A seasoned American diplomat, Wendy Sherman served as deputy secretary of state under Joe Biden from 2021 to 2023, after holding senior positions in several Democratic administrations. She is now a member of an informal group of national security and foreign policy advisors to the Harris campaign.
The end game in Lebanon and in Gaza is not clear. Israel has said [the offensive in] Lebanon is about ensuring Israelis can return to their homes in the north but the action in Beirut foretells a broader effort to further degrade Hezbollah. Indeed, the cost to civilians and the humanitarian harm is profound and likely has created the next generation of Palestinian animus toward Israel. The letter from Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken and Secretary [of Defense Lloyd] Austin, reportedly sent to Israel this week [October 13], pressing Israel to improve the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza within 30 days given the requirements of US law [Section 620I of the Foreign Assistance Act, suspending arms deliveries in the event of non-compliance], is a critical imperative.
Nonetheless, Israel has every right to defend itself. And, we cannot forget the brutality of October 7 and the fact that hostages remain in Gaza. Ultimately, however, the only real solution to ensure Israel's security is a political horizon for Palestinians to also live in peace and security. Getting there takes leadership, political will and support throughout the region and the world.
We don't have fighting boots on the ground in either conflict, in Gaza and Lebanon, nor in Ukraine. We certainly have troops in the Middle East, and we are very concerned about their safety and security. The United States firmly supports the right of Israel to defend itself and we won't pull back from that, whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or Independent. Nonetheless, Vice President Harris has said quite clearly that there needs to be a political horizon for the Palestinians, that there needs to be immediate humanitarian assistance coming into the north and through the corridor from Jordan for people in Gaza. And that, yes, Israel has a right to defend itself against Hezbollah. Finally, we hope that any possible Israeli retaliation against Iran would be proportional to the assault by Iran on Israel.
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