The Hindu A separate interview took place with Pramila Jayapal, a Chennai-born member of the US House of Representatives, at an expatriate campaign event for Kamala Harris in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. US presidential electionQuestions have been edited for readability.
As chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, what do you think is needed to successfully bring together some Republicans, moderates and progressives dissatisfied with Trump if Kamala Harris is elected president?
I think she’s already doing that. He has run an almost flawless campaign. She has been a remarkable voice for opportunity for everyone in America. What’s wonderful about them is that different people can see themselves in them in different ways. If you’re middle class, you might see yourself in Kamala Harris. If you worked at McDonald’s, you might see yourself in Kamala Harris. If you’re an Indian American, you might see yourself in Kamala Harris. If you’re a woman, you might see yourself in Kamala Harris. So I think this is a really important moment. Obviously, it’s close because of the Electoral College. The popular vote, we always win as Democrats, but unfortunately, we have a system with the Electoral College where it’s limited to a few key states, and Indian Americans can be the margin of victory in many of these key states.
What is your message to Arab Americans, many of whom are concerned about the Biden-Harris administration’s position on the Israel-Gaza conflict?Some people may sit home (i.e. not vote), some may vote for Republican candidate Donald Trump.
I share the concerns of Arab Americans. I have been very vocal on the need for a ceasefire. I have been very vocal on the need to use our leverage, including saying that we will stop offensive military weapons if Israel does not stop using those weapons on Gaza and now Lebanon. So I share their concerns. But what I say to them is that don’t forget that Donald Trump is the one who actually empowered (Benjamin) Netanyahu to expand settlements in the West Bank. Donald Trump’s ambassador to Israel (David Friedma), was actually the person who had a monetary interest in expanding the settlements. Under Donald Trump, the (US) embassy was moved to Jerusalem. Donald Trump institutes ‘Muslim ban’. So, I think we have to think about how long a fight this policy change is going to take. Kamala Harris will provide us with more fertile ground to be able to do that work. Because Donald Trump is the person who established a unit to denaturalize citizens in 2021. Indian Americans, Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, we all need to think about how do we win this election for Kamala Harris, and then we can continue to work on the policies that we need to work on.
Do you think that once the election is over, and if she wins, she will become more aggressive with regard to Israel?
I don’t know. I have spoken to him directly about this. I have said how important it is for us to enforce our domestic laws. You saw the letter from Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin on Sunday that said exactly that if Israel does not comply with a number of things – it was the most detailed letter that I have seen – they would consider enforcing domestic laws and The Leahy Law says we cannot provide funding unless someone is complying with international humanitarian law.
Harris is more progressive than US President Joe Biden. Biden also says that his personal relationships foster and contribute to his relationships with foreign leaders. How do you think these two factors will impact US attitudes towards India in the next few years, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in office?
Kamala Harris has a very deep connection with India, because her mother was from India. His family still lives in India. She is connected to the culture. She understands this. It is bringing a lived experience which you cannot replicate just by understanding the country in isolation. From that perspective, she would be very qualified to build those relationships. But she has also been the Vice President for four years. He has traveled around the world. She’s met with world leaders, and I think she’s been very involved in foreign affairs while working with President Biden. She’ll bring her personality, her life experiences, her philosophy, but I think she’s exceptionally capable of being the next president of the United States and, I think, restoring respect for the United States on the global stage. In doing so, and building even deeper relationships with world leaders, which is absolutely essential. But don’t forget that it is the United States that is the real power here, the person who sits in the Oval Office wields the power of the United States, and if we are so lucky we have Kamala Harris as the next President. If she can choose, I believe she will do it with tremendous dignity, grace and skill.
published – October 21, 2024 07:25 am IST