Creator: Steve Holland and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the White Home on Thursday, in a gathering that’s being intently watched to see how her election as president would possibly change U.S. attitudes towards Israel. coverage indicators.
Hours earlier, President Joe Biden traveled to Israel for his first face-to-face talks with Netanyahu since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 and pledged a U.S. ceasefire within the nine-month struggle in Gaza. .
“We now have loads to speak about,” Harris stated in greeting Netanyahu, echoing virtually phrase for phrase what Biden stated when he met alone with the Israeli chief earlier within the day.
“We do,” Netanyahu instructed her.
A U.S. official stated Harris, one of many first high-profile U.S. leaders to name for a ceasefire, is predicted to maintain an in depth eye on the administration’s line and concentrate on the plight of Palestinians whereas supporting Israel’s proper to self-defense.
White Home nationwide safety spokesman John Kirby (NYSE: ) stated there are nonetheless variations between Israel and Hamas militants who management the Palestinian enclave of their pursuit of a ceasefire, however “we’re nearer now than earlier than.”
“Each side should compromise,” Kirby stated.
“I believe the message from the U.S. facet in that assembly was that we have to get this deal achieved as rapidly as doable,” stated State Division spokesman Matt Miller.
The go to coincides with a political shift in america. Biden, 81, dropped out of the U.S. presidential race on Sunday amid strain from fellow Democrats and endorsed Harris for the get together’s 2024 presidential nomination.
“We now have loads to speak about,” Biden stated as he welcomed Netanyahu to the Oval Workplace.
“I need to thanks for 50 years of public service and 50 years of assist for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu instructed Biden.
Additional safety fencing was erected across the White Home on Thursday to stop assaults by protesters.
Biden and Netanyahu earlier met with the households of American hostages held by Hamas. Representatives of the victims’ households instructed reporters after the assembly that they hoped to achieve a ceasefire settlement and permit the hostages to return residence.
“We come right here in the present day with a way of urgency,” stated Jonathan Dekel-Chen. He stated they have been extra optimistic a couple of deal for the reason that first launch of Israeli hostages below the final ceasefire.
Tensions between Biden and Netanyahu
Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have been strained for months on account of Israel’s offensive on Gaza, which has killed greater than 39,000 individuals, in response to Gaza well being officers.
The USA is Israel’s essential arms provider and is defending the nation from key UN votes.
Can Biden, now a “lame duck” president (a time period used for officers who is not going to be re-elected), or Harris, who’s tied with Republican rival Donald Trump in lots of election polls, problem It stays to be seen whether or not Netanyahu will have an effect.
On Friday, Netanyahu traveled to Florida to fulfill with Trump.
Harris aligned herself with Biden on Israel however struck a harder tone.
The battle started on October 7, when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 individuals. Israel launched retaliatory assaults.
In line with Israeli statistics, Hamas-led militants captured 250 prisoners on October 7. Though Israel believes a 3rd of the hostages are useless, some 120 hostages are nonetheless being held.
Provocative remarks
Netanyahu defended Israel’s assault on Gaza in a defiant speech earlier than the U.S. Congress on Wednesday, saying anti-Israel protesters “must be ashamed of themselves.”
The battle in Gaza has divided the Democratic Social gathering and sparked months of protests in opposition to Biden’s occasions. Falling assist amongst Arab People may harm Democrats’ possibilities in Michigan, one in every of a handful of states that might resolve the result of the Nov. 5 election.
In his Oval Workplace speech on Wednesday evening, Biden talked about that he wished the get together to unite to defeat Trump as the primary cause for his determination to not search re-election and as a substitute assist Harris within the 2024 race.
Negotiations for a long-sought ceasefire and hostage deal within the battle in Gaza look like within the remaining levels, a senior U.S. official stated on Wednesday.
U.S. officers had beforehand made comparable pledges for a ceasefire, however they evaporated on account of last-minute disagreements.
