Vice President Kamala Harris has made a strong call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pressing for an expedited cease-fire with Hamas to secure the release of hostages held since October 7.
In what she described as a "frank and constructive" dialogue, Harris affirmed Israel's right to self-defence but voiced grave concerns over the escalating death toll in Gaza after nine months of conflict and the worsening humanitarian crisis. Echoing President Joe Biden's sentiments on seeking a resolution to the devastating Gaza war, where casualties have soared past 39,000, Harris adopted a more emphatic stance on the critical need for peace. Especially following Netanyahu's defiant address to Congress, where he justified the war and glossed over cease-fire talks.
Harris, with the spotlight on her as a potential future Democratic presidential candidate, vowed "I will not be silent" over the situation in Gaza. She also conveyed optimism about progress in negotiations, telling the media after her meeting with Netanyahu, "There has been hopeful movement in the talks to secure an agreement on this deal," and stressed, "And as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done."
Earlier in the day, Netanyahu had a separate meeting with Biden, who has been urging both Israel and Hamas to agree on a US-backed, three-phase deal to bring home remaining hostages and establish an extended cease-fire. Following her meeting with Netanyahu, Harris stated that the situation in Gaza is more complex than simply supporting one side over the other, reports the Mirror US.
"Too often, the conversation is binary when the reality is anything but," said Harris. She also expressed condemnation of Hamas' brutality. John Kirby, White House national security spokesperson, reiterated the administration's stance that the militant group, which killed around 1,200 people on October 7 and abducted 250 Israelis, bears ultimate responsibility for the suffering in Gaza and must reach an agreement with Israel.
Kirby added that while there are gaps between the two sides that can be bridged, "but there are issues that need to be resolved that will require some leadership, some compromise." With Harris' strong remarks, it seemed the administration was increasing pressure on the Israelis not to miss this opportunity to secure a deal.
"What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time," Harris said. "We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent."
The streets of Washington were swamped with thousands protesting against Netanyahu's visit, whilst Vice President Harris publicly denounced any violent protestors and those spouting pro-Hamas rhetoric. Netanyahu is revisiting the White House for the first time since Trump's tenure and plans a follow-up trip to Florida to see the Republican presidential nominee this Friday.
Trump took aim during a North Carolina rally, lashing out at Vice President Harris by outrageously claiming she was "totally against the Jewish people." However, Harris has consistently voiced strong backing for Israel, marking her inaugural senatorial international trip in 2017 to the nation, alongside introducing a resolution as one of her initial acts in office that contested a UN Security Council condemnation of Israel.
She's also spoken of her personal ties to Israel, including memories of raising money as a child to plant trees in Israel and installing a mezuzah near the front door of the vice president's residence in Washington - her husband is Jewish. She also has connections to pro-Israel groups including the conservative American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the liberal J Street.
For Harris, the meeting with Netanyahu was an opportunity to demonstrate that she has the mettle to serve as commander in chief. She's being scrutinized by those on the political left who say Biden hasn't done enough to force Netanyahu to end the war and by Republicans looking to brand her as insufficient in her support for Israel.
2024-07-26T09:25:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd