According to a report by Al Jazeera, U.S. Vice President and likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris faced sharp criticism from Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Ben-Gvir responded on X, stating bluntly: "There will be no truce, Madam Candidate."
Harris's call for a ceasefire came after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
During the meeting, Harris reiterated the Biden administration's support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats from Iran and Iranian-backed terrorist groups like Hamas. She also condemned Hamas as a "brutal terrorist organization."
However, Harris also expressed serious concern about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed, many of them civilians, since the conflict began in October 2023 following Hamas's attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people.
Harris said she "will not be silent" about the suffering in Gaza, which has included heartbreaking scenes of deceased children and displaced families.
In her remarks after the meeting, Harris reiterated the ceasefire deal proposed by President Biden that would secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and lead to a permanent end to the fighting and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. She urged Netanyahu to finalize the deal, stating "It is time to get this done."
Ben-Gvir's rejection of a ceasefire reflects the hardline position of Netanyahu's right-wing government, which has vowed "total victory" in the conflict. But Harris's willingness to publicly criticize aspects of Israel's conduct, while still affirming its right to self-defense, could signal a potential shift in U.S. policy if she becomes president.
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