Kamala Harris says she 'will not be silent' on Gaza after tough talks with Benjamin Netanyahu

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29 July, 2024


 

Kamala Harris has signalled a major shift in US Gaza policy, with the presidential hopeful reportedly pressing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire deal while insisting she would not be "silent" on the suffering in Gaza. Ripping up outgoing President Joe Biden's playbook of mostly behind-the-scenes pressure on Israel, the vice president yesterday told reporters after meeting Netanyahu that it was time to end the "devastating" war. Harris -- now the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after Joe Biden last weekend said he would not stand in November's election -- said she pressed Netanyahu on the dire situation in the "frank" meeting. She also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state and went on to call on both Netanyahu and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire and captives release deal. There has been speculation that Harris could adopt a tougher approach on Israel if she wins the November presidential election.