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'I will not be silent' on Gaza, Harris says after meeting Netanyahu
Kamala Harris said she pressed Benjamin Netanyahu about her concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza in “frank” talks in Washington that are being closely watched for indications of how she might deal with Israel if she becomes president.
After speaking to the Israeli prime minister she said:
Israel has a right to defend itself. And how it does so matters. I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there [in Gaza]. I will not be silent.
Harris’s remarks, which were sharp and serious in tone, reflected what could be a shift from President Joe Biden in how she deals with Netanyahu, Reuters reported.
Hours earlier, Biden pressed for a ceasefire to the nine-month-old war in Gaza in his first face-to-face talks with Netanyahu since the president traveled to Israel days after Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel and pledged American support.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said gaps remained between Israel and the Hamas militants who run the Palestinian enclave in the drive for a ceasefire but “we are closer now than we’ve been before”.
“Both sides have to make compromises,” Kirby said.
Analysts and commentators are pointing out that although Harris’ comments were sharper in tone that Biden’s have been towards Netanyahu, they do not mark a departure from the US administration’s official line of expressing concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza while continuing to supply weapons for the Israeli offensive:
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