Harris to skip Netanyahu's congressional address; plans private meeting 

Vice President Kamala Harris will not be present for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's joint address to Congress but will instead hold a separate bilateral meeting with him at the White House later this week, according to an aide who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Prior to the scheduling of Netanyahu’s address, Harris had already committed to attending a Zeta Phi Beta sorority event in Indianapolis. This scheduling conflict allows her to sidestep the political dilemma of attending the address, which poses challenges for Democrats who are critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

During her private meeting with Netanyahu, Harris plans to reaffirm her support for Israel's security and defense while also advocating for an end to the conflict that ensures the release of hostages, alleviates the suffering of Palestinian civilians, and promotes the rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. The meeting will also cover ongoing cease-fire negotiations.

* Politico contributed to this report