Kamala Harris calls on Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to end the war and the suffering of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip

US Vice President Kamala Harris will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House this week, but will not be able to chair a joint session of the US Congress at which he would deliver a speech, according to her adviser.

“We expect the Vice President to express her view that it is time to end the war in a way that will keep Israel safe, release all hostages, end the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to dignity, freedom and self-determination. And they will discuss efforts to reach an agreement on the ceasefire,” said an adviser to Vice President Harris. PTI.

On July 24, Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of the US Congress. It will be his fourth speech to the US Congress, the longest ever given by a foreign head of state.

“The Vice President is meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House this week. This meeting is separate from the scheduled meeting with President Biden. The Vice President is traveling to Indianapolis on July 24 for an already scheduled event and will not be able to lead Prime Minister Netanyahu’s planned address to a joint session of Congress,” the adviser said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives criticizes Harris for her absence from the joint session

The joint session is normally chaired by the Vice President, but Ms. Harris would not be able to attend due to her already scheduled event in Indianapolis.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who had invited Netanyahu to the joint speech, criticized Harris for her absence from the meeting. “Madam Vice President, you say you want to be the leader of the free world, and yet you cannot bring yourself to sit behind our most important strategic ally at this moment. That is not a good image for you. It is not a good image for America. It is not a good image for the party that she wants to lead,” he told reporters at a news conference here.

But Ms Harris’s aides defended the decision, insisting that too much should not be read into the absence. “Her trip to Indianapolis on July 24 should not be interpreted as a change in her stance on Israel. This is a statement confirming her travel plans,” her aide said. PTI in response to a question about the criticism of her political opponents regarding this measure.

Harris’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security

According to the adviser, Ms. Harris has remained steadfast in her commitment to Israel’s security throughout her career. “That remains true today,” the adviser said.

“Since October 7, she has been closely engaged with Israeli officials as part of our administration’s support of Israel in its efforts to eliminate the threat posed by Hamas. She has spoken regularly with President Herzog and met with him once. And she has met with then-War Cabinet member Benny Gantz. She has participated in more than 20 phone calls between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu,” the adviser said.

Ms Harris has repeatedly condemned Hamas’s brutal attack on October 7 and expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense. “She has met with families of Americans held hostage and former hostages, including just last month when she met with a former Israeli hostage who survived a sexual assault while in captivity, and hosted an event at the White House that focused on Hamas’s horrific sexual violence,” the aide said.

“Through her meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, she will continue her intense engagement in the Gaza conflict. We expect she will underscore her commitment to ensuring Israel can defend itself against threats from Iran and Iran-backed militias, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Hamas. She will reiterate her condemnation of Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack on October 7 and the horrific sexual violence. She will reiterate her deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the loss of innocent lives,” the adviser said.

“We expect the Vice President to express her view that it is time to end the war in a way that will keep Israel safe, release all hostages, end the suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and allow the Palestinian people to enjoy their right to dignity, freedom and self-determination. And they will discuss efforts to reach an agreement on the ceasefire.”

First diplomatic test

Accordingly The New York TimesIn her first week as the likely Democratic presidential nominee, Harris will face the most politically contentious issue in U.S. foreign policy when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes an official visit to Washington.

“Netanyahu’s trip highlights the views of Ms. Harris, who has emerged as a powerful voice in the war between Israel and Hamas, particularly in discussing the plight of innocent Palestinians. In a civil rights speech in Selma, Alabama, Ms. Harris attracted widespread attention this year for calling for an “immediate ceasefire” and attacking Israel for causing a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza,” the daily said.