WASHINGTON ― Vice President Kamala Harris, abruptly additionally the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, on Thursday quietly grew to become the White Home’s public face on the Israel-Hamas warfare.
Whereas Harris and President Joe Biden each had conferences with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it was Harris, not Biden, who gave an in depth debriefing.
“I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating: Israel has a right to defend itself. And how it does so matters,” she stated. “I also expressed with the prime minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians.”
The six minutes of remarks, which she delivered from her ceremonial workplace within the Eisenhower Government Workplace Constructing whereas referring to notes, weren’t on her every day schedule launched Wednesday night time and have been introduced solely minutes forward of time. They have been notable for his or her frequent use of the non-public pronoun “I” somewhat than “we” or “the administration,” as is mostly the case when a White Home official apart from the president is delivering a press release on the White Home’s place.
Certainly, Harris opened her remarks with a proof of her private dedication to the Jewish state.
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“From when I was a young girl, collecting funds to plant trees for Israel, to my time in the United States Senate and now at the White House, I’ve had an unwavering commitment to the existence of the State of Israel, to its security and to the people of Israel,” she stated.
Although Harris did acknowledge and credit score Biden for his management on the difficulty so far, together with a plan to finish Israel’s assault on the Palestinian territory in return for Hamas’ launch of the remaining hostages it seized on Oct. 7, her determination to spell out her personal views displays the fact that ought to she win the presidential election in November, American international coverage could be in her fingers beginning on Jan. 20, 2025.
“As I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu, it is time to get this deal done. So to everyone who has been calling for a cease-fire and to everyone who yearns for peace: I see you and I hear you. Let’s get the deal done so we can get a cease-fire to end the war. Let’s bring the hostages home. And let’s provide much needed relief to the Palestinian people,” Harris stated. “And ultimately I remain committed to a path forward that can lead to a two-state solution.”
