As Netanyahu Visits Washington, Kamala Harris Navigates Diplomatic Sensitivities on Israel and Gaza

One of the key points of intrigue surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington this week is the nature of his reception from the White House and from key figures like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

As of Monday, no meetings between Netanyahu and either Biden or Harris had been confirmed, despite Netanyahu’s departure for the US. On Wednesday, Netanyahu is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress, an event organized at the request of House leader Mike Johnson, a Republican.

It appears that Harris will not attend the congressional address, as she will be out of Washington for a public event in Indiana. Late on Monday, Harris’s aide confirmed that both she and Biden would meet with Netanyahu separately at the White House and emphasized that Harris’s absence from the congressional session does not signify a shift in her stance on Israel.

Netanyahu had hoped to use his visit to strengthen his political credentials and maintain ties with Democrats, anticipating a possible shift in the political landscape with the upcoming election. The potential disjointed reception might hinder these efforts.

Insiders suggest that Harris may be more outspoken in her critique of Netanyahu compared to Biden, particularly regarding the humanitarian impact of the conflict in Gaza. This contrasts with Biden’s more traditional support for Israel, including ongoing military aid.

“The generational difference between Biden and Harris is significant,” noted Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of the liberal pro-Israel lobbying group J Street. “Harris’s approach may reflect a greater recognition of Palestinian concerns and rights.”

Harris has previously called for a ceasefire and criticized the humanitarian situation in Gaza, while also maintaining a pro-Israel stance. An aide reaffirmed that her commitment to Israel’s security remains unchanged despite her absence from the congressional address.

Former U.S. Ambassador Ivo Daalder highlighted Harris’s role in advocating for the humanitarian impact of the conflict, though she has not publicly diverged from administration decisions. Critics from within the Democratic Party have expressed concerns that Harris may not offer a significant departure from current policies.

Foreign policy experts suggest that while Harris might adopt a more empathetic rhetorical approach towards Palestinians, her policies will likely align closely with those of Biden. “Expect a sharper tone and greater sympathy for Palestinian rights, but with similar constraints and policies as Biden,” said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

European diplomats also anticipate that Harris’s policies will be influenced by her advisers, including Phil Gordon, her national security adviser. Ultimately, much of the upcoming week will center on political optics as Netanyahu seeks to bolster his standing both in Israel and within U.S. politics.