Amid friction with Israel's leadership, Vice President Kamala Harris dodged a question about whether she considers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “true close ally.”
“With all due respect, I think a better question would be, is there a significant alliance between the American people and the Israeli people? The answer to that question is yes,” Harris told CBS' “60 Minutes.'' '' in a preview clip.
Since the Hamas massacre that killed 1,200 Israelis on October 7, 2023, the Harris-Biden administration has found itself at times at odds with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over its response.
In an effort to avoid a broader and longer war, Harris and President Biden have pushed back against certain Israeli military operations in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip and called for a cease-fire.
Days after Biden withdrew from the 2024 campaign, Harris, 59, met with Netanyahu, 74, and emphasized the plight of the Palestinian people, speaking publicly: ”
Mr Biden, 81, has repeatedly clashed with Prime Minister Netanyahu and warned US allies against invading Gaza's southern city of Rafah without a proper plan for civilians.
Mr. Biden declared at the United Nations last month that “innocent civilians in Gaza are going through hell,” and during his first appearance in the White House briefing room last Friday, he told reporters that Prime Minister Netanyahu ” “I don't know if they are trying to influence the world,” he said.
Harris has largely imitated Biden on the Israel-Hamas war in dealing with progressive backlash, but is concerned about whether Netanyahu will listen to the U.S. and that the U.S. still has “influence” over its allies. He also questioned whether he had it.
“The work we have done has led to a lot of movements by Israel in the region. They are very much due to many things, including our advocacy for what needs to happen in the region It was prompted or a result of it,” she said in response. The question is whether Prime Minister Netanyahu will listen to the US.
She also reiterated long-standing demands for a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Notably, the past three presidents have clashed with Netanyahu, who has served as prime minister for most of the past 15 years.
Former President Barack Obama has a famous story. hot mic mistake Regarding Israeli opponents. Former President Donald Trump accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of backing out at the last minute of the attack that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
Harris' interview on “60 Minutes” will be aired as part of a campaign special on Monday. The show also called on Trump to sit in, but the two sides could not reach an agreement.
The Trump campaign then publicly criticized CBS News, demanding that it apologize for a “fact check” that reporter Leslie Stahl made in a 2020 interview that alluded to the paper's bombshell Hunter Biden laptop story. “Can't confirm.”
