LONDON – Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, has pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the “dire” humanitarian situation in Gaza in talks that she described as frank, adding “I will not be silent,” The Guardian said.
In comments that were closely watched for signs of a shift from Joe Biden’s policy approach, the US vice-president said after the meeting: “What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time.”
Hours earlier, Israel’s prime minister had enjoyed a more cordial greeting from Biden in the Oval Office, saying: “From a proud Jewish Zionist to a proud Irish-American Zionist, I want to thank you for 50 years of public service and 50 years of support for the state of Israel.”
According to a White House account of their meeting, the two leaders discussed the ceasefire and hostage negotiations “in detail”, and Biden “expressed the need to close the remaining gaps, finalize the deal as soon as possible, bring the hostages home, and reach a durable end to the war in Gaza”.
Harris’ forceful remarks, which were sharp and serious in tone, reflected what might mark a departure from Biden in how she deals with Netanyahu.
Some noted the significance of Harris being the one to give public remarks after both she and Biden had separately met the prime minister.
