Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has opted to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress. Instead, she is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at Zeta Phi Beta sorority's Grand Boulé in Indianapolis. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from both Republicans and Israeli officials, who view her absence as a snub to a key ally.
Fox News Digital confirmed on Tuesday that Harris declined to preside over Netanyahu's Wednesday joint address to Congress due to a previously scheduled event in Indiana. The vice president's public schedule confirms her commitment to the sorority event, raising eyebrows among political observers and opponents alike.
Republican leaders were quick to criticize Harris's decision. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., expressed his outrage, stating, "It is outrageous to me and inexcusable that Kamala Harris is boycotting the speech. This is a historic moment, it's an important moment for the country, the gravity of the situation cannot be overstated, and yet, Kamala Harris will abandon her seat." Johnson's comments reflect a broader sentiment among GOP members who see her absence as a failure to support an important ally.
Israeli officials echoed similar sentiments. According to the UK newspaper The Telegraph, unnamed Israeli officials described Harris's decision as a sign of her inability to "distinguish between good and evil." They criticized her absence as "not a way to treat an ally," further straining the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
Despite the backlash, the White House confirmed that both Harris and President Biden will meet with Netanyahu separately on Thursday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden will discuss "developments in Gaza and progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal and the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security, including countering Iran's threats to Israel and the broader region." After their meeting, Biden and Netanyahu will join families of Americans held hostage by Hamas.
Jean-Pierre also confirmed Harris's private meeting with Netanyahu, where she is expected to "underscore her commitment to ensure Israel can defend itself from threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias, including Lebanese Hezbollah and Hamas." Harris will also address her "deep concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the loss of innocent life."
Outside the Capitol, demonstrators are planning significant protests against Netanyahu's visit amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In response, Speaker Johnson has implemented a "zero-tolerance policy" for disturbances within the Capitol. "It is our tradition to acknowledge every guest speaker's right to free expression even if we disagree with their viewpoint," Johnson wrote to members on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for order during the address.
Harris's decision to skip Netanyahu's address comes at a critical time in her campaign. She has quickly solidified her position as the Democratic frontrunner, raising $100 million in donations since President Biden's announcement to withdraw from the race. Her campaign has gained endorsements from prominent Democratic figures, including Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
On Tuesday, Harris held her first campaign rally in Milwaukee, marking the start of an intense campaign period with just over 100 days until Election Day. The rally followed the Republican National Convention in the same city, where former President Trump secured the GOP nomination.
