Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ignited a firestorm of controversy, exposing growing tensions between the United States and Israel over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a public statement following the meeting, Harris called for an immediate ceasefire and expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 39,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed.Harris’s remarks, which emphasized the need to end the war, secure Israel, release all hostages, and address Palestinian suffering, caught Israeli officials off guard. Many felt her public criticism was more pointed than the private conversation, described as ‘serious and collegial’ by her aide. Netanyahu was reportedly upset by the statement, viewing it as a potential threat to peace negotiations with Hamas.The Vice President’s stance has drawn sharp rebuke from Israeli hardliners. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir accused Harris of calling for Israel’s surrender, with Ben Gvir stating bluntly, ‘there will be no ceasefire, Mrs. candidate’.Meanwhile, Hamas has seized upon the apparent rift, calling on the US to pressure Netanyahu to halt attacks on Gaza. Hamas official Izzet er-Rişk dismissed US concerns about Gaza’s humanitarian situation as ‘a renewed American lie,’ accusing the administration of ignoring Palestinians’ right to resist occupation.The controversy comes amid a broader international push for peace. The leaders of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand have issued a joint statement calling for an urgent ceasefire, citing ‘unacceptable human suffering’ in Gaza. As tensions simmer, the incident underscores the delicate balance the US must strike in supporting Israel while addressing humanitarian concerns and pursuing a two-state solution.
Key points
- Vice President Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, surprising Israeli officials with her public criticism.
- Israeli hardliners strongly criticized Harris’s stance, accusing her of calling for Israel’s surrender.
- Hamas has called on the US to pressure Netanyahu to stop attacks on Gaza, while dismissing US humanitarian concerns.
- The incident has highlighted growing disagreements between the US and Israel over the handling of the Gaza conflict.
Contradictions👾While Harris’s aide claimed the meeting was ‘serious and collegial’, Israeli officials reported being ‘caught off guard’ by her public statement.
👾There are conflicting reports about whether Harris delivered the same message privately as she did publicly, with some sources suggesting a discrepancy.
