FILE PHOTO: U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks during the opening reception of the Afro-Atlantic Histories exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, U.S., April 7, 2022.  REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz
United States

Kamala Harris condemns attacks in Israel

"The Vice President expressed support for continued efforts to reduce tensions," the White House said in a statement

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris condemned attacks in Israel that have killed 14 people and said U.S. support for Israel's security was unwavering in a call with Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Thursday, the White House said.

"The Vice President expressed support for continued efforts to reduce tensions," the White House said in a statement.

The Israeli military had stepped up its raids in the West Bank following attacks by two Palestinians from the territory and three members of Israel's Arab minority in which 14 people in Israel have been killed since late March.

More than 20 Palestinians, many of them gunmen, have been killed by Israeli forces since January.

Israel has accused the Palestinian Authority of not doing enough to rein in militants and of encouraging violence against Israelis. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday it held Israel "fully responsible for the repercussions" from the military's actions and a spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas appealed for the international community to intervene.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, Editing by Franklin Paul and Howard Goller)

Southern Europe battles wildfires as heatwave intensifies

Hurricane Erin weakens to Category 3 in Atlantic

Wildfires rage in Portugal and Spain amid summer heat wave

World Athletics to require gene test for female athletes

French voice of Ben Affleck fights to save dubbing in AI era