Israeli Officials Criticize Harris’ Call for End to Gaza War
A heated diplomatic row has erupted after Israeli officials condemned US Senator Kamala Harris’ call for an immediate end to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza.
Senator Harris, a prominent Democratic Party leader and Presidential hopeful, expressed her concerns about the escalating violence in a Twitter post yesterday, stating that the current situation "must end immediately" and calling for a "balanced and immediate ceasefire".
In response, Israeli government officials and lawmakers reacted with fierce criticism, accusing the California Senator of being "out of touch" with reality and placing undue pressure on Israel to cease fire without a corresponding halt in attacks from Gaza.
"The situation in Gaza is a complex one, with terrorism and rockets being fired at Israel on a daily basis," said an Israeli government spokesperson. "Senator Harris’ call for an immediate ceasefire only serves to undermine Israel’s right to self-defense and will only embolden Hamas and other extremist groups."
Israel’s ambassador to the US, Ron Dermer, also weighed in, stating that Senator Harris’ statement was "utterly unacceptable" and that "we expect the United States to stand unequivocally with Israel in our quest for peace and security".
The Israeli foreign ministry further issued a statement, slamming Senator Harris’ comments as "insensitive and uninformed" and threatening to reassess the country’s diplomatic ties with the US if such comments continue to be made.
Meanwhile, some Israeli lawmakers have even called for Senator Harris to be denied access to the country if she continues to advocate for an immediate end to the conflict.
It is not the first time that a high-profile US politician has faced backlash from Israeli officials for criticizing the country’s military actions. Last year, Senator Harris’ Democratic colleague, Bernie Sanders, faced criticism from Israeli officials for a statement expressing support for the US Palestinians’ rights movement.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 100 Palestinians and several Israelis, with both sides trading rockets and airstrikes. International pressure has mounted on both sides to cease hostilities and return to negotiations, but as yet, no resolution has been achieved.
In a rare show of dissent, a handful of Israeli lawmakers and security experts have publicly criticized their government’s handling of the conflict, suggesting that a more measured approach could reduce the harm and suffering on all sides.
The diplomatic row serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious relationship between the US and Israel, with each side frequently issuing public criticisms and counter-criticisms on a range of issues from military action to settlement expansion. As the situation in Gaza continues to simmer, it remains to be seen whether Senator Harris’ comments will have any tangible impact on the diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides back to the negotiating table.