remarks came amid wider debates over how the United States should respond to shifting geopolitical relationships and maintain its influence in an increasingly competitive international environment.

Harris Focuses on 2026 Midterms Amid Questions About 2028

Harris expressed confidence that Democrats would win the upcoming US midterm elections, placing the 2026 contest ahead of speculation about her own political future.

When asked about the possibility of another presidential campaign in 2028, she avoided giving a direct answer.

Instead, she stressed the importance of the immediate electoral challenge, saying: “2028, from my perspective, doesn’t matter if we don’t win 2026.”

Her response left questions about her longer-term political ambitions unresolved while making clear that she considers the midterm elections a priority for Democrats.

Gaza Policy Remains a Point of Disagreement in Washington

Harris’s speech brought together criticism of the Biden administration’s response to the Gaza war, opposition to Trump’s approach towards Netanyahu and a broader call to reconsider how American power is exercised internationally.

Her remarks also underscored the continuing debate within US politics over support for Israel, adherence to international law and the role of American influence in conflicts abroad.

By linking these questions to economic competition and the need for stronger alliances, Harris presented foreign policy as a challenge extending beyond military decisions to include technology, trade and international cooperation.