WASHINGTON, July  25, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - US Vice President Kamala Harris on
Thursday condemned the "despicable" and "unpatriotic" burning of an American
flag by protesters who rallied in Washington during Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu's address to 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," the Democratic presidential candidate said in
an unusually strong statement.

    She said Wednesday's demonstration featured "despicable acts by unpatriotic
protestors and dangerous hate-fueled rhetoric."

       The statement, echoed by other senior Democrats, came amid attempts by
Republicans to paint the party as pro-Hamas.

      "Anti-American and pro-Hamas rioters burned the American flag in front of
the US Capitol, and the woman who wants to be our president is still refusing
to condemn it," Senator J.D. Vance, who is running for vice president alongside
Donald Trump, wrote on social media just before Harris's statement was issued.

       Thousands of demonstrators angry over the war in Gaza marched on the
heavily guarded US Capitol on Wednesday as Netanyahu delivered an
uncompromising speech to lawmakers.

       A group of protesters gathered outside a train station near the Capitol,
where they spray-painted monuments, burned Netanyahu in effigy, and lit
American flags on fire -- a raucous end to a mostly peaceful march.

     Harris, who launched her presidential campaign immediately after President
Joe Biden announced a shock exit from his reelection bid on Sunday, was set to
meet Netanyahu later Thursday. The Israeli leader will meet separately with
Biden.

    The White House has struggled to thread the political needle in maintaining
traditional support for Israel during its offensive in Gaza, which has been
heavily condemned by left-leaning voters in the United States.