1 month ago
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US Vice President
Kamala Harris
, who is now the presumed Democratic presidential nominee following
President Joe Biden
's withdrawal from the race, has chosen not to preside over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu
's address to Congress, although she plans to meet with him separately during his visit to the US.
Harris' decision has drawn criticism from Israeli ministers, who expressed disappointment at her decision.
An Israeli official said that Harris ditching Netanyahu's speech during such difficult war with "
Iran
and its terror proxies is disappointing.”
“The free world cannot afford leaders who are unable to distinguish between good and evil,” the source told Telegraph.
Netanyahu will be speaking to members of Congress during a joint address on Wednesday after being invited by the bipartisan leaders of both chambers back in May.
As per Harris aide, she will be attending the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Grand Boule in Indianapolis, Ind., which is a biennial international conference, per a White House official.in Indiana which was previously scheduled at the time of Israeli PM's address to the Congress. '
With Harris's absence, the task ordinarily would fall to Senate President pro tempore Patty Murray, D-Wash., but Murray reportedly refused to do so – and will instead be boycotting the address.
In the absence of both Harris and Murray, the session will instead be presided over by Senator Ben Cardin, D-Md., who is retiring after this Congress, reported Fox News.
While she won't be there, an aide emphasized that Harris' absence and refusal to preside shouldn't be considered a change to her stance on Israel.
An aide to the vice president told Fox News Digital that she would be meeting with Netanyahu at the White House this week while he is in Washington, D.C. They noted that the meeting is separate from Biden’s planned meeting with the prime minister.
During her meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Vice President Harris plans to reaffirm the United States' support for Israel's right to protect its citizens from threats posed by Iran and its affiliated militant organizations, including the terrorist groups Hizbullah and Hamas. The vice president's aide mentioned that Harris will again denounce the assault on Israeli civilians by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, as well as the incidents of sexual violence that occurred during the attack.
Additionally, Harris intends to voice her previously expressed worries about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where the majority of the conflict is concentrated. She is anticipated to emphasize the need for a swift resolution to the war that ensures Israel's security, the liberation of all captives, and the restoration of civilian rights in Gaza. In particular, the vice president will engage in discussions with Netanyahu regarding potential strategies for achieving a ceasefire agreement.
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