“Israel has the right to defend itself… and how it does so matters,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris’ comments came after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Thursday.
“Now is the time to end this war, with Israel safe, with all hostages free, with an end to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and with the Palestinian people able to exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self-determination,” Harris said.
Since Harris launched her campaign on Sunday, the de facto Democratic presidential nominee has been under pressure to further clarify her campaign stance. Israel’s war with Hamas in Gazanow in my 10th month.
Harris described her meeting with Netanyahu as “frank” and urged him to continue moving forward with a phased plan to deescalate fighting in the densely populated Gaza Strip, release hostages and allow Palestinians there to resume normal life.
“There has been encouraging movement and discussions to reach an agreement on this deal,” she said, “and as I told Prime Minister Netanyahu earlier, now is the time to get this deal done.”
“So to all who have been calling for a ceasefire. And to all who long for peace: I see you, I hear you. Let’s bring the hostages home. And let’s provide the Palestinian people with much-needed relief.”
The White House later said Ms Harris and Netanyahu also discussed “the importance of the Government’s efforts to ensure Israel’s defense against threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups, including Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Houthis, as well as combating rising anti-Semitism around the world.”
The meeting took place amid a controversial visit to Washington by Prime Minister Netanyahu and an Israeli delegation.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the US Capitol while Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress on Wednesday to protest the prime minister’s visit and US support for Israel. Protesters vandalized statues and burned the US flag, replacing it with a Palestinian flag.
US Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House grounds in Washington, DC, USA, July 25, 2024.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
“I condemn any individuals associated with Hamas, a brutal terrorist organization vowed to destroy the state of Israel and murder Jewish people,” Harris said in a statement about the protests early Thursday. “Graffiti and speech in support of Hamas are abhorrent and will not be tolerated in our country.”
“Let us all condemn terrorism and violence,” Harris said after meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday. “Let us all do what we can to prevent the suffering of innocent civilians. And let us all condemn anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred of any kind. And let us work to unite our country.”
Biden and Netanyahu held bilateral talks in the Oval Office earlier in the day, after which the two leaders met with the families of the American hostages.
“We’re probably more optimistic since the first wave of releases, when just over 100 Israeli hostages were freed in late November and early December,” said Jonathan Dekel Chen, whose son Sagi is currently being held hostage in Gaza.
“We have received an absolute commitment from the Biden administration and Prime Minister Netanyahu that they understand the urgency of this moment and will waste no time and complete this agreement as it stands.”
According to the Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza: Number of Palestinians reported killed The death toll has now exceeded 39,000 since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. In addition to the reported deaths, approximately 90,000 Palestinians are reported to have been injured.
On October 7, 2023, a brutal surprise attack by Hamas into Israel killed more than 1,100 people and prompted an Israeli military invasion.
“What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is horrific,” Harris said. “We cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. I will not be silent.”
