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During a White House meeting with President Biden, Israeli President Isaac Herzog shared distressing news about recent attacks on Israel. He reported two Israeli casualties from Lebanese rocket strikes in Nahariya, a coastal town in northern Israel. Herzog also described a heroic incident where a special needs kindergarten teacher saved her students from a drone attack that later exploded at the school.

However, the gravity of Herzog’s subsequent media briefing was disrupted by an unexpected scene. Vice President Kamala Harris’s first post-election return to the White House prompted hundreds of staff members to gather, chanting “M-VP” (Madame Vice President) so enthusiastically that Herzog had to pause his presentation.

“I can’t compete with it, I guess,” Herzog remarked, as the cheering overwhelmed his address.

Harris, addressing the impromptu celebration on West Executive Avenue, delivered a characteristic speech about commitment to public service. “Listen, we do the best work anybody could do, which is to dedicate ourselves to the people, to public service, to lifting folks up, knowing we have the power, and when we do that work, we make a difference, and you all are a part of doing that work every single day, and I am so grateful to each of you,” she stated, adding, “So let’s get back to work, because we still have work to get done. And I am sending all my love and thanks. Thank you, everyone.”

The timing of this celebratory interruption proved awkward, as it overshadowed a crucial briefing about Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas and American support for their ally. The contrast between Herzog’s serious security updates and the impromptu celebration for Harris highlighted a disconnect in priorities, particularly given the uncoordinated nature of her visit.