Background
Biden Passes the Torch
Harris and Israel
Meeting Netanyahu
Early Campaign Controversies
Balancing VP and Candidate
Harris Campaign for President

Background

Kamala Harris* was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California, to a Tamil Indian mother and a Jamaican father. Harris’s parents divorced when she was seven, and her mother was granted custody of the children. After the divorce, when Harris was 12, her mother moved with the children to Montreal, Québec, Canada.

After graduating from Westmount High School in Westmount, Quebec, in 1981, Harris attended Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in political science and economics.

Harris returned to California, earning her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in 1989 and began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.

In 2003, Harris became the City and County of San Francisco District Attorney. After serving for two terms, she was elected as the first African-American and first woman to serve as California’s Attorney General in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.

In 2017, Harris was sworn in as a United States Senator for California, the second African-American woman and first South Asian-American senator in history. She served on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on the Judiciary, and the Committee on the Budget. Harris co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution condemning hate and anti-Semitism and resolutions condemning the 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and the 2019 shooting at the Chabad of Poway.

Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and appeared to be a legitimate contender. Her campaign, however, was seen as a disaster. NBC’s Peter Nicholas and Katherine Doyle noted that she “lacked money, a message, and a cohesive campaign operation, and she withdrew from the race before the primaries.

Following the murder of George Floyd and ensuing protests and demonstrations in May 2020, Joe Biden was pressured to select a black woman to be his running mate. On August 11, 2020, Biden announced that he had chosen Harris as his vice-presidential nominee. Their ticket went on to defeat Donald Trump and Mike Pence in the 2020 election. Following her election as Vice President, Harris resigned from her Senate seat on January 18, 2021. Harris and Biden were inaugurated on January 20, 2021.

Biden Passes the Torch

After Biden shockingly withdrew from the 2024 presidential election on July 21, 2024, he endorsed Harris as his successor. She immediately launched her campaign for president, though it was unclear if she would be challenged for the nomination. Given the short time before the Democratic National Convention and the election, she was seen by many as having the best chance of winning in November. She had the advantage of inheriting Biden’s campaign operation and access to much of his campaign funds, though she would be at a great disadvantage financially to Trump at the outset because of the amount of money the Biden campaign had already spent.

Some Democrats questioned her viability as a candidate and objected to her being anointed as the nominee without going through a primary process. Questions were also raised about her ability to win. During her time in office, Harris has had one of the lowest approval ratings of any vice president. She has also been criticized for her management style and experienced a high degree of staff turnover, including several of her most senior advisers. Republicans were already geared up to run a campaign against her, tying her to Biden’s unpopular programs, particularly her role in addressing the border immigration crisis, painting her as a far-left radical, and questioning why she had not spoken up about the president’s apparent physical and mental deterioration.

No one immediately challenged her, and many Democrats feared the party, which had already been riven by dissension over Biden’s reluctance to exit the race, would fracture if Harris was denied the nomination. Some argued she was logically next in line, thought that was only true if Biden had resigned, and were more worried that Blacks, women, and progressives would revolt if she was passed over.

If nominated and elected, Harris would become the first female and first Asian-American president of the United States and the second Black president after Barack Obama.

Harris met her Jewish husband, Douglas Emhoff, on a blind date in San Francisco. They married in 2014 and have two children, Ella and Cole. The couple placed mezuzahs on the doorposts of the vice president’s residence, and they hosted a Passover Seder and celebrated Chanukah there.

Harris and Israel

In a profile of Harris, journalist Ron Kampeas described her as “more AIPAC than J Street.” Dan Perry wrote in the Forward that Harris “should get credit for the administration’s pro-Israel policies, but she seems distinctly cooler to Israel than Biden and is generally understood to be closer to the progressive camp’s views on the Middle East.”

Harris first visited Israel in 2004 when she was a district attorney. In 2017, she shared a Shabbat dinner with a group of Israeli activists, met with Benjamin Netanyahu, and visited the Western Wall, Yad Vashem, the Supreme Court, and Al-Quds University. “Having grown up in the Bay Area, I fondly remember those Jewish National Fund boxes that we would use to collect donations to plant trees for Israel,” she said in a speech to AIPAC. “Years later, when I visited Israel for the first time, I saw the fruits of that effort and the Israeli ingenuity that has truly made a desert bloom.”

“I soaked in the sights and sounds and smells of Jerusalem,” she added. “I stood in Yad Vashem, devastated by the silent testimonies of the 6 million Jews that were murdered in the Holocaust, and we must always remember that solemn promise. Never again.”

Meeting Netanyahu

Unlike Biden, who has a 50-year relationship with Netanyahu, Harris only got to know him by participating in calls between the president and prime minister and the administration’s testy interactions. On July 25, 2024, Harris met with Netanyahu for 40 minutes the day after his speech to Congress. She had generated some criticism from the pro-Israel community for deciding to attend a pre-planned campaign event rather than preside over the Congress as she usually would for a speech by a world leader.

“From when I was a young girl, collecting funds to plant trees for Israel, to my time in the United States Senate and now at the White House, I’ve had an unwavering commitment to the existence of the state of Israel, to its security and to the people of Israel,” Harris said after the meeting. “I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating. Israel has a right to defend itself, and how it does so matters.”

“Hamas is a brutal terrorist organization. On Oct. 7, Hamas triggered this war when it massacred 1,200 innocent people, including 44 Americans. Hamas has committed horrific acts of sexual violence and took 250 hostages. There are American citizens who remain captive in Gaza,” said Harris.

Regarding the American hostages, whose families she had met several times, Harris said, “I’ve told them each time: They are not alone, and I stand with them, and President Biden and I are working every day to bring them home.”

She reiterated U.S. support for Israel but seemed to put greater emphasis on Palestinian suffering and the need to end the war immediately. “I just told Prime Minister Netanyahu it is time to get this deal done,” she said. “It is time for this war to end and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people can exercise their right to freedom, dignity and self determination,”

“I also expressed with the prime minister my serious concern about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians,” Harris said. “And I made clear my serious concern about the dire humanitarian situation there with over 2 million people facing high levels of food insecurity and half a million people facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. What has happened in Gaza over the past nine months is devastating. The images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time.” She added, “We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and I will not be silent.”

“To everyone who has been calling for a cease-fire, and to everyone who yearns for peace: I see you and I hear you. Let’s get the deal done, so we can get a cease-fire to end the war. Let’s bring the hostages home. And let’s provide much needed relief to the Palestinian people,” Harris said.

Repeating another administration talking point, the Vice President said, “A two-state solution is the only path that ensures Israel remains a secure, Jewish and democratic state, and one that ensures Palestinians can finally realize the freedom, security and prosperity that they rightly deserve.”

In a remark that many found confusing, Harris said, “too often the conversation is binary when the reality is anything but, so I asked my fellow Americans to help encourage efforts to acknowledge the complexity, the nuance, and the history of the region,” she said. “Let us all condemn terrorism and violence. Let us all do what we can to prevent the suffering of innocent civilians. And let us condemn antisemitism, Islamophobia and hate of any kind.”

Separately, Harris spoke out against anti-Israel protesters who burned American flags, replaced others with Palestinian flags, and vandalized a statue with pro-Hamas graffiti, calling these “despicable acts by unpatriotic protesters.” She said, “I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation.”

After a Hezbollah rocket attack killed a dozen Israeli children, Harris’s national security adviser said the Vice President condemned the attack. “Israel continues to face severe threats to its security, and [Harris’s] support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The US will continue working on a diplomatic solution to end all attacks once and for all, and allow citizens on both sides of the border to safely return home,” said Phil Gordon.

Some of Israel’s supporters were disappointed Harris did not publicly make a statement.

Early Campaign Controversies

One of the most important decisions for candidate Harris was choosing her running mate. The selection came down to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, with Walz getting the nod. Some Democrats launched a nasty anti-Semitic campaign against Shapiro, who is Jewish. None of the other men Harris considered was given the same scrutiny or criticism. Shapiro was attacked for his support for Israel, though his positions were nearly identical to those of Harris and Walz and within the party mainstream. Critics of Israel were also upset that he had taken a strong stand against universities for failing to address anti-Semitism and take more decisive measures during anti-Israel protests.

Another brief contretemps erupted when it was reported that Harris had met with critics of Israel in Detroit and had said she was open to discussing an arms embargo on Israel. Later, the story clarified that she did not entertain the idea of such an embargo. “Since October 7, the vice president has prioritized engaging with Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian community members and others regarding the war in Gaza,” the campaign said. “In this brief engagement, she reaffirmed that her campaign will continue to engage with those communities. The vice president has been clear: she will always work to ensure Israel is able to defend itself against Iran and Iran-backed terrorist groups. The Vice President is focused on securing the ceasefire and hostage deal currently on the table.”

The ADL criticized Harris’s campaign manager for meeting with Osama Siblani, publisher of the Arab American News in Dearborn. Siblani said three days after the Hamas massacre, “We are not going to be intimidated [when] they say Hamas is a terrorist organization. In fact, it is not a terrorist organization! And we have to say to them, the terrorist is Benjamin Netanyahu and his government.” In November, Siblani referred to Hamas and Hezbollah as “freedom fighters” and said he was “not going to apologize for Hamas firing rockets at Israel.”

Harris was heckled during a rally in Detroit with chants of “Kamala, you can’t hide, we won’t vote for genocide.” Harris chided the protesters. “I am here because I believe in democracy and everybody’s voice matters,” the vice president said to applause. “But I am speaking now.” When the chanting continued, Harris said, “If you want Donald Trump to win, then say that. Otherwise, I’m speaking.”

The swing state of Michigan had become a problem for President Biden because of the large Arab and Muslim population, which opposed his policy toward Israel. Harris met with some of the critics to convince them to support her.

Activists protesting the administration’s policy toward Israel showed up in smaller than advertised numbers to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on August 19-22. Organizers gave a prime speaking spot to the parents of one of the Americans held hostage by Hamas. This infuriated the protesters, who demanded a speaking slot for a Palestinian. Their request was denied. The party platform expressed the Democrats’ commitment to Israel, the Abraham Accords, and the creation of a Palestinian state. It was essentially a restatement of the president’s positions. In her speech to the DNC, Harris tried to appeal to both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian constituents in her acceptance speech:

Let me be clear: I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that the terrorist organization Hamas caused on October 7th, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival. At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past ten months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking. President Biden and I are working to end this war such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends, and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity. Security. Freedom. And self-determination.

Many protesters were unhappy that Harris did not commit to cutting aid to Israel. Nevertheless, few, if any, protesters were likely to support Trump, though they could decide not to vote.

In her first interview following her acceptance of the nomination, Harris reiterated her position to CNN’s Dana Bash:

Bash: Let’s talk about some foreign policy issues that would be on your plate if you become commander-in-chief. President Biden has tried unsuccessfully to end the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. He’s been doing it for months and months, along with you. Would you do anything differently? For example, would you withhold some U.S. weapons shipments to Israel? That’s what a lot of people on the progressive left want you to do.

Harris: Let me be very clear. I’m unequivocal and — and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself. And that’s not gonna change. But let’s take a step back. October 7, 1,200 people are massacred, many young people who are simply attending a musical festival. Women were horribly raped. As I said then, I say today, Israel had a right — has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. And we have got to get a deal done. We — we were in Doha. We have to get a deal done. This war must end—

BASH: And in the meantime—

And we must get a deal that is about getting the hostages out. I’ve met with the families of the American hostages. Let’s get the hostages out. Let’s get the ceasefire done.

Bash: But no change in policy in terms of arms and — and so forth?

Harris: No. I — we have to get a deal done. Dan — Dana, we have to get a deal done. When you look at the significance of this to the families, to the people who are living in that region — it — a deal is not only the right thing to do to end this war but will unlock so much of what must happen next.

I remain committed since I’ve been on October 8 to what we must do to work toward a two-state solution where Israel is secure and in equal measure the Paletin — the Palestinians have security and self-determination and — and dignity.

Balancing VP and Candidate

As Vice President, Harris is in the difficult position of having to still represent the views of the president rather than stake out any independent positions on the Middle East. Thus, for example, when negotiations to free the hostages held by Hamas appeared to be failing, she echoed the president when she said, “I will tell you that these conversations are ongoing, and we are not giving up, and we are going to continue to work very hard on this. We’ve got to get a ceasefire and we’ve got to get these hostages out.”

Following the murder by Hamas terrorists of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Harris said, “Hamas is an evil terrorist organization. With these murders, Hamas has even more American blood on its hands. I strongly condemn Hamas’ continued brutality, and so must the entire world...The threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel—and American citizens in Israel—must be eliminated and Hamas cannot control Gaza.”

During the presidential debate on September 10, neither candidate answered the question about breaking the stalemate in the hostage negotiations. Harris said:

On Oct. 7, Hamas, a terrorist organization, slaughtered 1,200 Israelis. Many of them young people who were simply attending a concert. Women were horribly raped. And so absolutely, I said then, I say now, Israel has a right to defend itself. We would. And how it does so matters. Because it is also true far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. Children, mothers. What we know is that this war must end. It must when, end immediately, and the way it will end is we need a cease-fire deal and we need the hostages out. And so we will continue to work around the clock on that. Work around the clock also understanding that we must chart a course for a two-state solution. And in that solution, there must be security for the Israeli people and Israel and in equal measure for the Palestinians. But the one thing I will assure you always, I will always give Israel the ability to defend itself, in particular as it relates to Iran and any threat that Iran and its proxies pose to Israel. But we must have a two-state solution where we can rebuild Gaza, where the Palestinians have security, self-determination and the dignity they so rightly deserve.

The moderator noted Trump said Harris hates Israel. She responded, “That’s absolutely not true. I have my entire career and life supported Israel and the Israeli people. He knows that.”

The next day, after Biden made a statement condemning Israel for the death of dual Turkish-American national Aysenur Eygi, who was killed by the IDF while taking part in a march against Israeli settlements, Harris said, “The killing of Aysenur Eygi is a horrific tragedy that never should have happened. No one should be killed for participating in a peaceful protest.”

JTA reporter Ron Kampeas asked both campaigns if their candidate identified as a Zionist as Biden does. Each gave answers from their talking points expressing support for Israel that implied they supported Zionism but did not use the word or say their candidates were Zionists.

The Uncommitted National Movement, which started in Michigan and inspired 740,000 people to vote “uncommitted” in primaries nationwide, released a statement condemning Harris and Trump for their positions on the Middle East. While stopping short of endorsing Harris, the movement subtly urged its supporters to vote for her by advising against supporting a third-party candidate, warning that such a move would pave the way for a Trump victory.

One reason Hillary Clinton lost to Trump in 2016 was that many of her potential votes went to third-party candidates. Harris is in a similar predicament, particularly with Muslim voters, who are 1% of the population nationally but concentrated in Michigan. The possibility that Harris might lose Michigan and votes in other states because of the administration’s policy toward Israel became more serious when a Council on American-Islamic Relations poll released in September showed that 40% of Muslim voters in Michigan supported the Green Party’s Jill Stein, a Jewish woman who is not supportive of Israel. The poll found that 18% chose Trump, and only 12% favored Harris. The Vice President also trailed among Muslims in the battleground states of Arizona, Wisconsin, and Nevada, all of which have much smaller Muslim populations than Michigan. Harris led in Georgia and Pennsylvania. Biden was estimated to have won 80% of the Muslim vote in 2020.

Further evidence that Harris realizes her problem in Michigan came from an analysis by the Washington Free Beacon of Harris’s Facebook ads in Dearborn, which has the highest concentration of Arab Americans. The Beacon said it was “one of the most heavily targeted ad markets for the Harris campaign on Facebook.” The ads did not mention Israel or Hamas but reiterated statements Harris had made sympathetic to the Palestinians, such as “I will not be silent about the scale of human suffering in Gaza, including the death of far too many innocent civilians.” Similar messages were being disseminated on other social media platforms.

Harris received some good news when the Uncommitted movement issued a video that did not endorse Harris but said that a second term for former Trump would be worse than a Harris victory. Also, a poll commissioned by the Jewish Democratic Council of America from September 26 to October 2 showed Harris winning 71% of the Jewish vote in the seven swing states. This contradicted the Republican Jewish Coalition’s claims that the race in those states was even and challenged a poll sponsored by the Orthodox Union that reported Harris leading Trump by only 52% to 41%. Trump claimed that polls he did not name showed him winning 40% of the Jewish vote nationally. A CHIP50 poll of Jewish voters (August 30- October 8, 2024) found that, indeed, Trump was favored by 40% of Jews. Orthodox Jews, who comprise about 10% of the Jewish population, favor Trump by 3 to 1. If, in the end, 60% voted for Harris, it would be the least support of any Democrat since Jimmy Carter lost his reelection with only 45% of the Jewish vote.

A NORC poll found that 43% of Jews would be influenced by anti-Semitism. Of those, 17% who said they usually vote Democratic would vote Republican, and 9% who normally vote Republican said they would vote Democratic.

Following the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on September 27, Harris issued a statement: “Hassan Nasrallah was a terrorist with American blood on his hands. Across decades, his leadership of Hezbollah destabilized the Middle East and led to the killing of countless innocent people in Lebanon, Israel, Syria, and around the world. Today, Hezbollah’s victims have a measure of justice.”

She reiterated her commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-defense. “Diplomacy remains the best path forward to protect civilians and achieve lasting stability in the region,” she concluded.

On the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack, Harris issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims, a determination to fight for the release of the hostages held by Hamas, her unwavering commitment to Israel’s security, and a promise to work toward realizing Paletsinians’ “right to dignity, freedom, security, and self-determination.”

A few days later, reacting to reports of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Harris tweeted, “Civilians must be protected and must have access to food, water, and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected.”

A national poll of Arab Americans released two weeks before the election indicated Harris was still in serious trouble with a usually reliable Democratic constituency. In the poll, participants said they voted for Biden over Trump by a 43%-34% margin, while Harris trailed Trump by 45%-43%. Six percent said they were undecided, 4% would vote for Jill Stein, and 2% preferred not to reveal their choice.

Harris did not help herself with Jewish or Arab voters when she was interrupted during a rally by a protester who accused her of “investing in genocide.” After twice saying, “I am speaking right now” to silence the protester. As the protester was being escorted from the room by security, he shouted: “Billions of dollars, 42,000 dead. 19,000 children are dead. Why won't you call it a genocide?”

Harris said, “Look, what he’s talking about, it’s real. That’s not the subject that I came to discuss today, but it’s real.”

Pro-Israel critics immediately accused her of appearing to agree that Israel was engaged in “genocide.” Anti-Israel critics attacked her for failing to condemn Israel.

She also didn't help herself with Jewish voters when she said during a CNN town hall on October 23, “far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. It’s unconscionable. And we are now at a point, with Sinwar’s death, that I do believe we have an opportunity to end this war, bring the hostages home, bring relief to the Palestinian people and work toward a two-state solution, where Israel and the Palestinians have equal measure of security, where the Palestinian people have dignity, self-determination and the safety they so rightly deserve.” She added, “I am not going to deny the strong feelings that people have...I don’t know that anyone who has seen the images would not have strong feelings about what has happened – much less those who have relatives who have died and been killed” before pivoting to unrelated issues. She also didn’t answer whether she would be more pro-Israel than Trump.

Harris seemed less interested in reassuring Jewish voters than Arabs and Muslims, particularly in Michigan. According to the New York Times, “The campaign has launched Facebook ads targeting Muslims, created WhatsApp channels and distributed fact sheets with Ms. Harris’ most forceful statements on the war in Gaza. And in private meetings in living rooms and basements across the country, including in the battleground states of Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania, campaign workers are trying to reach voters who say they may stay home, vote third party or even vote for former President Donald J. Trump because of the Biden administration’s policies in the Middle East.” In particular, her surrogates have emphasized her sympathy for Palestinian suffering and reminded Arabs and Muslims that Trump intended to reinstate a travel ban on people from Muslim countries.

Unlike Harris, Trump courted Jews by saying that he speaks to Netanyahu almost every day. “We have a very good relationship,” Trump said at a campaign rally. We’re going to work with them very closely.”

Harris said this did not bother her or undermine U.S. Middle East policy. “I do believe that it is critically important that we, as the United States of America, be an active participant in encouraging… that this war ends, that we get the hostages out, but also that there is a real commitment among nations to a two-state solution and the ‘day after’ [in Gaza],” she told reporters.

Michael Schwartz, who oversees Pennsylvania volunteers for the Jewish Democratic Council of America, may have best captured Harris’ problem with Jewish voters. “People aren’t saying: ‘I never will vote for Democrats,’” observed Schwartz. “It’s more, ‘You need to convince me, because some trust has been lost.’ This is a small trend, but it’s out there. The question is how big it is.”

After a series of articles and interviews revealed that Trump had made positive references to Hitler (which his campaign denied), Harris said, “It is deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous that Donald Trump would invoke Adolf Hitler, the man who is responsible for the deaths of 6 million Jews and hundreds of thousands of Americans.”

Still, Harris’ position with Jewish voters remained precarious, according to multiple polls:

This would be the lowest share of the Jewish vote since Dukakis in 1988. The lowest percentage by any winning Democrat was 68% for Biden in 2020.

Harris Campaign for President

Israel

“Sinwar was the mastermind of October 7, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, a terrorist attack that killed 1200 innocent people and included horrific sexual violence and more than 250 hostages taken into Gaza, including seven Americans living and deceased who remain in captivity. A terrorist attack that triggered a devastating war in Gaza, a war that has led to unconscionable suffering of many innocent Palestinians and greater instability throughout the Middle East. In the past year, American Special Operations and intelligence personnel have worked closely with their Israeli counterparts to locate and track Sinwar and other Hamas leaders, and I commend their work. And I will say to any terrorist who kills Americans, threatens the American people or threatens our troops or our interests, know this — we will always bring you to justice.

Israel has a right to defend itself, and the threat Hamas poses to Israel must be eliminated. Today, there is clear progress toward that goal. Hamas is decimated and its leadership is eliminated.

This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza. And it must end such that Israel is secure; the hostages are released; the suffering in Gaza ends; and the Palestinian people can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self determination.

And it is time for the day after to begin — without Hamas in power. We will not give up on these goals, and I will always work to create a future of peace, dignity and security for all.” (Statement following the killing of Yahya Sinwar, VP Travel pool report, October 17, 2024)
Harris pledged to “always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists.” She said her “commitment to the security of Israel has been unwavering,” describing it as a “lifelong commitment.”

She said as president she would “always work to ensure the safety and security of the people of Israel and Jewish people in the United States and around the world.”

Hamas is “not the only threat Israel faces...What is the common thread? We all know, Iran, which has now directly attacked Israel twice.”

“Make no mistake, as president, I will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend American forces and interests from Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. And I will never allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon. Diplomacy is my preferred path to that end. But all options are on the table.”

“We are not giving up on a ceasefire and hostage deal. We cannot. And I will never stop fighting for the release of all of the hostages, including the 7 American citizens, living and deceased, who are still held...We cannot and will not rest until all of the hostages are home.”

“Everyone has a right to have their voices heard,” but “there is no place for hate and violence...each university must ensure all students and faculty are safe and secure on campus.” (High Holiday Call with Vice-President Kamala Harris, October 11, 2024)
“I absolutely believe that this war has to end, and it has to end as soon as possible. The way that will be achieved is by getting a hostage deal and a cease-fire deal done. We are working around the clock to achieve that end. Stepping back, October 7, 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered, and actually some Americans, by the way in that number, slaughtered. Young people who were attending a concert. Women were horribly raped, and yes, and so I have said Israel has a right to defend itself. We would. And so how it does so matters. And far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed. Women and children we have seen with horror the images coming out of Gaza. And we have to take that seriously. And we have to agree that not only must we end this war but we have to have a goal of a two- state solution because there must be stability and peace in that region in as much as what we do in our goal is to ensure that that Israelis have security and that Palestinians in equal measure have security, self-determination and dignity.”

A question for you on that, what levers does the U.S. have to support Palestinians in the right to self-determination? Is it even possible as Israel’s ally?

“Absolutely. I will tell you I have been actively involved in, for example, meeting not only with Israeli officials but with Arab officials to talk about how we can construct a day after scenario where we participate in ensuring those exact goals that I outlined, including as part of the principles that should be applied to those goals that there be no reoccupation of Gaza, that there be no changing of the territorial lines in Gaza, that there be an ability to have security in the region for all concerned in a way that we create stability and let us also recognize in a way that ensures that Iran is not empowered in this whole scenario in terms of the peace and stability of the region. But absolutely, the United States of America absolutely has a role, which is why we have been active in particular with the Qataris and the Egyptians around attempting to get a deal done and get it done as quickly as possible.”

Is there a specific policy change as president you would do in our helping of Israel?

“We need to get this deal done. We need to get it done immediately and that is my position and that is my policy. We need to get the deal done.”

“For example, one of the things we have done that I am entirely supportive of is the pause we have put on the 2000-pound bombs. There is some leverage we have had and used. Ultimately the thing that’s going to unlock everything else in that region is getting this deal done. I am not going to disclose private conversations. But I will tell you I have had direct conversations with the prime minister. With the president of Israel, with Egyptian leaders, and with our allies, and I think we’ve made ourselves very clear this deal needs to get done in the best interest of everyone in the region, including getting those hostages out. We saw the latest example of what happened with the six most recently, one of whom was an American citizen.”

What do you say to those that say that’s not enough, stopping the 2000 bomb the one time was not enough, this administration, your possible administration has to do more?

“Well, we are doing the work of putting the pressure on all parties involved to get the deal done. But let me be very clear also, I support Israel’s ability to defend itself. And I support the need for Palestinians to have dignity, self-determination, and security as we move forward and get a two-state deal done, but right now the thing we need to get done is this hostage deal and the cease-fire deal.” (C-SPAN, September 17, 2024)
“I unequivocally support Israel’s right to remain secure and defend the security of Israel … It has the right to defend itself against the terrorist organization, which is exactly what Hezbollah is. But all of that being said, we still must work on a diplomatic solution to end these attacks. We will continue to do that work.” (Fox News, July 30, 2024)
“Listen, I strongly believe that our ability to evaluate a situation is connected to understanding the details of that situation. Not speaking of myself versus the president, not at all. From the beginning, I asked questions. OK, the trucks are taking flour into Gaza. But here’s the thing, Joan: I like to cook. So I said to my team: You can’t make shit with flour if you don’t have clean water. So what’s going on with that? I ask questions like, What are people actually eating right now? I’m hearing stories about their eating animal feed, grass… so that’s how I think about it.

“Similarly, I was asking early on, what are women in Gaza doing about sanitary hygiene. Do they have pads? And these are the issues that made people feel uncomfortable, especially sanitary pads.”

“They [campus protesters] are showing exactly what the human emotion should be, as a response to Gaza. There are things some of the protesters are saying that I absolutely reject, so I don’t mean to wholesale endorse their points. But we have to navigate it. I understand the emotion behind it.” (The Nation, July 8, 2024)

Anti-Semitism

“I know across the country, many Jewish parents and grandparents are worried for their children who are on college campuses, and I know many Jewish students have feared attending class in recent months. When individuals participate in calls to violence and harassment against Jews, that is antisemitism, and I condemn it. When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or identity, and when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism, and I condemn it.”

“In the United States of America, we can and we must ensure people can peacefully make their voices heard, while we also stand up for the rule of law and stand up against hate, and this is a priority for me.” (Jewish Insider, October 11, 2024)

Biden-Harris

“Joe has made it clear he will not tie security assistance to any political decisions that Israel makes and I couldn’t agree more. The Biden Harris administration will sustain our unbreakable commitment to Israel’s security, including the unprecedented military and intelligence cooperation pioneered during the Obama-Biden administration and the guarantee that Israel will always maintain its qualitative military edge.”

“Our administration will hold Iran’s government accountable and rejoin a diplomatic agreement if Iran comes back into compliance and we will work with our allies, of course, to strengthen and extend the Iran deal and push back against Iran’s other destabilizing actions.” (JTA, August 26, 2020)

Israel

“These testimonies, I fear, will only increase as more hostages are released. We cannot look away and we will not be silent. My heart breaks for all these survivors and their families, and for all the pain and suffering from the past eight months in Israel and Gaza.” (Jewish Insider, June 18, 2024)
“And October 7, last year, Hamas committed horrific acts of sexual violence ... In the days after October 7, I saw images of bloodied Israeli women abducted. Then it came to light that Hamas committed rape and gang rape at the Nova Music Festival, and women’s bodies were found naked from the waist down, hands tied behind their back, and shot in the head. I’ve heard the stories from a former hostage of what she witnessed and heard in captivity. And I just met with Amit, a survivor who has bravely come forward with her account of sexual violence while she was held captive by Hamas.” (The White House, June 17, 2024)
“On Oct. 7, 1,200 people were slaughtered, many of them young people attending a concert. Think Burning Man. Women were horribly raped. I’ve seen this in different places around the world, rape being used as a tool of war. Let’s understand that Israel, when that happened, has and had a right to defend itself. We would. And let’s understand that how it does so matters.”

“There are many truths that exist at the same time. Far too many innocent Palestinian civilians have been killed. We are looking at famine conditions. Aid must get in. And hostages must be freed. And we need a two-state solution. And we need to have a cease-fire to get to a place where we can start building toward a two-state solution. And Palestinians are entitled to security and dignity and self-determination. And Israelis are entitled to security and safety. And we must fight what we have seen as a rise of antisemitism around the world. And we must fight Islamophobia. And people are living in fear.” (Rolling Stone, June 11, 2024)
President Biden and I met with our national security team following Iran’s attacks against Israel. Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad, and we stand with the people of Israel in defense against these attacks. (@VP, April 13, 2024)
“Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks...This will get the hostages out and get a significant amount of aid in...The Israeli government must do more to significantly increase the flow of aid. No excuses.”

“People in Gaza are starving. The conditions are inhumane and our common humanity compels us to act.”

“Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed....Our hearts break for the victims of that horrific tragedy.”

“Hamas needs to agree to that deal...Let’s get a ceasefire. Let’s reunite the hostages with their families. And let’s provide immediate relief to the people of Gaza.” (Al Jazeera, March 4, 2024)
“What we are seeing every day in Gaza is devastating, and our common humanity compels us to act. Given the immense scale of suffering in Gaza, there must be an immediate ceasefire for at least the next six weeks. We are not going to create any conditions on the support that we are giving Israel to defend itself.” (@KamalaHarris, March 3, 2024)
“We are going to continue to stand with Israel’s right to defend itself and, let’s be clear and never forget what happened on Oct. 7, where hundreds, thousands, 1400, innocent people were killed, slaughtered. Young people who were simply attending a concert.” (Reuters. November 2, 2023).
“Doug’s and my prayers are with the victims of the heinous terrorist attacks in Israel. @POTUS and my support for Israel’s security is unwavering.” (@VP, (October 7, 2023)
“At the core of the U.S.-Israel relationship is America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel. This commitment endures not only because it is in America’s strategic interest, but because it is the right thing to do. And this is why I was proud to vote for unprecedented security assistance to Israel, almost $4 billion per year, every year that I served in the United States Senate. And this is why our administration continues to provide this assistance and added another $1 billion in the wake of the 2021 conflict with Hamas. And know this: Whether replenishing Iron Dome, working together to develop a new laser defense system, or countering Iran and its proxies, the commitment of the United States and its commitment to Israel’s security will remain unwavering.” (The White House, June 7, 2023)
“The latest barrage of rocket attacks from Gaza on innocent Israelis cannot be tolerated–Israel has the right to defend itself from these horrific attacks. I join others in urging against further escalation.” (JewishInsider, November 15, 2019)
Axios asked candidates if they would move the U.S. embassy back to Tel Aviv. Harris did not respond. (Axios, July 14, 2019)
“The terms of any agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians cannot be imposed by others in the world. The U.S. and our allies in Europe and the Arab world can and should help facilitate an agreement to create peace and bring both parties to the table, but the Israelis and Palestinians themselves must negotiate and approve the terms of any peace agreement. Lasting peace can only be found through bilateral negotiations that protect Israel’s identity, ensure security for all people and include the recognition of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.” (Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2019)
Asked by the New York Times, “Do you think Israel meets international standards of human rights?” Harris responded, “I think Israel as a country is dedicated to being a democracy and is one of our closest friends in that region, and that we should understand the shared values and priorities that we have as a democracy, and conduct foreign policy in a way that is consistent with understanding the alignment between the American people and the people of Israel.”

On whether Israel meets the human rights standards: “Overall, yes.” (New York Times, June 19, 2019)
“As a member of both the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Senate Homeland Security Committee, I am deeply involved in insuring the American Israeli relationship remains strong. And I am proud to stand strongly with America’s most important allies. So let me be clear about what I believe. Israel is a critical friend and ally to the United States. I stand with Israel both because of our shared values, which are so fundamental to the founding of both our nations, and I believe the bonds between the people of the United States and the people of Israel are unbreakable and we can never let anyone drive a wedge between us.

And I believe, Israel should never be a partisan issue. I will do everything in my power to insure broad and bipartisan support for Israel’s security and right to self-defense. That is why I strongly support America’s security assistance to Israel and I am committed to strengthen the American Israeli security and defense relationship.

I believe that the only viable resolution to the Israeli Palestinian conflict and the only way Israel can remain a Jewish and democratic state is two states for two peoples living side by side. Palestinians should be able to govern themselves in their own state in peace and dignity just as Israelis deserve a secure homeland for the Jewish people. I believe that a resolution to this conflict cannot be imposed by outside parties. It must be agreed upon by the parties themselves. Both sides will have to make difficult decisions. Peace can only come through a reconciliation of differences, and that can only happen at the negotiating table.

I believe that when any organization delegitimizes Israel, we must stand up and speak out against it. Israel must be treated equally, and that is why the first resolution I cosponsored as a United States senator was to combat anti-Israeli bias at the United Nations and affirm and reaffirm that the United States seeks a just, secure and sustainable two-state solution.” (Comments to American Jewish Committee, June 3, 2019)
“Her support for Israel is central to who she is,” Harris’ campaign communications director, Lily Adams, told McClatchy... Adams said that the California senator has no plans to stray from the positions she has laid out on Israel since being elected to the Senate. “She’ll continue to support the U.S.-Israel alliance and peace through a two-state solution as a senator, as a candidate, and as president. For the senator, Israel should not be a partisan issue,” Adams said. She also opposes cutting foreign aid to Israel.

Harris “believes taking unilateral action to annex the West Bank would be a mistake and would jeopardize the peace process,” according to Adams.

“She’ll continue to support the U.S.-Israel alliance and peace through a two-state solution as a senator, as a candidate, and as president. For the senator, Israel should not be a partisan issue,” Adams said. (McClatchy, April 16, 2019)
In an off-the-record discussion with members of AIPAC, she said: “The vast majority of people understand the importance of the State of Israel. Both in terms of its history and its present in terms of being a source of inspiration on so many issues, which I hope we will talk about, and also what it means in terms of the values of the United States and those values that are shared values with Israel, and the importance of fighting to make sure that we protect and respect a friend, one of the best friends we could possibly have. And I do believe, walking the halls of the United States Senate these last several months, that this is a shared value,” she added. “I do believe this is one of the issues that is more obviously not even a bipartisan issue but a nonpartisan issue.” (Huffpost, February 24, 2019)
Harris has described Israel as being a “beautiful home to democracy and justice.” (Arab America, January30, 2019)
“I believe that a resolution to this conflict cannot be imposed,” she said. “It must be agreed upon by the parties themselves.” (JTA, January 11, 2019)
Harris co-sponsored a Senate resolution in 2017 criticizing President Obama’s refusal to veto a U.S. Security Council resolution condemning Israel’s settlement policies. (JTA, January 11, 2019)
In June 2017, she joined in the unanimous vote for a resolution marking the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The resolution called on President Donald Trump to “abide by” the 1995 law calling for the U.S. Embassy to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It also said, “Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected.” Further, it advocated a two-state solution based on direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinian Arabs. (Arutz Sheva, June 6, 2017)
Harris insists that lasting peace can only take place if the Palestinians not only uphold their recognition and security guarantees to Israel but explicitly recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” (Arab America, January 30, 2019)
She believes “Israel is America’s friend and we should support Israel,” adding that she also believes “very strongly in a two-state solution and the need for doing everything we can to encourage that the leaders in that region move toward that end.”
“Senator Harris strongly supports security assistance to strengthen Israel’s ability to defend itself. She has traveled to Israel where she saw the importance of U.S.-Israeli security cooperation firsthand. (JTA, February 7, 2019)

Interview with John Favreau:

Favreau: Bibi Netanyahu just won re-election. One of his promises right before the election was he said he might annex West Bank settlements. If you’re President, Netanyahu decides to annex West Bank settlements, what do you do?

Harris: “Well, I’m completely opposed to a unilateral decision to annex and, and I would express that opposition.”

Favreau: How do you see sort of your support for Israel — which I know you’re a strong supporter of Israel - with the policies under Netanyahu and the direction he’s taken that politics? What can you do as president to show that, yes we support Israel but I’m unhappy with the direction?

Harris: “Let me be clear: I support the people of Israel. And I’m unambiguous about that. I’m supporting the people of Israel does not mean, it should not be translated to supporting whoever happens to be in elected office at that moment. And so, my support of Israel is strong and it is sincere. There is also no question that we must speak out when human rights abuses occur. We must work with our friend, which is Israel, to do those things that we collectively know are in the best interest of human rights and democracy because it is that shared commitment to democracy from which the relationship was born and so we have to hold on to that.”

“I also believe that there is no question a Harris administration would be very forceful in working toward a two state solution. That has to happen.”

Favreau: What kind of diplomatic pressure could you exert on Israel to make sure that that happens, or at least push them towards that direction?

Harris: “Well, there are a number of things. But it has to be about opening a channel of communication that is honest and not informed by a lack of information or a lack of historical perspective or a lack of concern. And I think that all of those are concerns that we should have about the current administration.” (PodSaveAmerica, April 17, 2019)

Iran

“Today we are announcing our intention to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Given Iran’s brutal crackdown on women and girls protesting peacefully for their rights, Iran is unfit to serve on this Commission.” (@VP, November 2, 2022)
“Let me be clear: We will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon, period.” (Jerusalem Post, August 27, 2020)
“The Iran nuclear agreement, back when it was reached, you know some people wanted it, some people didn’t, but no one could deny that a lot of work went into it. And it was a solution, imperfect though it may be, and it involved many partners not just the United States and Iran. So, our friends around the globe also agreed to the terms, and there was compliance with the terms of the agreement…Donald Trump unilaterally pulled us out. And from my perspective, everything that we have seen happen since was predictable. So, yes, when elected with your help….We will re-enter the agreement, but, also, I will want to strengthen it, and that will mean extending the sunset provisions, including ballistic missile testing and also increasing oversight.”? (Democratic Majority for Israel, October 8, 2019)
Spokesperson: “Senator Harris has said keeping the American people safe is her top priority and that Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. The president’s actions increase the likelihood of a military confrontation, and do not make us safer. She believes that firm diplomacy is the best path to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and avoid war. The Iran Deal was not perfect, but the president’s decision to unilaterally abandon it was driven by political motives and it hurts our ability to hold Iran accountable. She believes the U.S. should work with the international community to ensure Iran complies with the terms of the deal and place new limits on their missile program.”? (Jewish Insider, May 15, 2019)
“Obviously Iran is a big source of concern for many reasons and in terms of — what I have concerns about is the president’s approach to it all.” (Jewish Insider, May 8, 2019)
She supported the Iran nuclear deal, although she was not a senator when it was signed in 2015. (JTA, January 11, 2019)
After the Trump administration pulled out of the deal, she issued the following statement: “Today’s decision to violate the Iran nuclear deal jeopardizes our national security and isolates us from our closest allies. This nuclear deal is not perfect, but it is certainly the best existing tool we have to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and avoid a disastrous military conflict in the Middle East. As the international community and the Administration’s own national security team has confirmed multiple times, Iran remains in compliance with the deal. In the absence of an Iranian violation, it is reckless to break this agreement without presenting any plan on how to move forward. Instead of establishing a comprehensive, strategic national security policy, this Administration is far too focused on scoring political points.” (Kamala D. Harris, May 8, 2018)
A spokesperson for Harris, she “would rejoin the Iran deal if the U.S. could verify Iran is not cheating and is complying with the strict requirements detailed in the agreement…. She believes we must engage in tough, forceful diplomacy to combat Iran’s destabilizing behavior in the region.” (Al-Monitor, March 19, 2019)

Anti-Semitism

“I condemn any individuals associating with the brutal terrorist organization Hamas, which has vowed to annihilate the State of Israel and kill Jews. Pro-Hamas graffiti and rhetoric is abhorrent and we must not tolerate it in our nation….I support the right to peacefully protest, but let’s be clear: Anti-Semitism, hate and violence of any kind have no place in our nation.” (Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris, July 26, 2024)
“As someone who’s personally prosecuted hate crime, I also believe that we cannot stand by while antisemitism, hate crime and bigotry is on the rise, whether that’s a swastika on a Jewish family and children’s services bus in San Francisco or the burning of a mosque in Tampa. No one should have to be afraid to put a menorah in their front window or on their front lawn.” (Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2019)
“I also believe that we need to speak the truth that antisemitism is real in this country. We cannot stand by while antisemitism, hate crimes and bigotry are on the rise, this violence and hate are alarming and simply unacceptable. No one should have to worry about their children’s safety when they drop them off at the JCC.” (Comments to American Jewish Committee, June 3, 2019)
Harris opposes the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement targeting Israel (JTA, January 11, 2019), which she said is “based on the mistaken assumption that Israel is solely to blame for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” She believes “the BDS movement seeks to weaken Israel, but it will only isolate the nation and steer Israelis against prerequisite compromises for peace [...] I believe we should not isolate Israel, the only democracy in the region” (Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2019). Nevertheless, Harris was one of 22 Democrats who voted against the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act of 2019 (76 senators voted aye) a bill that authorizes state and local governments to demand that contractors declare they do not support boycotts of Israel or its settlements in the West Bank. She and other Democrats who opposed the bill said they did so because of their concern that it could limit Americans’ First Amendment rights. (JTA, February 7, 2019)
Regarding anti-Semitic remarks by Rep. Ilhan Omar: “We all have a responsibility to speak out against antisemitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, and all forms of hatred and bigotry, especially as we see a spike in hate crimes in America,” she said. “But like some of my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, I am concerned that the spotlight being put on Congresswoman Omar may put her at risk.” (Jerusalem Post, July 12, 2019)

Syria

Regarding the withdrawal of U.S. troops in October 2019:

What has happened in Syria is yet again Donald Trump selling folks out. And in this case, he sold out the Kurds, who, yes, fought with us and thousands died in our fight against ISIS.

And let’s be clear. What Donald Trump has done, because of that phone call with Erdogan, is basically giving 10,000 ISIS fighters a “get out of jail free” card. And you know who the winner is in this? There are four: Russia, Iran, Assad, and ISIS.

This is a crisis of Donald Trump’s making. And it is on a long list of crises of Donald Trump’s making. And that’s why dude got to go. And when I am commander-in-chief, we will stop this madness.” (Washington Post, October 16, 2019)

*AICE does not rate or endorse any candidate for political office.

Sources: Kamala D. Harris.
“Kamala Harris,” Wikileaks.
Ron Kampeas, “5 Jewish things to know about Kamala Harris,” JTA, (January 11, 2019).
Stephen Zunes, “More AIPAC Than J Street’: Kamala Harris Runs to the Right on Foreign Policy,” Arab America, January 30, 2019).
Ben Ariel, “Senate approves resolution on Jerusalem reunification,” Arutz Sheva, (June 6, 2017).
Maxwell Strachan, “Kamala Harris Releases Off-The-Record AIPAC Comments,” Huffpost, (February 24, 2019).
John Favreau, “2020: Kamala Harris On American Identity And Secret Recipes,” PodSaveAmerica, (April 17, 2019).
Ron Kampeas, “Why these Democratic presidential hopefuls voted no on an anti-BDS bill,” JTA, (February 7, 2019).
“Harris Statement on Trump Violating the Iran Nuclear Deal,” Kamala D. Harris, (May 8, 2018).
Bryant Harris, “2020 Democrats vow to re-enter Iran nuclear deal,” Al-Monitor, (March 19, 2019).
Emily Cadei and Michael Wilner, “On Israel, Kamala Harris breaks with liberal 2020 pack,” McClatchy, (April 16, 2019).
“Daily Kickoff: 2020 Dems criticize Trump’s approach to Iran,” Jewish Insider, (May 15, 2019).
Comments to American Jewish Committee, (June 3, 2019).
Omri Nahimias, “In call with Jewish supporters, Harris vows not to condition aid to Israel,” Jerusalem Post, (August 27, 2020).
“Remarks by Vice President Harris at Israel’s Independence Day Reception,” The White House, (June 7, 2023).
“18 Questions. 21 Democrats. Here’s What They Said,” New York Times, (June 19, 2019).
Omri Nahmias, “What’s Kamala Harris’s Record On Israel?” Jerusalem Post, (July 12, 2019).
Alayna Treene and Barak Ravid, “Top 2020 Dems wouldn’t reverse Trump’s Jerusalem embassy decision,” Axios, (July 14, 2019).
Al-Monitor, (September 13, 2019).
“The October Democratic debate transcript,” Washington Post, (October 16, 2019).
Ron Kampeas, “Kamala Harris tells Jewish supporters aid to Israel will not be conditional in a Biden administration,” JTA, (August 26, 2020).
“US will not impose conditions on support for Israel to defend itself -VP Harris,” Reuters, (November 2, 2023).
“US VP Harris calls for ‘immediate’ Gaza truce in rare rebuke of Israel,” Al Jazeera, (March 4, 2024).
Alex Morris, “Kamala Harris: ‘What Kind of Country Do We Want to Live In?’” Rolling Stone, (June 11, 2024).
“Remarks by Vice President Harris on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence,” The White House, (June 17, 2024).
Marc Rod, “‘We cannot look away and we will not be silent’: Harris addresses Hamas sexual violence,” Jewish Insider, (June 18, 2024).
Dan Perry, “What would Biden’s potential replacements mean for Israel?” Forward, (June 29, 2024).
Joan Walsh, “Is Kamala the One?” The Nation, (July 8, 2024).
Peter Nicholas and Katherine Doyle, “Kamala Harris’ 2020 campaign was a mess. If she replaces Biden, this time could be a lot different,” NBC News, (July 21, 2024).
Jacob Kornbluh, “What would a Kamala Harris presidency mean for American Jews and Israel?” Forward, (July 21, 2024).
Michael D. Shear, “Biden’s decision upends the race less than four months before Election Day. Here’s the latest.” New York Times, (July 21, 2024).
Ron Kampeas, “Kamala Harris says she ‘will not be silent’ about plight of Palestinians after meeting Benjamin Netanyahu,” JTA, (July 25, 2024).
Gabby Deutch, “Harris condemns ‘unpatriotic protestors’ and ‘abhorrent’ pro-Hamas graffiti in Washington,” Jewish Insider, (July 25, 2024).
Gabby Deutch, “Harris affirms ‘unwavering commitment’ to Israel after meeting with Netanyahu,” Jewish Insider, (July 25, 2024).
Statement by Vice President Kamala Harris, The White House, (July 26, 2024).
Jacob Magid, “Harris condemns Golan rocket attack, vows ‘ironclad’ support for Israel’s security,” Times of Israel, (July 28, 2024).
Peter Aitken and Andrea Vacchiano, “Harris says Israel has right to defend itself as Iran, Russia and Lebanon condemn IDF strike on Hezbollah,” Fox News, (July 30, 2024).
Jacob Magid, “Harris tells anti-Israel hecklers to be quiet unless they ‘want Donald Trump to win,’” Times of Israel, (August 8, 2024).
Erica L. GreenKellen Browning, and Jonathan Weisman, “In Detroit, Harris Confronts Divisions Roiling Democrats Over Gaza War,” New York Times, (August 8, 2024).
Will Weissert, “Some activists step up criticism of Shapiro and Kelly as Harris closes in on naming a running mate.” AP, (August 3, 2024).
“ADL condemns Harris campaign chief’s meeting with journalist who praised Hamas,” Times of Israel, (August 18, 2024).
Ben Sales, “Kamala Harris, as Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks teeter: ‘We’re not giving up,’” JTA, (August 19, 2024).
“Vice President Harris’ Acceptance Speech,” (August 22, 2024).
“Harris and Walz’s exclusive joint interview with CNN,” CNN, (August 30, 2024).
“Statement by Vice President Harris on Hersh Goldberg-Polin,” The White House, (August 31, 2024).
Riley Hoffman, “Harris-Trump presidential debate transcript,” ABC News, (September 10, 2024).
“Biden, Harris assail IDF over killing of American in West Bank, demand accountability,” Times of Israel, (September 10, 2024).
Ron Kampeas, “Do Donald Trump and Kamala Harris identify as ‘Zionist’? Here’s what their campaigns told us,” JTA, (September 12, 2024).
“Vice President Harris Speaks With National Association of Black Journalists,” C-SPAN, (September 17, 2024).
“Muslim Americans moving to anti-Israel Jill Stein in potential blow to Kamala Harris,” Times of Israel, (September 19, 2024).
“Uncommitted Statement On 2024 Election and Next Steps,” (September 19, 2024).
“Daily Kickoff,” Jewish Insider, (September 20, 2024).
Chuck Ross, “‘I Will Not Be Silent’: Kamala Floods Dearborn With Facebook Ads,” Washington Free Beacon, (September 24, 2024).
“Statement by Vice President Harris on the Death of Hassan Nasrallah,” The White House, (September 28, 2024).
“Statement by Vice President Harris Marking One Year Since the October 7th Attack,” The White House, (October 7, 2024).
Jonathan Weisman, “Pro-Palestinian ‘Uncommitted’ Group Comes Out Firmly Against Trump,” New York Times, (October 8, 2024).
Ron Kampeas, “Democratic poll shows 71% of Jewish voters across 7 swing states favor Kamala Harris,” JTA, (October 9, 2024).
Gabby Deutch, “Harris speaks out against campus antisemitism,” Jewish Insider, (October 11, 2024).
Jacob Magid, “VP Harris urges Israel to do more to facilitate flow of aid into northern Gaza,” Times of Israel, (October 14, 2024).
Michelle Boorstein, “Harris and Trump vie for Jewish voters unsettled by Israel-Gaza conflict,” Washington Post, (October 14, 2024).
“Jewish American Views on the 2024 Election (Part I),” CHIP50, (October 2024).
Rachel Fink “‘It’s Real’: How Two Words by Kamala Harris Set Off a Firestorm About Genocide in Gaza,” Haaretz, (October 20, 2024).
Hamed Aleaziz, “Inside the Harris Campaign’s Push to Win Back Muslim and Arab Voters,” New York Times, (October 22, 2024).
Ron Kampeas, “Kamala Harris says Trump’s reported admiration of Hitler’s generals is ‘deeply troubling,’” JTA, (October 23, 2024).
“‘Bibi called’: Trump claims to speak with Netanyahu on near daily basis,” Times of Israel, (October 24, 2024).
Ben Samuels, “Harris Says Gaza Death Toll ‘Unconscionable’ as Trump Vows to ‘Do a Lot for Israel,’” Haaretz, (October 24, 2024).
“Kamala Harris says she’s not concerned about Trump’s talks with Netanyahu,” Times of Israel, (October 274, 2024).

Photo: Lawrence Jackson, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.