Vice President Kamala Harris is facing scrutiny over her stance on Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington. Harris, who has been more critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza than President Biden, is expected to maintain the current policy during her meeting with Netanyahu.
Harris has been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and has called for an immediate cease-fire. Her comments have garnered attention and raised questions about her approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
As the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Harris will have to navigate this politically divisive issue carefully. President Biden’s popularity among progressive Democrats has suffered due to his support for Israel, especially in battleground states like Michigan. Harris is hoping to appeal to liberal voters who are unhappy with Biden’s policies on Israel.
During Netanyahu’s visit, Harris will meet privately with him at the White House. Her public statements before and after the meeting will be closely monitored for any signals about her future approach to the conflict.
Harris has decided to skip Netanyahu’s address to Congress and will instead fulfill a prior commitment to speak at an event hosted by a historically Black sorority in Indiana. This move is seen as a way to distance herself from Netanyahu and his policies.
While Harris may be more critical of Israel than Biden, she is not expected to express any differences in policy during her meeting with Netanyahu. Her handling of this issue will be closely watched as she positions herself for a potential presidential run in November.
