- Vice President Kamala Harris called for an ‘immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza for the next six weeks
- She spoke Sunday at an event commemorating “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama
- Harris will meet with Israeli war officials at the White House on Monday to discuss a possible deal
Vice President Kamala Harris has broken with President Biden by calling for “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.
Her comments came during a speech in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday, and just a day before she was scheduled to meet with a top Israeli official to discuss a possible ceasefire.
“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks, which is on the table,” she said.
‘This allows the hostages to get out and a significant amount of aid to arrive.
“This will allow us to build something more lasting to ensure that Israel is safe and to respect the Palestinian people’s right to dignity, freedom and self-determination.”
Vice President Kamala Harris has broken with President Biden by calling for ‘an immediate ceasefire’ in Gaza
She added that “a deal is on the table” and urged Hamas to accept it.
‘Let’s come to a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let us provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza,” Harris said.
Her comments mark a sharp departure from the more cautious approach favored by President Biden as he struggles to balance the US role as an ally of Israel as international outrage over the bombing of Gaza grows .
It is estimated that around 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory airstrikes since October 7, when Hamas first attacked Israel, killing 1,139 people and taking 240 hostages.
Harris spoke to the crowd as she stood near the Edmund Pettus Bridge during an event commemorating the 59th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in the city.
During the civil rights protest, demonstrators crossed the bridge and clashed with state police who used batons and tear gas to disperse them on March 7, 1965.
Harris’ speech was received with cheers and rapturous applause from the audience.
It came the day before she was due to meet Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz at the White House as Washington tries to reach an agreement on a temporary ceasefire and increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
