Former President Trump is intensifying his attacks on Vice President Harris in Israel, blaming her for what he says was an insulting meeting with that country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel and Gaza are quickly emerging as a central issue in the expected presidential race between Trump and Harris, with Netanyahu’s high-profile visit to Washington and scrutiny from both parties and the outside world over whether Harris will represent a new path in politics. of the USA compared to President Biden.
Trump criticized Harris for not attending Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress this week. Harris had a scheduling conflict, and Trump’s running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), also did not attend the speech for similar scheduling reasons.
He doubled down on those criticisms in a Saturday post on Truth Social, while also arguing that Harris and Netanyahu’s meeting this week was an insult.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel had a terrible and “insulting” meeting in DC with Kamala Harris, who also refused to preside over Congress during her speech, which is an obligation of the Vice President,” Trump wrote.
Vice presidents often preside over speeches at joint sessions of Congress, but there is no obligation to do so.
Trump argued that Harris’s “ineptitude” would delay the release of hostages held by Hamas while prolonging the war, and then criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s handling of Afghanistan.
Trump also said that “any Jew who votes for Kamala, or a Democrat, should have their head examined immediately.”
Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. Trump has faced criticism in the past for similar statements suggesting that entire ethnic and religious groups should vote for a specific party.
Harris met with Netanyahu on Thursday, urging him to reach a deal that would end the war in Gaza, which has left tens of thousands dead.
The vice president, in her public remarks, defended Israel’s right to self-defense, but also made clear that it must take measures to reduce harm to civilians. Several outside observers noted a change in these comments, at least in their emphasis, from President Biden’s previous comments.
“I have said this many times, but it bears repeating: Israel has the right to defend itself, but how it does so is important,” Harris said, saying she mentioned with Netanyahu “the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of many innocent civilians.”
“What has happened in Gaza over the last nine months is devastating,” Harris said. “The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time. We cannot look away from these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to suffering and I will not remain silent.”
Biden saw the Democratic Party very divided over Israel’s war in Gaza. More than 100,000 voters in the key swing state of Michigan voted “uncommitted” in this year’s primary, in a move intended to send a message of discontent over the president’s handling of the issue.
Netanyahu met separately with Biden this week and with Trump in Florida on Friday. He told reporters outside the meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate that he wanted to see the success of U.S.-brokered negotiations for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
“I hope so,” Netanyahu said, when reporters asked if his trip to the US had progressed.
Axes reported on Friday that Netanyahu was upset by Harris’ on-camera statement after the meeting, citing an Israeli official who briefed reporters.
Two Israeli officials said that while the meeting was not tense or difficult, the tone of their statement after the meeting was harsher, Axios reported.
Former national security adviser John Bolton, who served in the Trump administration but has since become an outspoken critic, said Netanyahu should be concerned about Harris’ behavior and comments.
“She was very cool in her behavior, showed strong discipline and her words were a clear signal,” Bolton said on CNN on Friday.
Democrats in Congress have been increasingly critical of Netanyahu, with dozens of people boycotting his speech this week.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
