Vice President Harris to Engage with Israeli Official in the U.S., Defying Netanyahu’s Stance – Sky Bulletin
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WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled for discussions on Monday with an Israeli wartime Cabinet member who has chosen to visit Washington, despite objections from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Benny Gantz, who holds a centrist view and is Netanyahu’s political adversary, is set to meet with several key figures from the Biden administration this week. His itinerary includes meetings with Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser to the White House. During this time, President Joe Biden is at Camp David until Tuesday.
A Likud party official belonging to Netanyahu’s far-right faction has indicated that Gantz’s visit was not authorized by the prime minister and mentioned that Netanyahu has reprimanded the Israeli official. This tension illustrates a growing rift within the Israeli government amidst the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
During her interaction with Gantz, Harris seeks to advocate for a limited-time cease-fire that could facilitate the release of various prisoners detained by Hamas. The deal has essentially been accepted by Israel, a senior official from the Biden administration notes, underscoring that Hamas now bears the responsibility to participate.
While speaking on Sunday in Selma, Alabama, Harris commented, “We urgently require a cease-fire, at minimum for the following six weeks as per the currently proposed terms, to facilitate the liberation of hostages and influx of aid into Gaza.”
Harris further added, “This cease-fire can pave the path to a more lasting resolution that ensures Israel’s security and respects the Palestinian people’s rights to dignity, freedom, and self-determination.”
Gantz‘s aims include fortifying U.S.–Israel relations, garnering support for Israel’s military efforts, and working toward the release of Israeli captives, an Israeli source revealed. Public discussion on the conflicts within the Israeli authorities by the officials is restricted.
The meetings fall in line with the U.S. strategy to initiate a series of aid airdrops into Gaza, following the recent loss of Palestinian lives during an attempt to access supplies from an Israeli-organized aid convoy. The initial airdrop dispersed approximately 38,000 meals into southwest Gaza. These airdrops aim to complement truck deliveries and are part of a broader plan to send humanitarian aid by sea, according to White House officials.
In her recent address, Harris pressed Israel to increase aid flows significantly. “With no room for excuses, they must establish additional border crossings and eradicate any nonessential barriers to aid delivery,” she stated.
Harris has previously encountered Gantz at the Munich Security Conference in 2022.
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Report contributions come from Associated Press journalists Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Wafaa Shurafa from the Gaza Strip, and Samy Magdy from Cairo.
FAQ
- Why is Benny Gantz visiting Washington contrary to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s wishes?
- What does Vice President Harris hope to achieve with her meeting with Gantz?
- Has the Israeli government officially agreed to the cease-fire?
- What steps does the U.S. plan to take to deliver aid to Gaza?
Gantz is visiting to engage with Biden administration officials regarding Israel’s current wartime policies and strategies, including potential cease-fire deals and aid provision.
Harris hopes to discuss and press for a temporary cease-fire that would facilitate the release of hostages and provision of aid in Gaza.
According to a senior Biden administration official, Israel has generally agreed to the proposed cease-fire deal, but the responsibility now lies with Hamas to agree as well.
The U.S. has begun a series of aid airdrops into Gaza and plans to continue supplementing these airdrops with truck deliveries as well as sea shipment of aid.
Conclusion
This chain of diplomatic engagements between U.S. officials and Benny Gantz underscores the intricate dynamics of international relations and internal political frictions within the Israeli government. Vice President Harris’s proactive approach to addressing the conflict, advocating for a cease-fire, and pressing for increased humanitarian aid delivery reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to stability in the region. It remains to be seen how these meetings will influence the wartime strategies and resolutions for a conflict marked by complexity and historical depth.
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