During a gathering at his Florida residence, Donald Trump rebuked Kamala Harris for her perceived lack of respect regarding the Gaza conflict while hosting Benjamin Netanyahu and dismissing rumors of discord between them.
The former US president warmly received the Israeli prime minister at his luxurious Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, marking their first encounter since September 2020.
Following reports of strained relations after Netanyahu congratulated Joe Biden on his 2020 election victory, which Trump baselessly claimed was illegitimate, the atmosphere seemed jovial between the two leaders on Friday, with Trump affirming their strong bond and denying any prior animosity.
In a statement, the Trump campaign mentioned that Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Trump for his efforts to promote stability in the region during his tenure.
Donald Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago. Pic: AP
Furthermore, Trump pledged unwavering support for Israel to Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago, promising to work towards Middle East peace and combat anti-Semitic activities on college campuses if re-elected.
Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump followed discussions with Vice President Kamala Harris, during which she asserted her commitment to addressing the hardships in Gaza without ignoring Israel’s right to self-defense.
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Harris on ‘dire’ Gaza suffering
Expressing his opinion on Harris’ statements, Trump deemed them disrespectful, while Netanyahu hoped that his visit to the US would expedite the achievement of a ceasefire agreement.
In his address to Congress, Netanyahu commended Trump for his pro-Israel stance and vowed to secure victory in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister’s Controversial Move
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An Error in Strategic Diplomacy
Following the victory of Mr. Biden in the 2020 US presidential election, Mr. Netanyahu extended his congratulations to him and Ms. Harris. He mentioned their longstanding personal relationship of almost four decades and labeled Biden as a strong ally of Israel.
These comments did not sit well with Mr. Trump, who felt slighted by the Israeli Prime Minister’s statements. Trump expressed his disappointment by saying “nobody has supported Bibi as I have,” indicating that Netanyahu had made a grave error in his judgment.
Image Source: AP
However, tensions seemed to ease after Mr. Netanyahu commended Mr. Trump during his address to Congress. The former President acknowledged this gesture on the show ‘Fox and Friends’.
Encouraging Netanyahu to swiftly conclude the conflict with Hamas, Trump emphasized the importance of effective public messaging for Israel’s international image.
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Engaging Diplomatic Efforts
Vice President Harris, probable Democratic presidential candidate, voiced her reservations in a meeting with Mr. Netanyahu at the White House, emphasizing the need to address pressing concerns.
She stressed the importance of not turning a blind eye to humanitarian crises and highlighted her determination to speak out against injustice.
Mr. Netanyahu announced plans to dispatch a delegation to Rome for discussions on a possible ceasefire with CIA director Bill Burns, who is scheduled to meet with Qatari and Egyptian officials this Sunday.
