 "Harris tells Netanyahu she 'won't be silent' on Gaza crisis in meeting that had more eyes on it than Biden's")
US Vice President and Democratic Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris vowed to “not be silent” about the Gaza crisis during her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After the meeting, Harris mentioned that she expressed “serious concerns" about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war to the prime minister of the Jewish nation. She also mentioned that she urged the Israeli premier to lock down on a ceasefire deal.
The meeting between the two leaders came a day after Netanyahu addressed a joint session in US Congress where he defended Israel’s operation in Gaza and asked for Washington’s continued support.
While Netanyahu also held bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden. His meeting with Harris was closely observed since Harris is most probably going to run on the Democratic ticket for the upcoming 2024 US Presidential elections against Republican nominee Donald Trump.
What Harris said after the meeting
Harris gave an insight into what happened at the meeting and clarified that she would remain firm on her stance.
“Israel has a right to defend itself and how it does so matters. What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating,” Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, told reporters in remarks after her meeting with Netanyahu. The vice president’s remarks provided the clearest explanation yet of her views on the conflict.
Harris went on to echo the sentiments presented by Biden about the United State’s “ironclad” support of Israel. In the meeting, she recalled the details of the ceasefire and hostage deal proposed by the United States.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“It is time for this war to end and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self-determination,” she said. Harris said that she is hopeful that ceasefire talks will move smoothly.
“As I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done,” she said. “So to everyone who has been calling for a ceasefire, and to everyone who yearns for peace, I see you and I hear you.”
She concluded her remarks by telling the reporters that the Gaza war is not a “binary issue”.
“Let us all condemn terrorism and violence. Let us all do what we can to prevent the suffering of innocent civilians. And let us condemn antisemitism, islamophobia and hate of any kind. And let us work to unite our country,” she said.
With inputs from agencies.
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