Gantz Meets with Harris at White House, Discusses Ceasefire Efforts, Hostages, and Humanitarian Aid
While the Vice President reiterated the American support for Israel’s right to defend itself, she also expressed deep concern over the current conditions in Gaza
Mandi Kogosowski
| 05/03/2024
Photo: Vice President Kamala Harris X (Twitter) account
Israel’s War Cabinet Member, Minister Benny Gantz, met with US Vice President, Kamala Harris, at the White House yesterday (Monday). According to the official White House announcement, Harris reiterated US support for Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of ongoing Hamas terrorist threats and underscored the “unwavering” American commitment to Israel’s security.
The Vice President also expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the need for Israel to enable assistance and establish a comprehensive humanitarian plan before contemplating any major military operation in Rafah, where the majority of the Gaza Strip’s two million residents have currently found refuge. She called on Hamas to accept the terms on the table whereby the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire.
On Sunday, on a speech she gave in Selma, Harris made some poignant remarks about the need for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas for at least six weeks, in order to “get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in,” adding that “This will allow us to build something more enduring to ensure Israel is secure and to respect the right of the Palestinian people to dignity, freedom and self-determination.”
NBC reports that the original draft of Harris’ speech was actually harsher on Israel, regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and was “watered down” by her aids.
Gantz’s visit to the US was not launched smoothly. According to reports in the Israeli press, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is furious with this trip, as he has issued a directive that no one from the government will visit the White House before he does. Reportedly, the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed the Israeli ambassador to Washington, Mike Herzog (the brother of Israel’s president Isaac Herzog), to refrain from attending any event or meeting.
“I mean, obviously, we certainly recognize Prime Minister Netanyahu as the elected prime minister of the government of Israel, and we will continue to deal with him and with his entire war cabinet. Mr. Gantz is a part of that war cabinet,” said National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby,” answering a journalist’s question on the matter.
“He (Gantz) asked for a set of meetings while he was here in Washington. A member of the war cabinet of a country at war, an ally, and a partner. We weren’t going to just overlook that opportunity to have that discussion.”
Today, (Tuesday), Gantz is expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. From Washington, he will travel to London. The Israeli embassy in the UK as also been instructed not to facilitate he visit.
While the Vice President reiterated the American support for Israel’s right to defend itself, she also expressed deep concern over the current conditions in Gaza
Photo: Vice President Kamala Harris X (Twitter) account
Israel’s War Cabinet Member, Minister Benny Gantz, met with US Vice President, Kamala Harris, at the White House yesterday (Monday). According to the official White House announcement, Harris reiterated US support for Israel’s right to defend itself in the face of ongoing Hamas terrorist threats and underscored the “unwavering” American commitment to Israel’s security.
The Vice President also expressed her deep concern about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and the need for Israel to enable assistance and establish a comprehensive humanitarian plan before contemplating any major military operation in Rafah, where the majority of the Gaza Strip’s two million residents have currently found refuge. She called on Hamas to accept the terms on the table whereby the release of hostages would result in an immediate six-week ceasefire.
On Sunday, on a speech she gave in Selma, Harris made some poignant remarks about the need for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas for at least six weeks, in order to “get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in,” adding that “This will allow us to build something more enduring to ensure Israel is secure and to respect the right of the Palestinian people to dignity, freedom and self-determination.”
NBC reports that the original draft of Harris’ speech was actually harsher on Israel, regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and was “watered down” by her aids.
Gantz’s visit to the US was not launched smoothly. According to reports in the Israeli press, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is furious with this trip, as he has issued a directive that no one from the government will visit the White House before he does. Reportedly, the Prime Minister’s Office has instructed the Israeli ambassador to Washington, Mike Herzog (the brother of Israel’s president Isaac Herzog), to refrain from attending any event or meeting.
“I mean, obviously, we certainly recognize Prime Minister Netanyahu as the elected prime minister of the government of Israel, and we will continue to deal with him and with his entire war cabinet. Mr. Gantz is a part of that war cabinet,” said National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby,” answering a journalist’s question on the matter.
“He (Gantz) asked for a set of meetings while he was here in Washington. A member of the war cabinet of a country at war, an ally, and a partner. We weren’t going to just overlook that opportunity to have that discussion.”
Today, (Tuesday), Gantz is expected to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. From Washington, he will travel to London. The Israeli embassy in the UK as also been instructed not to facilitate he visit.
