Trump slams Harris for ‘insulting’ meeting with Netanyahu

Former President Trump is stepping up his attacks on Vice President Harris over Israel, criticizing her for what he calls an insulting meeting with that country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel and Gaza are quickly emerging as a central issue in the expected presidential race between Trump and Harris, with Netanyahu’s high-profile visit to Washington and scrutiny from both parties and the outside world over whether Harris will represent a new path in American politics compared to President Biden.

Trump criticized Kamala Harris for not attending Netanyahu’s speech to a joint session of Congress this week. Harris had a scheduling conflict, and Trump’s running mate, Ohio Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, did not attend the speech for similar scheduling reasons.

He reiterated his criticism in an article published Saturday on Truth Social, while also saying that the meeting between Harris and Netanyahu this week was insulting.

“Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had a terrible and “insulting” meeting in Washington with Kamala Harris, who also refused to preside over Congress during his speech, which is a Vice Presidential duty,” Trump wrote.

Vice presidents will often preside over speeches during joint sessions of Congress, but they are under no obligation to do so.

Trump claimed that Harris’s “incompetence” would delay the release of hostages held by Hamas while prolonging the war, and then criticized Harris for the Biden administration’s handling of Afghanistan.

Trump also said that “any Jewish person who votes for Kamala or any Democrat should immediately have their head examined.”

Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish. Trump has been criticized in the past for similar statements suggesting that entire ethnic and religious groups should vote for a specific party.

Harris met with Netanyahu on Thursday, urging him to reach a deal that would end the war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands.

In her public statements, the vice president has defended Israel’s right to self-defense, but has also made clear that it must take steps to reduce harm to civilians. A number of outside observers have noted a shift in these comments, at least in their thrust, from President Biden’s previous statements.

“I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating: Israel has the right to defend itself, but how it does it matters,” Harris said, saying she had discussed with Netanyahu “the magnitude of the human suffering in Gaza, including the deaths of far too many innocent civilians.”

“What has happened in Gaza over the last nine months is devastating,” Harris said. “The images of dead children and desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third, or fourth time. We cannot look away from these tragedies. We cannot afford to become numb to the suffering, and I will not remain silent.”

Biden has seen the Democratic Party deeply divided over the issue of Israel’s war in Gaza. More than 100,000 voters in the key swing state of Michigan cast “noncommittal” ballots in this year’s primary, a move intended to send a message of dissatisfaction with the president’s handling of the issue.

Mr. Netanyahu met separately with Mr. Biden this week and with Mr. Trump on Friday in Florida. He told reporters outside Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence that he wanted to see U.S.-mediated negotiations lead to a cease-fire and the release of the hostages.

“I hope so,” Netanyahu said when asked by reporters whether there had been any progress on his trip to the United States.

Axios reported Friday that Netanyahu was upset by Harris’ on-camera statement after their meeting, citing an Israeli official who briefed reporters.

Two Israeli officials said that while the meeting was not tense or difficult, the tone of his statement after the meeting was harsher, Axios reported.

Former national security adviser John Bolton, who served under Trump but has since become a vocal critic, said Netanyahu should be concerned about Harris’ behavior and remarks.

“She was very icy in her demeanor, she showed strong discipline and her words were a clear signal,” Bolton told CNN on Friday.

Democrats in Congress have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu, with dozens boycotting the speech this week.