Former President Donald Trump has intensified his critique of Vice President Kamala Harris over her recent handling of U.S.-Israel relations, particularly regarding her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has accused Harris of showing disrespect during her meeting with Netanyahu and criticized her absence from his address to a joint session of Congress, attributing it to a scheduling conflict. Trump’s own running mate, Senator JD Vance (R-Ohio), also missed the address for similar reasons.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump described the meeting between Harris and Netanyahu as “terrible” and “insulting,” criticizing Harris for not fulfilling her ceremonial role as presiding officer over Netanyahu’s speech. Despite this, it is worth noting that the Vice President is not required by law to preside over every joint session speech.
Trump has also asserted that Harris’s perceived ineptitude could hinder negotiations for the release of hostages held by Hamas and prolong the conflict in Gaza. He criticized Harris’s and the Biden administration’s handling of international affairs, drawing a parallel with their actions in Afghanistan. Trump’s rhetoric extended to suggesting that Jewish voters who support Democrats should reconsider their choices, a comment that has sparked controversy given that Harris’s husband is Jewish.
In her remarks following the meeting, Harris defended Israel’s right to self-defense but emphasized the need for measures to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza. She voiced concern over the humanitarian crisis in the region and called for an end to the suffering of innocent civilians. Her comments have been interpreted by some observers as a shift from the Biden administration’s previous stance, reflecting growing tensions within the Democratic Party over the U.S. response to the conflict.
This criticism comes amidst a politically charged atmosphere, with over 100,000 voters in Michigan registering as “uncommitted” in the primary to signal dissatisfaction with Biden’s approach to the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu, who also met with Biden and Trump separately, expressed hope for successful U.S.-mediated negotiations, although reports suggest he was displeased with the tone of Harris’s post-meeting statement.
Former national security adviser John Bolton, once an ally of Trump, has commented on Harris’s demeanor during the meeting, suggesting it was notably frosty and conveyed a clear message.
The current political landscape highlights a significant divide, with Democrats increasingly critical of Netanyahu and some members choosing to boycott important addresses, reflecting broader party divisions on foreign policy.