VP Harris meets with Israeli war Cabinet member Benny Gantz

Vice President Kamala Harris can't list much in the way of accomplishments during her time in the White House.

That's why it was shocking to many to see that the White House dispatched her to meet with a member of Israel’s wartime Cabinet in the administration's push to get more humanitarian aid to Gaza as the war rages on.

Harris met with Benny Gantz on Monday in Washington. The Associated Press described Gantz as "a centrist political rival of Netanyahu."

Gantz reportedly requested the meeting with the Biden administration, which the Biden administration agreed was a good thing, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's objections.

The Biden administration, which says it still backs Israel's right to defend itself, has been at odds with factions of the Democratic Party that believe President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris haven't done enough to ensure that a ceasefire happens sooner than later.

Harris provided reporters with brief remarks before her meeting with Gantz on Monday.

"The president and I have been aligned and consistent from the very beginning," the vice president said. "Israel has a right to defend itself. Far too many Palestinian civilians, innocent civilians have been killed. We need to get more aid in, we need to get hostages out. and that remains our position."

Harris released a statement on her X account in the wake of the meeting, which many say was a snub to Netanyahu.

"I met with Benny Gantz of Israel today and reiterated our support for Israel’s right to defend itself. We discussed the need to get a hostage deal, increase the flow of aid into Gaza, and protect civilians," Harris wrote.

I met with Benny Gantz of Israel today and reiterated our support for Israel’s right to defend itself. We discussed the need to get a hostage deal, increase the flow of aid into Gaza, and protect civilians. pic.twitter.com/IB6C6qZRFo

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) March 4, 2024

The Associated Press noted:

The White House, in a statement following the meeting, said Harris and Gantz discussed the urgency of completing a hostage deal to free more than 100 people believed still to be in captivity in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. She also reiterated the administration’s support for a temporary extended cease-fire that would facilitate the release of hostages and allow for a surge of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza.

Gantz reportedly did not have clearance from Netanyahu to hold the meeting with the vice president of the United States.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby responded to questions about the dynamics of the meeting this week.

"We have been dealing with all members of the war Cabinet, including Mr. Gantz," Kirby said. "We see this as a natural outgrowth of those discussions. We’re not going to turn away that sort of opportunity."