Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the likely Democratic nominee for the US presidential elections, on Thursday.
The meeting comes at a crucial juncture as Biden dropped out of the presidential race endorsing Harris and mounting pressure on Israel to find a way to end the nine-month war. Over 39,000 Palestinians in Gaza lost their lives so far since the Israel-Hamas war.
Netanyahu's trip to the US also puts a spotlight on the views of Harris amid the raging war. Will she maintain Biden’s stand or will there be a difference? It is a matter closely watched by the experts.
Earlier, considering the plight of the innocent Palestinians, Harris had called for an "immediate ceasefire". She had also acknowledged the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.
Harris is set to meet Netanyahu privately at the White House on Thursday. Israel PM's one-on-one engagement with Harris was last in March 2021.
Netanyahu is under immense pressure from families of hostages demanding a cease-fire agreement to bring home their loved ones. Recently, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) recovered the bodies of five hostages in Gaza.
While addressing a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu lashed out against accusations by the International Criminal Court of Israeli war crimes. "Our enemies are your enemies," he told American lawmakers. "Our fight, it's your fight. And our victory will be your victory."
Netanyahu also in his speech praised Biden for his administration's support after the October 7 attack on Israel.
Netanyahu is also set to travel to Florida on Friday to meet with Trump.
Harris did not attend the Congressional address as she had to attend the annual convention of a sorority being held in Indiana. Her absence was questioned by many including the Republicans.
According to experts, though Harris is more critical of the war in Gaza than Biden, she is not expected to express views that differ from current policy during the meeting.
During the meeting, Harris is likely to reiterate US support for Israel's war in Gaza, the concerns about the Palestinian death toll and also the longing cease-fire deal with Hamas.
Meanwhile, Harris has condemned the protests that erupted as Netanyahu spoke to Congress at the Capitol. Protesters burned the American flag and raised pro-Gaza slogans.
“Yesterday, at Union Station in Washington DC we saw despicable acts by unpatriotic protesters and dangerous hate-fueled rhetoric...I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation,” she said.
“I condemn the burning of the American flag. That flag is a symbol of our highest ideals as a nation and represents the promise of America. It should never be desecrated in that way...I support the right to peacefully protest, but let’s be clear: antisemitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation,” Harris added.
