Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the press following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House complex.

Harris began by sharing a personal anecdote from her childhood, recalling how she planted trees to support Israel’s “right to defend itself.” She emphasized the complexity of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, urging Americans to understand that it is not a binary issue. “Let us all condemn terrorism and violence,” she stated. “And let us condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia and hate of any kind.”

Reflecting on her recent discussions with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Harris said, “I just had a frank and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. I told him that I will always ensure that Israel is able to defend itself, including from Iran and Iran-backed militias such as Hamas and Hezbollah.”

“I’ve had an unwavering commitment to the existence of the State of Israel, to its security, and to the people of Israel,” she said.

  • imposedsensation@lemmynsfw.com
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    4 months ago

    I think Harris would be best served by staying as far away from this issue as possible, otherwise she will be sucked into a conflict that certainly will not be resolved before, and likely not after, the election.

    The US should probably stop sending weapons and foreign aid to Israel. They have a strong developed economy and it’s time to cut them off, regardless of this conflict.

    • Jesus@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      IMHO, she’s already pretty clearly signaled that she thinks Bibi is a POS that has killed a lot of innocent civilians.

      But she knows the GOP wants to run on false claims that the democrats want to support Hamas’ desire to wipe Israel off the map. She wanted to kneecap that argument with a statement about supporting defense.

      Her position is that she wants a two state solution, condemns the brutal offense that is killing civilians, but supports defense.

      • anticolonialist@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Did you not read her statement yesterday regarding protests in Union Station? She is 100% committed to continuing Bidens approach to Gaza and Zionists.

          • anticolonialist@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            Killing and starving them with our money and our weapons. But then crying about the humanity behind it all. Sorry I don’t believe it.

            • Jesus@lemmy.world
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              4 months ago

              Has she even said that her administration would fund Bibi’s campaign in Gaza? From what I can tell, she hasn’t. And so far she’s running to the left of Biden’s policy and has been much more outspoken about civilian deaths.

              She’s part of Biden’s administration, but that doesn’t mean her administration will be Biden’s administration.

              • anticolonialist@lemmy.world
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                4 months ago

                The language in her statement yesterday suggests she may be worse. Condemning flag burning, which is protected speech. Condemning protest, which is protected speech. Equating opposition to Zionism as antisemitism, which is bold face lie and gaslighting. Made the claim that supporters of Palestinian rights were protecting Hamas, also a bold faced lie and gaslighting. Netanyahu told our government to jump and everyone of them asked how high.

                Then finished it off with ‘hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation.’ Which is rich coming from a country that knows nothing BUT hate and violence.

    • xmunk@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      I think there is incredible potential to bring out young voters if she acts well - the discord has been muted by AIPAC but young people are seriously pissed. There may be some political calculus in trying to keep AIPAC from just switching to fully supporting the GOP but I think it’s about time to declare them a foreign actor anyways… Bernie’s recent speech was powerful and accurate and young people have been much more focused on this conflicts then politicians who get bales full of money from AIPAC want to admit.

      • imposedsensation@lemmynsfw.com
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        4 months ago

        Young people are also seriously ignorant and naive. The world is not a nice place to live. But if this is really what they want to fight about, god love em. They’re going to be out there for a long time. Personally I think avoiding autocracy at home is more important.

    • HubertManne@moist.catsweat.com
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      4 months ago

      I agree but both israeli and ukraine aid have been bills so the executive have to abide by them (unless your trump apparently but some folks are trying to do their job a bit less facisty). So the last sentence harris herself will be a bit limited on. Still there it is possible to do the bare minimum.