The first U.S. presidential debate between candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris took place yesterday, Tuesday, September 10. It featured a heated exchange on a wide range of issues. The discussion focused on sensitive topics including the economy, immigration, abortion rights, and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
The debate, held in Philadelphia and moderated by ABC (American Broadcasting Company), was rife with mutual accusations. While both Trump and Harris sought to articulate their visions for the future of the United States, the discussion quickly escalated into a heated exchange of criticisms, revealing deep-rooted differences in their policies and approaches.
One key area of agreement between the candidates was their unwavering support for Israel, a stance that came amid the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip since October 7. Both candidates aimed to demonstrate stronger backing for Israel, using the debate to advance various allegations related to the war on Gaza and Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. This article will highlight the most prominent misleading statements made by the candidates regarding the current Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.
Kamala Harris Promotes Rape Allegations in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
When asked about the war on the Gaza Strip and the Israeli prisoners held by Hamas, Kamala Harris repeated allegations related to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023. She referred to allegations that the Qassam Brigades’ fighters committed acts of rape while simultaneously reaffirming that “Israel has a right to defend itself.”
These claims are part of a broader effort to demonize Palestinian resistance factions by equating them with terrorist organizations, aiming to increase pressure on them and justify the massacres committed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip. This narrative serves to mislead public opinion and distort the public's understanding of the events. Despite the lack of evidence to substantiate these allegations so far, Israeli and American entities continue to promote them.
In this context, Misbar has previously refuted many claims related to rape and sexual assault. Investigations have also found no evidence to support these allegations. However, these claims continue to be published to justify the crimes committed in Gaza during the ongoing war.
Several testimonies from Israeli female prisoners released by Hamas indicated that they were treated humanely and were not subjected to any form of assault. In a previous report, Misbar gathered these accounts, with the latest being from prisoner Noa Argamani, who unequivocally stated that she had not experienced any sexual or physical abuse. Argamani also pointed out that the Israeli media had distorted her statements and taken them out of context. She clarified that her injury was caused by an Israeli airstrike near the area where she was held in Gaza, not from any direct attack by Hamas.
Documented Sexual Violations Against Palestinian Women in Gaza
On the contrary, numerous reports from human rights organizations reveal that Palestinian women and girls in Gaza have been subjected to arbitrary executions, sexual assaults, and degrading and inhumane practices. These include being deprived of sanitary pads, food, and medicine, as well as enduring severe beatings and being held in cages exposed to rain and cold without access to food.
International and human rights reports also highlight that Palestinian women face various forms of sexual assault. For instance, a report from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in February noted that detained Palestinian women and girls underwent humiliating searches by male Israeli officers, with some being threatened with rape and sexual violence. The report revealed that at least two female detainees were raped.
Reem Al-Salem, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, has also reported an increase in cases of rape committed by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian women, especially during the war on Gaza last March.
Many media outlets have documented testimonies from Palestinian women describing the severe violations they endured at the hands of Israeli occupation soldiers during the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.
Rape Practices in Israeli Prisons
Many reports and testimonies indicate that Palestinian male prisoners from the Gaza Strip have also been subjected to sexual assault and rape by Israeli prison guards during the ongoing war.
One of the most prominent testimonies came from prisoner journalist Muhammad Arab, who reported to lawyer Khaled Muhajna that he was transferred from Sde Teiman prison to Ofer military camp. Arab provided detailed accounts of the torture and rape endured by one of the prisoners.
He explained that the methods of rape used in prisons are extremely brutal and unimaginable, intensifying the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners.
Journalist Muhammad Arab, who works with Al Araby TV channel covering the war on Gaza, was arrested from Al-Shifa Hospital last March. According to his testimony, a 27-year-old Palestinian man was raped after being forced to lie on his stomach, attacked by police dogs, and then raped with a fire extinguisher.
Lawyer Muhajna, quoting Arab, added that some prisoners in Ofer were sexually harassed after being stripped of their clothes and were also beaten in sensitive areas. These detainees are currently suffering from severe health and psychological distress as a result of these violations.
Trump Accuses Harris of Not Supporting Israel
During the debate, amid the competition to show support for Israel, Donald Trump accused Kamala Harris of not supporting Israel. He pointed to her absence from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on July 24, stressing that this absence reflected her lack of support for Israel and her animosity towards it.
Upon reviewing Netanyahu’s speech, it was found that Harris did not attend the session due to a prior commitment with the Zeta Phi Beta organization, according to American media. However, she met with Netanyahu the following day and held talks with him, during which she reaffirmed her steadfast support for Israel.
Following the meeting, Harris stated that she urged the Israeli Prime Minister to quickly reach a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to ensure the safe return of dozens of hostages and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
U.S.-Israel Relations Under Harris
During the debate, Trump claimed, “If she’s president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years.” In response, Harris reaffirmed her unwavering support for Israel. She repeatedly emphasized “Israel’s right to defend itself,” even in the context of the war on Gaza. Despite acknowledging the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, she maintained her stance.
Since becoming a senator, Harris has consistently supported Israel. During her first visit to Israel in 2017, she met with Netanyahu and observed the Iron Dome air defense system. She highlighted the strong bilateral ties and stressed the importance of continued U.S. support for Israel’s security and military needs. Her commitment has remained steadfast, as evidenced by her involvement in initiatives like funding the Iron Dome and securing substantial military aid.
On numerous occasions, Harris has emphasized the United States’ commitment to supporting Israel’s security. In her 2017 speech at the AIPAC conference, she stressed the importance of the U.S.-Israel relationship and backed the allocation of $38 billion in military aid to Israel over a decade. She has also refused to support some liberal organizations, such as J Street, which take more critical positions toward Israel, further reflecting her unwavering commitment to supporting the Israeli state.
The Impact of Misleading Claims in Political Debates
Political debates provide candidates with a platform to showcase their positions and sway voters. However, these debates are frequently marred by claims that lack credible evidence.
In the Trump-Harris debate, both candidates presented numerous misleading and unsupported claims. These claims were used to shift the discussion toward sensitive issues and provoke emotional reactions from voters, causing the dialogue to center on contentious, unsubstantiated arguments rather than on factual information.
It was clear that each candidate tried to bolster their position by focusing on Middle East issues, especially relations with Israel. However, promoting misleading claims not only challenges democracy but also misleads voters and distorts the political landscape, rendering the electoral debate less objective and more polarizing.
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