Netanyahu reportedly unhappy with Harris over her remarks on Israel. The White House is pushing back against reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is upset with Vice President Kamala Harris over her remarks on the war in Gaza. Harris’ comments, made after meeting with Netanyahu on Thursday, expressed concern about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and called for a cease-fire and hostage deal.
According to an Israeli official, Netanyahu was unhappy with Harris’ remarks, which he believes could jeopardize a hostage and cease-fire deal. The official told Axios that Netanyahu was irked by Harris’ mention of civilian deaths in Gaza and the “dire humanitarian situation there.” The official added that Netanyahu felt Harris’ comments could give Hamas the impression that there is daylight between the US and Israel, making it harder to reach a deal.
However, a White House aide told Fox News that “I don’t know what they’re talking about” and that Harris’ public comments were consistent with her private message to Netanyahu. The aide said that President Biden and Harris delivered the same message to Netanyahu in their private meetings: “it’s time to get the cease-fire and hostage deal done.”
“When our enemies see the U.S. and Israel are aligned, it increases the chances for a hostage deal and decreases the chances for a regional escalation,” the Israeli official told Axios.
In her remarks, Harris emphasized the US’s “rock-solid support” for Israel’s right to defend itself, while also expressing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. She called for an end to the war and a cease-fire deal that would ensure Israel’s security and the release of hostages.
“We will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iran-backed militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah,” Harris said. “I also expressed with the Prime Minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians. And I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there.”
Harris added that “thanks to the leadership of our president, Joe Biden, there is a deal on the table for a cease-fire and a hostage deal” and “as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done.”
Former Trump national security aide John Ullyot told Fox News that Harris’ remarks show she has “taken over from Biden” and is pushing her own agenda. However, the White House aide disputed this, saying that Harris’ comments were consistent with the administration’s policy.
The reported diplomatic flare-up comes as Netanyahu meets with former President Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, following his meeting with President Biden and Harris in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. The situation in Gaza remains tense, with ongoing violence and a growing humanitarian crisis.
The US has been working to broker a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas, but efforts have been complicated by disagreements over the terms of a deal. Israel has demanded the release of hostages held by Hamas, while Hamas has called for an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
The White House has emphasized its commitment to Israel’s security, while also expressing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Harris’ remarks on Thursday were seen as an effort to balance these competing interests, while also pushing for a cease-fire deal.
One Comment
Leave a ReplyOne Ping
Pingback:One week into her campaign against Trump, Harris boasts 'record-breaking' fundraising haul - Hard Knock News