Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 25, 2024, taking a notably firmer stance on the Gaza conflict than President Joe Biden has in recent months. In what she described as a ‘frank and constructive’ conversation, Harris emphasized the urgent need to end the nine-month-long war, protect civilians, and address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza.Harris stated emphatically, ‘I will not be silent’ on the scale of human suffering in Gaza, where over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed according to health officials. She urged Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas and secure the release of hostages held since October 7, 2023, saying, ‘It is time for this war to end’ and ‘It is time to get this deal done’.While affirming Israel’s right to defend itself, Harris stressed that ‘how it does so matters,’ expressing serious concern about the high civilian death toll and the humanitarian situation in Gaza. She also called for the creation of a Palestinian state, a position opposed by Netanyahu.Netanyahu, for his part, reiterated Israel’s commitment to defeating Hamas and promised not to reoccupy Gaza once the war is over. He emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself and rejected the idea of a Palestinian state.The meeting occurred amid growing tensions between Israel and the US over the handling of the conflict. Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C. in response to Netanyahu’s joint address before Congress, during which he did not mention plans for a ceasefire deal with Hamas.Harris’s assertive stance is seen as a potential shift in US policy towards Israel, with her comments marking a departure from Biden’s more cautious approach. As Harris positions herself for a potential 2024 presidential run, her handling of this high-stakes meeting is being closely watched as a demonstration of her ability to lead on complex foreign policy issues.
Key points
- Vice President Kamala Harris urged Israeli PM Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza and reach a ceasefire deal.
- Harris emphasized the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stated she ‘will not be silent’ on the suffering.
- The meeting marks a potential shift in US policy towards Israel, with Harris taking a firmer stance than President Biden.
- Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to defeating Hamas and rejected the idea of a Palestinian state.
Contradictions👾While Harris called for the creation of a Palestinian state, Netanyahu rejected this idea, highlighting ongoing disagreements between US and Israeli leadership.
