US Vice President Kamala Harris avoided directly answering whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a “close ally” of the United States.
In an interview with CBS News's 60 Minutes, Harris was asked about the United States' response to Israel's actions in Gaza and Lebanon.
Harris told CBS News that Israel has the right to defend itself, but said that “a very large number of innocent Palestinians have been killed.”
Asked whether the United States has any “real, close ally” in Netanyahu, Harris responded: “I think, respectfully, the better question is whether we have a relationship with the American people and the Israeli people.” Is there an important alliance between? And the answer to that question is: yes.”
He said the United States is pushing to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Middle East.
The United States provides at least $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel annually. Additionally, President Joe Biden approved $14 billion in additional aid since the start of the Israeli offensive on Gaza on October 7 last year.