Kamala Harris assures Benjamin Netanyahu of her support for Israel’s right to defend itself, but promises to speak out against the suffering in Gaza
Kamala Harris emphasized that she will not stay silent regarding the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza after meeting with Israel’s prime minister.
The likely Democratic Party candidate for president shared that she raised significant concerns with Benjamin Netanyahu during their discussions at the White House on Thursday.
This meeting followed Mr Netanyahu‘s meeting with Mr Biden, who is pushing for a ceasefire and a deal for the release of hostages to be agreed upon by Israel and Hamas.
Commenting on her meeting with the Israeli leader, Ms Harris acknowledged Israel’s right to self-defense, but emphasized that “how it does so matters.”
The support for Israel from Joe Biden’s administration has faced criticism in the US, with protests on university campuses and in Washington.
While Ms. Harris labeled Hamas as a “brutal terrorist organization” that initiated the war with its attack on Israel on October 7, there were several moments in her post-meeting remarks that hinted at the US expecting more from Mr. Netanyahu.
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Joe Biden has met with the Israeli prime minister in the Oval Office
Addressing the situation in Gaza, she stated: “I also conveyed my serious concerns to the prime minister about the significant human suffering in Gaza, including the tragic loss of many innocent civilians.
“And I expressed my deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation there. With over two million people facing high levels of food insecurity and half a million people enduring catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity, the events in Gaza over the past nine months have been devastating.
“The heart-wrenching scenes of deceased children and desperate, hungry individuals seeking safety, some being displaced from their homes multiple times. We cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. We must not become desensitized to the suffering. And I will not remain silent.”
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Aware that she is essentially in an election campaign domestically, she outlined details of the proposed ceasefire agreement, which involves the release of remaining hostages, some of whom are American.
She mentioned that the first step would be a “complete ceasefire,” which includes the withdrawal of the Israeli military from population centers in Gaza.
The second phase would entail the withdrawal of the Israeli military from all of Gaza, leading to a “permanent cessation of hostilities” and the release of hostages.
“It is time for this war to end in a manner that ensures Israel’s security, releases all hostages, ends the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and allows the Palestinian people to exercise their right to freedom, dignity, and self-determination.
“And ultimately, I remain dedicated to a pathway that can pave the way for a two-state solution.”
Something Mr. Netanyahu has consistently rejected, arguing that it compromises Israel’s security.
Ms. Harris described her talks with the Israeli PM as “frank,” and her post-meeting statement contained a hint of criticism towards Mr. Netanyahu.
On his part, he will seek to appeal to the other side of the American political spectrum when he meets with Republican candidate and former US President, Donald Trump later today at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
