In her first week as the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris is set to confront the contentious issue of U.S. foreign policy with the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington. This visit puts a spotlight on Harris's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, where she has been vocal about the suffering of innocent Palestinians. While she is expected to meet with Netanyahu privately, her public remarks before and after the meeting will be closely scrutinized for clues about her approach to the conflict if she were to become president. Harris has been more critical of the Gaza war than President Biden, and her comments have garnered attention for their emphasis on human suffering. However, despite her calls for a cease-fire, her views align with current policy, including the demand for Hamas to accept an Israeli proposal to stop the fighting. While it is uncertain if Harris will seek to shift U.S. policy on Israel if elected, analysts note her capacity for empathy towards Palestinians, a contrast to Biden's struggles in this area. Despite her criticism of Netanyahu's government, Harris is expected to reiterate U.S. support for Israel's actions in Gaza while expressing concerns about Palestinian casualties. Harris's husband is Jewish, and her public expressions of sympathy for campus activists protesting the war have received both praise and criticism. She has also been engaged in diplomatic talks with Arab leaders and has been involved in discussions on postwar planning in the region. Overall, Harris's actions this week are not expected to significantly disrupt the status quo, as she balances her responsibilities as an American leader. While some hope she will bring a more empathetic approach to U.S. policy towards Israel, it remains to be seen how much her views might diverge from the current administration's stance.