An Israeli official criticized US Vice President Kamala Harris’ calls to stop the Israeli war on Gaza, and her statements about the “deteriorating humanitarian crisis” in the Strip, claiming that they “harm” negotiations to release detainees in Gaza, expressing his rejection of the two messages, while an aide to Harris expressed his surprise, saying: “We do not know what they are talking about.. Her public statements are the same statements that she conveyed to Netanyahu.”
The official referred to statements by potential US presidential candidate Kamala Harris, after her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, about deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The official said Netanyahu gave Harris a “detailed account of the facts” about the “reality on the ground,” rejecting what he said were her “claims” about severe food shortages, civilian suffering and large numbers of innocent victims.
“Is the harm to Palestinian civilians really the problem now?” the Israeli official asked.
“What is Hamas supposed to think when it hears these statements?” he added, hinting that such talk “could lead the movement to harden its demands.” He continued, “I hope these statements will not lead to a setback in the talks, because we have made a lot of progress.”
Criticism from Netanyahu’s government
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized Harris’ calls for an immediate end to Israel’s war on Gaza.
Ben-Gvir wrote on his X account: “The war will not stop… Madam candidate,” while Smotrich said that “Kamala Harris revealed to the entire world what I have been saying for weeks about what will happen as a result of this deal, surrendering to (Yahya) Sinwar. Stopping the war in this way will allow Hamas to regain its strength and eliminate most of the kidnapped in captivity… It is forbidden to fall into this trap.”
The Times of Israel reported that despite the Israeli official’s “frustration” with Harris’s public statements, he expressed that relations with President Joe Biden’s administration will not deteriorate, as the congresswoman, who is expected to become the Democratic presidential candidate, takes on a greater role.
“We are on a path of cooperation and closing gaps, but that’s why Harris’ press conference was problematic,” he said.
Harris’ message in public and in private is the same.
In response to the remarks, an aide to Harris told The Times of Israel: “I don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“President Biden and Vice President Harris delivered the same message in their private meetings with Netanyahu: It’s time to strike a ceasefire, release the detainees, and that’s what Harris has said publicly as well,” he added.
“Her remarks are consistent with her previous comments on the conflict. She began by affirming her steadfast support for Israel, and then expressed her concerns about civilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as she always does,” he continued.
He pointed out that the meeting between the Israeli Prime Minister and the Vice President was “serious and frank.”
Harris: I will not be silent about Gaza’s suffering
Harris said after meeting Netanyahu that she “will not stand silent” about the suffering in Gaza, expressing her “deep concern” about the humanitarian situation in the Strip and noting that she told Netanyahu that “the time has come” to reach a ceasefire agreement.
The meeting between Harris and Netanyahu was closely watched for signs of whether Harris would embrace a change in US policy toward Israel if she became president.
“Israel has the right to defend itself,” Harris told reporters after the meeting, adding that she had expressed concerns about the scale of the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. “I made clear my deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation there,” she said. “I will not be silent.”
“Images of dead children, of starving people fleeing for safety. What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is horrific. We cannot turn a blind eye to these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become inactive in the face of suffering, and I will not be silent,” she said, according to CNN.
“Let’s get a deal, so we can reach a ceasefire, end the war, return the detainees to their homes, and provide the aid the Palestinian people need,” she continued.