Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, but it matters how it does it.
This was made clear by the likely presidential candidate Kamala Harris after her meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Even the outgoing president, Joe Biden, had a separate meeting with Netanyahu, but it was only Harris who afterwards spoke to reporters about her meeting. Some analysts interpret what she said as indicating that she will take a tougher stance towards Israel than Biden.
She condemned Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7 last year as horrific and the abuses and murders that Hamas committed as outrageous.
Deeply concerned
She also said that she had expressed deep concern to Netanyahu about the enormous suffering in Gaza, the many civilian deaths, and the extremely pressing humanitarian situation there. She mentioned images of dead children and people who, time and again, hungry and desperate, are forced to flee from battles anew.
We cannot look away when it comes to these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become indifferent to the suffering, and I will not remain silent, said Harris, who is soon expected to be appointed as the Democratic presidential candidate after Joe Biden's decision not to run for re-election.
Israel has the right to defend itself, and how it does it matters, said Harris.
Time to make amends
She said that she had told them that it is time for Israel and Hamas to quickly agree on a ceasefire and then gradually consolidate it to put an end to the war and suffering for civilians, to free hostages, and to guarantee Israel's security and pave the way for a two-state solution.
According to Harris' statement, it was a meeting with a straight and constructive tone.
