Kamala Harris meets with Benjamin Netanyahu for more talks on Hamas war

Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a high-stakes sit-down that has taken on new meaning since she became the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. 

“I look forward to our conversation. We have a lot to talk about,” Ms. Harris told Mr. Netanyahu to kick off their meeting, which took place at the Old Executive Office Building on the White House complex.

“We do indeed,” Mr. Netanyahu responded. 

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Earlier Thursday, Mr. Netanyahu met in the Oval Office with President Biden and the two leaders also sat down with the families of American hostages. 

Ms. Harris missed Mr. Netanyahu’s speech before a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, choosing instead to attend a previously scheduled speech in Indianapolis. Typically, the vice president presides over joint addresses. 

An administration official previewing Ms. Harris’s meeting with the Israeli prime minister said she has been very engaged in the Israel-Hamas conflict since it started in October. The official said Ms. Harris has participated in every call with Mr. Netanyahu, as well as critical meetings like those with hostage families.

Ms. Harris was expected to underscore Israel’s need to defend itself, but also press Mr. Netanyahu about ending the war, securing the release of all hostages and ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

While Ms. Harris has been working alongside Mr. Biden, she may soon stake out her own position on Israel and other issues. It’s unclear if she will follow in Mr. Biden’s path on sending weapons to Israel, although he had halted other weapon shipments in protest of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Despite the uncertainly about her position on Israel, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff on Wednesday made a surprise appearance on a Zoom call hosted by the Jewish Democratic Council of America and Jewish Women for Kamala.

Mr. Emhoff, who is Jewish, told the groups that Ms. Harris “has been and will be a strong supporter of Israel” and “will always ensure that Israel can defend itself, period.” 

Ms. Harris did condemn the antisemitic protests that broke out near Capitol Hill Wednesday. 

“Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation,” she said.