Republicans heavily criticized Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday for skipping Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to a joint meeting of Congress, saying it showed the true colors of the presumptive Democratic nominee on the Israel-Hamas war.
Ms. Harris, who also serves as president of the Senate, chose to speak instead at a long-scheduled convention of the historically Black Zeta Phi Beta sorority in Indianapolis. She was one of many Democrats to avoid Mr. Netanyahu’s address, which featured a strong defense of Israel’s actions in the war in Gaza and a warning of the danger Iran posed for the region.
The vice president was joined by dozens of congressional Democrats who boycotted the speech, even as pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli protesters clashed with police outside the Capitol.
Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican who pushed for Mr. Netanyahu’s address to Congress, called it “outrageous” and “inexcusable” that Ms. Harris did not attend. “She needs to be held accountable for that,” he said.
Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida Republican, said Ms. Harris and Democrats “take American Jews for granted.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, New York Republican, said Ms. Harris’ “embarrassing snub” of Mr. Netanyahu’s speech “was a stunt to appease the pro-Hamas base of the Democrat Party that just burned American flags, clashed with police, and spread dangerous pro-terror chaos and violence.”
Ms. Harris did not discuss the matter with reporters during her trip to Indiana. Her office did not respond to a request for comment.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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