Israel Responds to Harris' Comments on Gaza War, Cease-fire Deal

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Facts

  • After US Vice President Kamala Harris — who is now running for president after Pres. Joe Biden withdrew from the race — said that she would not be 'silent' on the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel responded that her comments could complicate cease-fire negotiations.[1]
  • Harris met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, saying afterward that it was time to end the conflict. Harris reiterated many of the concerns she and Biden have made throughout the war.[1]
  • On Friday, Harris's office rejected the notion that her comments complicated negotiations, with an aide reportedly saying 'I don't know what they're talking about.' Her office clarified that Biden and Harris 'delivered the same message' in their private meetings with Netanyahu.[2]
  • Former Pres. Donald Trump claimed during a meeting with Netanyahu on Friday that there could potentially be a 'third world war' if he does not win the presidential election, saying that if he wins 'It's all going to work out.' Trump also claimed that Harris was 'worse' on Middle East issues.[3]
  • Trump added that he thought Harris's comments were 'disrespectful' and dismissed any suggestion of tensions with Netanyahu. Netanyahu reportedly said Israel would soon deploy a negotiating team to discuss a cease-fire proposal in Rome.[4]
  • Axios reported that negotiations will resume on Sunday. Netanyahu has reportedly added new demands recently, such as Israeli control over the Gaza-Egypt border and a mechanism for monitoring the movement of Palestinians between the north and south of Gaza.[5]

Sources: [1]The Times of Israel, [2]Timesofisrael, [3]FOX News, [4]Al Jazeera and [5]Axios.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Politico. Harris is a staunch supporter of Israel's security and its right to defend itself. However, at the same time, she is very sympathetic to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. Indeed, it seems that everyone agrees that a cease-fire will significantly improve the situation, and Netanyahu must be willing to work with his allies to close the gaps.
  • Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by Jerusalem Post. Yet again, the Biden administration is risking progress in cease-fire negotiations for political gain. Harris, who is now running for president, surprised Netanyahu and other Israeli officials with her unnecessarily complicated remarks. Indeed, it seems that, at times, Biden and Harris seek to put more pressure on Israel than Hamas — an illegitimate terrorist organization that poses an existential threat to Israel's security.
  • Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Middle East Eye. Harris might 'talk tough' on Israel, but there is very little reason to believe that, if she were to win the presidency, her policies toward Israel would be significantly different than those of Biden. Harris, like Biden, is not willing to use the US' leverage over Israel to force a cease-fire, instead choosing to release toothless statements of 'concern' regarding Palestinian suffering. This genocide must end now.

Predictions