Netanyahu fears Harris' remarks may harm ceasefire talks
4 Min Read
Benjamin Netanyahu feels "unhappy" about Kamala Harris' remarks on-camera, claiming they contradict the general tone of their mutual meeting.
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Vice President Kamala Harris, right, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appear before a meeting at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington, July 25, 2024. (AP)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears presidential candidate Kamala Harris' on-air comments could harm the possibility of securing a prisoner exchange agreement and ceasefire deal in Gaza, an Israeli official relayed, as cited by Axios.
Harris met with Netanyahu - her first official meeting with a foreign leader since assuming candidacy - during a critical phase in the ongoing mediated negotiations with the Palestinian Resistance for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Following the meeting, Harris told reporters it was time to secure a Gaza ceasefire deal immediately, saying, "It is time for this war to end and the end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity, and self-determination."
"And as I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu it is time to get this deal done. Let's get the deal done. So we can get a ceasefire to end the war. Let's bring the hostages home. And let's provide much-needed relief to the Palestinian people," she added.
According to two Israeli officials, Netanyahu was taken aback by Harris' tone and statement, saying they were much sharper on camera than they were in private.
He was also reportedly unsettled with how Harris used the possible ceasefire deal as a solution to end the war when the prime minister repeatedly claimed he would continue his military onslaught in Gaza until his objectives were all achieved.
Although Harris did not directly hold Netanyahu or "Israel" accountable for the dire humanitarian state, human suffering, and the deaths of "far too many civilians" in Gaza, he was still inconvenienced by how her critique would appear to the public.
No criticism, only 'rock solid' support
When "Israel" and the United States appear in unison, it makes the possibility of securing a prisoner exchange deal and ceasefire agreement more plausible, and vice versa, the Israeli officials relayed. Therefore, they hoped Harris' "public criticism of Israel won't give Hamas the impression that there is daylight between the US and Israel and as a result make it harder to get a deal."
The vice president's aide, however, responded to the remarks made by the officials saying he "did not know what they were talking about" and stressed that the meeting between Netanyahu and Harris was "serious and collegial."
"President Biden and Vice President Harris delivered the same message in private to Netanyahu in their meetings and it was: 'It is time to get the ceasefire and hostage deal done. That's what the Vice President said publicly as well.'"
He further reiterated Kamala's "rock solid" support for "Israel", but stated her remarks regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza were consistent with previous statements she made.
Could Trump use the 'fallout' for his campaign?
Axios reported that former President Donald Trump might exploit Netanyahu's criticism of Harris as a campaign booster used to attack the vice president.
Only a few hours before Harris and Netanyahu's meeting, Trump said "Israel" must end the war and bring back the captives as soon as possible.
Trump is set to meet with Netanyahu on Friday morning at his Palm Beach resort in Florida.
Trump said on Truth Social on Tuesday, "Looking forward to welcoming Bibi Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida."
Trump praised his own involvement in the normalization agreements, which were reached during his administration and established bilateral ties between the Israeli occupation and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and Morocco.
In his Truth Social post, Trump stated: "During my first term, we had Peace and Stability in the Region, even signing the historic Abraham Accords - And we will have it again."
He also attacked Vice President Kamala Harris, the new Democratic front-runner for president in 2024, saying she was "in no way capable of stopping" international crises.
