Harris declines to label Netanyahu as an 'ally'
Vice President Kamala Harris stated that the United States’ loyalties are with the Israeli people instead of their leadership. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Israeli leader’s disregard for American advice has fueled frustration in Washington.
US Vice President Kamala Harris has declined to clarify whether she views Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “close ally,” especially after he disregarded her administration's calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
In a '60 Minutes' interview scheduled to air on CBS News this Sunday night, Harris was questioned about how the US can provide Israel with billions in military aid while seemingly exercising “no sway” over Netanyahu.
After a lengthy response in which she contended that the US has moved Netanyahu closer to ending his ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, Harris was pressed again about whether the US considers Netanyahu a “real close ally.”
“I think, with all due respect, the better question is do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people,” she replied. “And the answer to that question is yes.”
Since taking on the role of Democratic presidential candidate in July, Harris has faced criticism from both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian factions within her party regarding her stance on Israel. In an effort to appease both sides, she endorsed the idea of an independent Palestinian state at the Democratic National Convention in August, immediately followed by a promise to continue arms and ammunition support for Israel.
Netanyahu, reportedly favoring Donald Trump in the upcoming US presidential election, has had multiple discussions with Biden and Harris since commencing military action against Hamas last October. Following these talks, both Biden and Harris asserted that the Israeli leader was moving towards a ceasefire, only for Netanyahu to return to Israel and reaffirm his commitment to continue waging war.
Most recently, Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire plan proposed by the US and France, but reversed his decision just before it was finalized, ordering the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, according to American and other Western officials last month. Just two days later, he defied US requests for de-escalation by deploying ground troops into Lebanon, and on Tuesday, he pledged to make Iran “pay for” a missile attack on Israel, despite US officials urging caution to prevent a wider regional conflict.
“Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know,” Biden remarked to reporters on Friday, following this with a reminder for the Israeli leader. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none,” he emphasized. “And I think [Netanyahu] should remember that.”
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
US Vice President Kamala Harris has declined to clarify whether she views Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “close ally,” especially after he disregarded her administration's calls for a ceasefire in Lebanon.
In a '60 Minutes' interview scheduled to air on CBS News this Sunday night, Harris was questioned about how the US can provide Israel with billions in military aid while seemingly exercising “no sway” over Netanyahu.
After a lengthy response in which she contended that the US has moved Netanyahu closer to ending his ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, Harris was pressed again about whether the US considers Netanyahu a “real close ally.”
“I think, with all due respect, the better question is do we have an important alliance between the American people and the Israeli people,” she replied. “And the answer to that question is yes.”
Since taking on the role of Democratic presidential candidate in July, Harris has faced criticism from both pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian factions within her party regarding her stance on Israel. In an effort to appease both sides, she endorsed the idea of an independent Palestinian state at the Democratic National Convention in August, immediately followed by a promise to continue arms and ammunition support for Israel.
Netanyahu, reportedly favoring Donald Trump in the upcoming US presidential election, has had multiple discussions with Biden and Harris since commencing military action against Hamas last October. Following these talks, both Biden and Harris asserted that the Israeli leader was moving towards a ceasefire, only for Netanyahu to return to Israel and reaffirm his commitment to continue waging war.
Most recently, Netanyahu agreed to a ceasefire plan proposed by the US and France, but reversed his decision just before it was finalized, ordering the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, according to American and other Western officials last month. Just two days later, he defied US requests for de-escalation by deploying ground troops into Lebanon, and on Tuesday, he pledged to make Iran “pay for” a missile attack on Israel, despite US officials urging caution to prevent a wider regional conflict.
“Whether he’s trying to influence the election, I don’t know,” Biden remarked to reporters on Friday, following this with a reminder for the Israeli leader. “No administration has helped Israel more than I have. None, none, none,” he emphasized. “And I think [Netanyahu] should remember that.”
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
