In just a few months, the American people will choose the course of America’s future. I made my choice.
And I would like to thank our great Vice President—@KamalaHarris.
She’s experienced, tough, capable.
She has been an incredible partner to me and leader for our country.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 25, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Thursday. This visit marks Netanyahu’s first meeting at the White House since Biden took office in 2020. The meeting comes at a crucial time for both the U.S. and Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met yesterday, before his speech to the US Congress, with the leaders of both houses – House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.https://t.co/jXhZt2BfHj pic.twitter.com/9o2rcGADd2
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 25, 2024
There is growing pressure to find a resolution to the nine-month war in Gaza that has left many casualties and Israeli hostages still in Hamas captivity. The White House says negotiations are in the final stages but some issues remain unresolved. Netanyahu gave a fiery speech to Congress, vowing a “total victory” in Gaza and criticizing U.S. protesters.
He said, “Our enemies are your enemies. Our fight is your fight.
WATCH: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Address Before a Joint Meeting of the US Congresshttps://t.co/C1X0gzgnqG
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) July 25, 2024
And our victory will be your victory.” He praised Biden for his support but also highlighted actions by former President Donald Trump that benefited Israel, such as recognizing Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.
Vice President Harris will meet separately with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu wants Trump to win, but he's stuck with Biden for six more months and now faces a possible President Harris. Will Biden-Harris finally condition U.S. military aid and arms sales on an end to the bombing and starving of Palestinian civilians? https://t.co/wpXQ9Xcocx
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) July 23, 2024
She is facing scrutiny from both the political left, who believe Biden hasn’t done enough to pressure Netanyahu to end the war, and from Republicans who criticize her support for Israel. A senior administration official said there is “no daylight between the president and vice president” on Israel.
Netanyahu is balancing pressures from the families of hostages calling for a cease-fire and from right-wing members of his coalition demanding a firmer stance against Hamas. He defended Israel’s actions during the war and denounced accusations of Israeli war crimes by the International Criminal Court. Security measures have been heightened at the White House ahead of Netanyahu’s visit, with additional fencing and barriers erected by the Secret Service.
After his White House meeting, Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Florida on Friday. The visit and subsequent meetings are seen as pivotal in shaping future relations and strategies concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle East politics. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following his address to Congress.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture for all three leaders, amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions and domestic political shifts. President Biden recently announced his decision to step down from the 2024 presidential race, positioning Vice President Harris as the likely Democratic nominee. Netanyahu’s visit to the White House includes discussions on the Israel-Hamas war, which has now lasted nine months and resulted in over 39,000 casualties in Gaza.
His speech to Congress was met with significant controversy, including boycotts from more than 60 Democratic lawmakers. Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and criticized American protesters. At a campaign rally, former President Donald Trump criticized Harris, calling her his “new victim to defeat” and questioned her readiness for leadership.
Trump also reiterated his stance on flag burning, calling for jail time for those who desecrate the American flag. Thousands of protesters marched in Washington, D.C., chanting “Free, free Palestine” and replacing American flags with Palestinian ones in response to Netanyahu’s visit and congressional address. Vice President Harris has started rolling out her campaign messages, emphasizing freedom concerning abortion rights, gun violence, and economic opportunity.
Meeting amid geopolitical tensions
Republicans have launched attack ads against her, questioning her record and fitness for the presidency. Negotiations between the U.S., Israel, and Hamas continue, focused on securing the release of hostages in Gaza.
Success in these negotiations could significantly impact Harris’s campaign and Biden’s legacy. As all three leaders navigate these complex political waters, the outcome of these meetings and ongoing negotiations could redefine alliances and shape future policies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a speech to Congress on Wednesday, and Vice President Kamala Harris was notably absent.
Instead, Harris attended an event in Indiana, causing speculation about a potential shift in U.S. policy towards Israel under her influence. Dozens of Democrats, including Harris, chose to skip Netanyahu’s address. Progressives are hopeful that Harris, as a potential Democratic nominee, will chart a new path on U.S.-Israel relations that differs from President Biden’s.
Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour argued that pro-Palestinian activists were responsible for significant political changes, including influencing President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for a second term. Security was heightened around the Capitol as Netanyahu prepared to speak. Sarsour suggested that Harris’s absence was a calculated political decision, hinting at her potential break from traditional stances on Israel.
Rep. Ro Khanna commented on the symbolic nature of Harris’s absence, suggesting she has a chance to differentiate herself from the current administration’s policies toward Israel. Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland took Harris’s place.
The speech was attended by only about half of the House and Senate Democrats and was boycotted by many progressives. Netanyahu remains a divisive figure, often enjoying closer ties with Republicans than Democrats. Rep.
Maxwell Frost of Florida drew parallels between Netanyahu and former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the polarizing nature of both figures. Frost supported the decision to boycott the speech. Netanyahu’s controversial tenure continues to stir debate in the U.S. and Israel.
He is criticized for his handling of attacks by Hamas and his attempted judicial reforms. Despite Netanyahu’s speech addressing bipartisan concerns such as the threat from Iran, elements of his address seemed designed to appeal specifically to a Republican audience. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American member of Congress, displayed a “War Criminal” sign during the speech, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized Netanyahu’s presentation.
It remains uncertain if Harris’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict will significantly diverge from Biden’s. Her recent rhetoric has shown a tougher stance, including a call for a ceasefire in March, aligning more closely with progressive activists. Rep.
Summer Lee of Pennsylvania stressed the importance of Harris distinguishing herself on this issue, reflecting a broader hope among progressives for impactful political change. The political dynamics surrounding Netanyahu’s speech and Harris’s absence indicate potential evolutions in U.S. foreign policy, mirroring the evolving sentiments within the Democratic Party.
