Kamala Harris says she is not concerned about talks by Trump and Netanyahu
28/10/2024 5:54
U.S. Vice President
Kamala Harris said on Sunday she was not concerned about talks
between former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, and reiterated her positions on the conflict
in the Middle East.
Democratic presidential candidate Harris faces Republican
Trump in a tight race for the Nov. 5 U.S. elections.
"No," Harris said when asked if talks between Trump and
Netanyahu could undermine what the current U.S. government is
trying to achieve.
Trump and Netanyahu have spoken on a few occasions in recent
weeks. They had close ties when Trump was president as the U.S.
moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which delighted
Israelis and infuriated Palestinians.
"I do believe that it is critically important that we as the
United States of America be an active participant in encouraging
one, that this war ends, that we get the hostages out but also
that there is a real commitment among nations to a two-state
solution and the 'day after' (in Gaza)," Harris told reporters
on Sunday.
President Joe Biden has supported Israel during its wars in
Gaza and Lebanon after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas' Oct. 7,
2023, attack that sparked the latest bloodshed in the
decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Harris and Trump have
pledged to maintain U.S. support for its ally.
In the Oct. 7, 2023, attack, about 1,200 were killed and
nearly 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's
subsequent assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed around
43,000, according to Gaza's health ministry. It has displaced
nearly everyone in Gaza, caused a hunger crisis and led to
genocide allegations at the World Court that Israel denies.
Israel's separate campaign in Lebanon has killed over 2,500
and displaced over a million. Israel says it is targeting
Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, who have been engaged in
cross-border fire with Israel for the past year.
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