VP Kamala Harris speaks with President Herzog, PA’s Abbas on flight from Dubai

US Vice President Kamala Harris spoke separately with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas overnight on her flight back from Dubai to Washington, the White House says.

Harris was in Dubai for an appearance at the UN climate conference, where she also met with several Arab leaders to discuss the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza following the terror group’s October 7 massacres and the abduction of hostages, and the “day after.”

Harris’s National Security Advisor, Dr. Phil Gordon, stayed in Dubai and will be traveling to Israel and the West Bank this week for additional discussions, the White House says.

In her call with Herzog, Harris “reiterated the strong US support for Israel’s right to self-defense” and spoke about US concerns “with steps that could escalate tensions, including extremist settler violence” in the West Bank, according to the readout.

Harris also “reiterated the importance of planning for the day after the fighting ends in Gaza, and she underscored our commitment to a two-state solution.”

On Saturday, Harris was sharply critical of Israel, echoing comments from administration officials who have demanded Israel change the way it is waging the war to better protect civilians in Gaza.

“Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed,” Harris said from the Dubai event. “Frankly, the scale of civilian suffering and the images and videos coming from Gaza are devastating.”

In her call with Abbas tonight, Harris again stated US support for the Palestinian people’s right to security, dignity and self-determination, according to the readout.

She told Abbas the Palestinian people “must have a clear political horizon” and expressed US support “for a unified West Bank and Gaza under a revitalized Palestinian Authority.”