- Harris criticizes Gaza losses, urges ceasefire
- Supports Israel but emphasizes humanitarian aid
- Biden, Netanyahu discuss hostages, regional threats
US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is likely to be the Democratic contender in the November presidential election, has held “frank and constructive” conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Ms. Harris took a stronger tone than President Joe Biden, expressing her “serious concerns” about losses in Gaza and warning Mr. Netanyahu that how Israel defended itself was important.
“It is time for this war to end,” she stated following their face-to-face meeting at the White House.
Ms. Harris also emphasized the importance of a two-state solution, urging Americans to be conscious of “nuance” in the issue.
Earlier on Thursday, Netanyahu met with Biden, who ended his re-election campaign on Sunday.
Mr. Netanyahu’s White House discussions come a day after he delivered a furious speech to Congress, declaring “total victory” over Hamas, as hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered outside.
The prime minister is under pressure at home and abroad to put an end to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which is currently in its ninth month.
Mr. Biden’s unwavering support for Israel has enraged many left-wing activists, whose support the Democrats may require if they are to win the presidential election in November.
Given this, there is tremendous curiosity about Ms. Harris’s views on Israel if she succeeds Mr. Biden in the White House.
After meeting with Mr. Netanyahu for around 40 minutes, Ms. Harris stated that she had an “unwavering commitment” to Israel and its right to self-defense.
She stated that the fighting began on October 7, when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli estimates.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed over 39,000 people.
Israel has the right to defend itself. Ms. Harris expressed alarm over the “dire humanitarian situation” in Gaza.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be numb to the suffering, and I will not be silent,” she told the crowd.
Let’s get the deal done so we can have a ceasefire to end the war, she said. Bring the hostages home and provide much-needed relief to the Palestinian people.
On Friday, Mr. Netanyahu will meet with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
As he met Mr. Biden earlier, the prime minister stated that he had known him for 40 years and that the US president had known every Israeli prime leader over the last half century.
He stated, “I want to express my gratitude for 50 years of public service and support for the State of Israel, from a loyal Jewish Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist.”
Mr. Netanyahu also stated that he was looking forward to working with Mr. Biden “on the great issues before us” during the coming months.
The US president joked that Golda Meir was the first Israeli prime minister he had seen, and that her successor, Yitzhak Rabin, was present as an assistant.
At a news briefing, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu discussed the urgent need for a hostage release deal, the possibility of fighting spilling over into Lebanon, the threat from Iran, and the necessity to negotiate “compromises” in peace talks.
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While Mr. Kirby acknowledged that “gaps remain” in the US-Israel relationship, he described it as “healthy.”.
By healthy, I mean they won’t agree on everything, Mr. Kirby said, adding that Mr. Biden was extremely satisfied with his relationship with the Prime Minister.
The families of seven US citizens still held captive by Hamas in Gaza also participated in a closed-door discussion with US and Israeli officials.
After the discussion, Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui was stolen from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, told reporters that it was “productive and honest.” He did not go into further detail.
We are probably more optimistic than we have been since the initial batch of releases in late November or early December, he stated.
