By Steve Holland and Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday at a White Home assembly that was carefully watched for indicators of how she may shift American coverage about Israel if she turns into president.
Hours earlier, President Joe Biden pressed for a ceasefire to the 9-month-old battle in Gaza in his first face-to-face talks with Netanyahu because the president traveled to Israel days after Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel and pledged American assist.
“We’ve got loads to speak about,” Harris stated in greeting Netanyahu, echoing Biden nearly word-for-word when he met the Israeli chief individually earlier within the day.
“We do certainly,” Netanyahu instructed her.
One of many first excessive profile U.S. leaders to name for a ceasefire, Harris was anticipated to carefully observe the administration line, a U.S. official stated, specializing in the plight of Palestinians whereas additionally supporting Israel’s proper to self-defense.
White Home nationwide safety spokesperson John Kirby (NYSE:) stated gaps stay between Israel and the Hamas militants who run the Palestinian enclave within the drive for a ceasefire however “we’re nearer now than we have been earlier than.”
“Each side need to make compromises,” Kirby stated.
State Division spokesperson Matt Miller stated: “I believe the message from the American aspect in that assembly will probably be that we have to get this deal over the road.”
The go to coincides with a shift in American politics. On Sunday, Biden, 81, stepped other than the U.S. presidential race below strain from fellow Democrats and endorsed Harris for the celebration’s 2024 presidential nomination.
“We have loads to speak about,” Biden stated when he welcomed Netanyahu to the Oval Workplace.
“I need to thanks for 50 years of public service and 50 years of assist for the state of Israel,” Netanyahu instructed Biden.
The White Home was ringed with additional safety fencing to guard towards protesters on Thursday.
Biden and Netanyahu earlier met along with the households of American hostages held by Hamas. Representatives for the households instructed reporters after the assembly that they have been hoping for a ceasefire deal that will deliver the hostages residence.
“We got here right this moment with a way of urgency,” stated Jonathan Dekel-Chen. He stated they have been extra optimistic of a deal because the first launch of Israeli hostages from a earlier ceasefire.
STRAINS IN BIDEN-NETANYAHU RELATIONS
Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have been strained for months over Israel’s Gaza offensive through which greater than 39,000 folks have been killed, in keeping with well being officers in Gaza.
The U.S. is a significant arms provider to Israel and has protected the nation from crucial United Nations votes.
Whether or not Biden, who’s now a “lame duck” president, a time period used for officers who will not serve one other time period, or Harris, who’s tied in lots of election polls with Republican rival Donald Trump, can have any affect on Netanyahu stays to be seen.
On Friday, Netanyahu travels to Florida to satisfy Trump.
Harris has been aligned with Biden on Israel however has struck a harder tone.
The battle started on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing 1,200 folks. Israel launched a retaliatory assault.
Hamas-led fighters took 250 captives on Oct. 7, in keeping with Israeli tallies. Some 120 hostages are nonetheless being held although Israel believes one in three are lifeless.
DEFIANT SPEECH
On Wednesday, Netanyahu gave a defiant speech to the U.S. Congress through which he defended Israel’s assaults on Gaza, saying anti-Israel protesters “must be ashamed of themselves.”
The Gaza battle has splintered the Democratic Occasion, and sparked months of protests at Biden occasions. A drop in assist amongst Arab-People may damage Democratic possibilities in Michigan, one in all a handful of states more likely to determine the Nov. 5 election.
Biden’s want for unity within the celebration within the drive to defeat Trump was cited on Wednesday night time in an Oval Workplace handle as a essential purpose why he determined to not search reelection however to as a substitute assist Harris for the 2024 race.
Negotiations on a long-sought ceasefire-for-hostages deal within the Gaza battle seem like of their closing levels, a senior U.S. official stated on Wednesday.
U.S. officers have made related pledges earlier than a couple of ceasefire which evaporated below last-minute variations.