  SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images The vice president has largely echoed the president’s view on Israel, but sounded a more sympathetic note to the plight of Palestinians in GazaBy Gabby Deutch While Vice President Kamala Harris has not yet earned the backing of Democratic leaders in Congress, she now looks like the presidential candidate to beat ahead of the party’s convention next month — bringing renewed attention to her record on issues of concern to the Jewish community, including her views on Israel and her record on speaking out against antisemitism. In recent months, Harris has been a tougher critic of Israel than President Joe Biden, who frequently describes himself as a Zionist, and as a voice more sympathetic to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. “She’ll certainly be making it clear, as we’ve said many times before, that we believe that Palestinian people need a vote and a voice in their future, and that they need governance in Gaza that will look after their aspirations and their needs,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said in December, describing the role an increasingly more visible Harris would play pertaining to the war in Gaza. Three days after the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel, she sat with Biden as he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She was also present — virtually — for a meeting with the White House national security team after Israel responded to a barrage of missiles fired from Iran in April. “Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad, and we stand with the people of Israel in defense against these attacks,” she tweeted at the time. You May Have MissedSTEPPING ASIDEBiden drops out of presidential race, endorses Kamala Harris as his successorBiden’s abrupt decision, under pressure from Democrats, creates the party’s first open convention in decades. Read more...BIDEN'S LEGACYJewish leaders praise, reflect on Biden’s legacyJewish Federations of North America called Biden ‘a true friend of the Jewish community and steadfast supporter of Israel.’        |
7.21.2024
Kamala Harris’ record on Israel to the left of President Biden
