'Despicable acts': Harris condemns Netanyahu protesters who defaced area around Union Station

Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday condemned some of the demonstrators who protested Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Wednesday address to Congress for “despicable acts” and “dangerous hate-fueled rhetoric.”

“I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation,” Harris said in a statement on Thursday.

Protesters gathered outside of Union Station on Wednesday, calling for Netanyahu’s arrest and lowering and burning the American flags that fly in front of the train station, which is located just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. They raised Palestinian flags in their place and some protesters voiced support for Hamas, spurring immediate rebukes from the Israeli leader and Republican members of Congress.

“I condemn the burning of the American flag. That flag is a symbol of our highest ideals as a nation and represents the promise of America. It should never be desecrated in that way. I support the right to peacefully protest, but let’s be clear: Antisemitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation,” she said.

Harris’ statement comes as she’s set to meet one-on-one with Netanyahu in a high-stakes meeting, just days after President Joe Biden endorsed her to be the Democratic Party’s nominee. The vice president is faced with the political challenge of defining herself on one of the most delicate foreign policy issues, while Biden remains in the White House trying to finalize a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Harris will meet with Netanyahu Thursday afternoon in her ceremonial office in the Old Executive Office Building. The president will meet with the Israeli leader earlier Thursday and later hold a meeting with the families of American hostages being held by Hamas.