KAMALA HARRIS
Harris met with the Israeli politician in Washington this Monday (4).
Per Estadão content MARCH 5, 2024 at 3:21 p.m
Kamala HarrisAFP
US Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her “deep concern” about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and called on the terrorist group Hamas to accept ceasefire conditions in a meeting with Benny Gantz, a member of Israel's War Cabinet and rival of Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris met with the Israeli politician in Washington this Monday (4).
At the meeting, he “urged Israel to take action” to increase the flow of aid to the famineprone area, according to a statement released by the White House. He also welcomed “the constructive approach” of the Israeli authorities in the ongoing negotiations for the release of hostages held in Gaza, which is expected to lead to a temporary cessation of hostilities with the terrorist group Hamas.
The Democrat “called on Hamas to accept the conditions on the table for the release of the hostages, which would lead to an immediate sixweek ceasefire and allow an increase in humanitarian aid.”
The visit to Washington by Gantz, the former defense minister, member of the war cabinet and political rival of Netanyahu, has repercussions in Israel. While Gantz holds many of the same hardline views as Netanyahu, the centrist politician is seen as more willing to compromise on critical issues, including increasing the delivery of humanitarian aid.
White House officials said Gantz was the one who requested the meeting and that the Biden administration believed it was important for Harris to meet with the Israeli official, despite Netanyahu's objections.
“We are dealing with all members of the War Cabinet, including Secretary Gantz,” and his arrival “is a natural continuation of those discussions,” White House spokesman John Kirby said.
“A member of the War Cabinet wants to come to the United States, wants to talk to us about the evolution of the conflict, gives us the opportunity to discuss the importance of increasing humanitarian aid and reaching an agreement on the hostages. “We’re not going to deprive ourselves of that opportunity,” Kirby said. (With international agencies).