Vice President Kamala Harris’s handling of pro-Hamas protests during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. has sparked debate about her stance on U.S.-Israel relations, particularly as she campaigns to replace President Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee. Republican Jewish Coalition National Political Director Sam Markstein criticizes Harris’s response as weak and claims her actions are indicative of a potential Harris presidency, highlighting concerns about her commitment to the U.S.-Israel alliance.
The protests, which took place in Washington, D.C., ahead of Netanyahu’s address to Congress, saw demonstrators burning American flags, chanting anti-Semitic slogans, and vandalizing a Liberty Bell replica with pro-Hamas messages. Markstein specifically condemned Harris’s delayed response and the lack of concrete action she proposed to hold the protesters accountable. He views her actions as a preview of her approach to U.S.-Israel relations if elected, raising anxieties about a potential weakening of the traditionally strong bond between the two countries.
Harris’s condemnation of the protests, issued a day after the event, focused on the acts of the protesters and the dangers of associating with Hamas. However, her statement did not explicitly mention any concrete actions to address the rise of antisemitism, a point that Markstein emphasized as crucial. He believes that the Jewish community is increasingly energized to support Donald J. Trump, seeing him as a champion for law and order and a protector of Jewish interests in the face of growing antisemitism.
Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. comes at a crucial time for Harris, who is vying for the Democratic nomination just four months before the presidential election. She has repeatedly stated her support for Israel’s right to defend itself since the conflict with Hamas began in October. However, her calls for a ceasefire in the region and her past expressions of empathy for pro-Palestinian protesters have raised questions about her commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship.
This controversy reflects a broader national debate about the delicate balance of navigating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while upholding American values and addressing concerns about rising antisemitism. It remains to be seen how this issue will impact the upcoming election and shape future U.S.-Israel relations.
