Netanyahu to address Congress, meet Biden as Israelis ponder relationship: 'American people are with us'
FOX NewsJul 18
Israel Responds to Harris' Comments on Gaza War, Cease-fire Deal
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Above: US Vice President Kamala Harris and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on July 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Kenny Holston/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
After US Vice President Kamala Harris — who is now running for president after Pres. Joe Biden withdrew from the race — said that she would not be "silent" on the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel responded that her comments could complicate cease-fire negotiations.
Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, saying afterward that it was time to end the conflict. Harris reiterated many of the concerns she and Biden have made throughout the war.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Harris is a staunch supporter of Israel's security and its right to defend itself. However, at the same time, she is very sympathetic to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Indeed, it seems that everyone agrees that a cease-fire will significantly improve the situation, and Netanyahu must be willing to work with his allies to close the gaps.
Pro-Israel narrative
Yet again, the Biden administration is risking progress in cease-fire negotiations for political gain. Harris, who is now running for president, surprised Netanyahu and other Israeli officials with her unnecessarily complicated remarks. Indeed, it seems that, at times, Biden and Harris seek to put more pressure on Israel than Hamas — an illegitimate terrorist organization that poses an existential threat to Israel's security.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Harris might "talk tough" on Israel, but there is very little reason to believe that, if she were to win the presidency, her policies toward Israel would be significantly different than those of Biden. Harris, like Biden, is not willing to use the US' leverage over Israel to force a cease-fire, instead choosing to release toothless statements of "concern" regarding Palestinian suffering. This genocide must end now.
