Trump Criticizes Kamala Harris Over Israel-Hamas Comments During Netanyahu Meeting

Trump Critiques Kamala Harris’ Remarks on Israel-Hamas War

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has openly criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for what he described as ‘disrespectful’ comments regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. His remarks were made during a gathering at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, where he engaged in discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking their first direct encounter in four years.

Trump did not hold back, stating, “She’s a radical left person. San Francisco, destroyed San Francisco. She’s really a destroyer. She doesn’t know how to build.” He further added, “I think her remarks were disrespectful. They weren’t very nice pertaining to Israel. I actually don’t know how a person who’s Jewish can vote for her, but that’s up to them.”

During a meeting at the White House on Thursday, Netanyahu had discussions with outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris, primarily focusing on the ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza. Following her meeting with Netanyahu, Harris expressed her concerns over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, emphasizing, “I will not be silent.”

When asked if her comments might affect the negotiations for a ceasefire, Netanyahu responded, “I think to the extent that Hamas understands that there’s no daylight between Israel and the United States, that expedites the deal. And I hope that those comments don’t change that.”

As the Democratic Party gears up for the November presidential race, Harris has garnered sufficient support among delegates to secure her nomination. However, the official confirmation will only occur at the national convention in Chicago next week.

Harris spoke candidly about her “unwavering commitment” to Israel’s existence, asserting the country’s right to self-defense while stressing, “how it does so matters.” This has raised significant questions regarding how U.S. support for Israel might evolve under a potential Harris presidency.

White House officials indicated on Thursday that the long-stalled ceasefire negotiations are nearing completion, although several critical issues remain unresolved. Netanyahu expressed Israel’s eagerness to conclude the nine-month war in Gaza, but when asked about the proximity of a deal, he replied, “I think time will tell.”

The conflict escalated following a Hamas incursion into Israel on October 7, which resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 1,200 lives, predominantly civilians, alongside around 250 individuals kidnapped and taken to Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces’ operations in Gaza have led to catastrophic consequences, with estimates indicating that at least 38,000 Palestinians have lost their lives and roughly 80% of the population displaced, often multiple times. The destruction has been extensive, with at least 62% of all homes in Gaza reported as destroyed. The United Nations and the World Bank estimate that the costs to rebuild the region could reach around $18 billion (€16 billion).

Trump, who is the Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election, met with Netanyahu in an effort to mend a significant political alliance that had been strained after Netanyahu publicly congratulated Biden on his 2020 electoral victory over Trump. However, Trump dismissed any notions that the relationship had suffered a setback, stating, “It was never bad, I would say it was always good. No president has done what I’ve done for Israel and we’ve always had a very good relationship.”