Music superstar John Legend is calling for Vice President Harris to make U.S. aid to Israel conditional, amid its ongoing offensives in Gaza and Lebanon.
In an interview with Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan, Legend said America must use its aid to Israel as “leverage.”
“I don’t think we should be writing blank checks to any country that we are allied with, and that any kind of assistance we provide, any kind of weapons we send, should come with conditions,” Legend said. “And I think that’s a very sensible way to conduct foreign policy. We do it just about everywhere else. So let’s do it there, too.”
Harris has faced criticism for her stance on the Israel-Hamas war, including after what seemed to be a jumbled answer in a “60 Minutes” interview this week.
“The aid that we have given Israel allowed Israel to defend itself against 200 ballistic missiles that were just meant to attack the Israelis and the people of Israel,” Harris said when asked about the U.S.’s “sway” over the situation.
“And when we think about the threat that Hamas, Hezbollah presents, Iran, I think that it is without any question our imperative to do what we can to allow Israel to defend itself against those kinds of attacks,” Harris added.
Legend, a strong Democratic supporter who has endorsed Harris and other candidates across the country, has been outspoken about his support of Palestinians .
He also condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza and the impact it has on children Wednesday.
“It also makes me very frustrated how easily we dehumanize certain people based on where they live, the color of their skin, their religion, whether or not they’re allies with our country. No matter what political disagreements and political animus and anger we have at Hamas and the leadership in Gaza, those kids are innocent,” he said.
But Legend criticized the politicization around the ongoing war and the “cancel culture” that has stopped other celebrities from speaking out.
“They’ve seen people get punished for it. You know, they’ve seen people lose their agent or lose jobs from it. And I think some people are afraid of that possibility. They’re afraid they’ll suffer professional consequences.
“I’m not afraid,” he added. “I believe in what I’m saying.”
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