Kamala Harris on Israel

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                

Harris’s Views on Israel Are in the Spotlight as Netanyahu Visits Washington:  The vice president will be closely watched this week for signs of her approach to the war in Gaza should she win the White House in November.

Regarding Israel’s war on Hamas, Harris has sounded more sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians, a stance that could mollify Arab-American voters and others who are troubled by Biden’s support for Israel’s war effort in Gaza.

Mr. Netanyahu’s trip throws a spotlight on the views of Ms. Harris, who has emerged as a forceful voice on the Israel-Hamas war, particularly in discussing the plight of "innocent Palestinians". In a civil rights speech in Selma, Ala., this year, Ms. Harris garnered widespread attention for calling for an “immediate cease-fire” and assailing Israel for creating a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu, 75 years old- spoke to Congress today to a packed room  and balcony  of Republicans.  Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu (born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician, serving as the prime minister of Israel since 2022, having previously held the office in 1996–1999 and 2009–2021.

Earlier,  President Biden gave his official farewell speech, stepping down from running for President for a 2nd term and giving the opportunity to Kamala Harris, who was not present, along with most of the Democrats.  That was really a shame, as Bibi gave one of his best speeches to the awaiting people.  The Democrats had walked out on a speech Netanyahu had given to the UN years ago, too, when he held up the sign about Iran and the A bomb and how close they were to achieving their goals.  

I was duly impressed, thinking that he certainly knows how to speak in a most persuasive way with facts I've known all along.  It's how he puts it all together that is impressive.  Kamala was attending a Black Sorority occasion.                                               

Being Harris is married to a Jewish man, Doug Emhoff, a lawyer who's Jewish, I originally thought she's have more of an understanding of the causes of this war, but was mistaken.  Emhoff was born on October 13, 1964, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, the son of Jewish parents From 1969 to 1981, he grew up in Matawan and Old Bridge Township, New Jersey.  His family were congregants of Temple Shalom, a Reform synagogue in Aberdeen Township at which Emhoff had his bar mitzvah in 1977. 

 Though we Jews make up only 2% of the American population, we are a varied group, though the majority of us are called the Ashkenazis (Germans) after 70 CE and the destruction of Jerusalem by Romans. We are also varied in our religious experience as Jews; with some being Reform, some Conservative which I was brought up in, and some as Orthodox, like my grandparents.  I have a feeling that the Reform are the majority here in the USA.  I'm right.  Judaism (35% Reform, 18% Conservative, 10% Orthodox, 6% others, 30% non-denomination, irreligious, atheists, etc.).  That 30%  are really Hellenized to the point of possibly being non-caring or being completely very uneducated as to their genetic history and simply are no longer interested, which makes me very sad.   We have such a rich heritage.  It's all the more reason why we need Israel.  

Biden said of Kamala Harris;  "She's tough."  She has been on Israel for years.    She might even pick a Jewish man, Governor Josh Shapiro from Pennsylvania, as vice president, but he may not be selected because of his faith, too, said on a TV article.  

"Some commentators have already argued that Harris could benefit from adding Shapiro to the

 Democratic ticket, particularly if she's seen as being more vocally critical of Israel and the 

country's actions in Gaza.

White House National Security Council officials toned down parts of a speech Vice President 

Harris on Gaza in March before she gave it, according to an NBC News report. In the speech, 

Harris called for an immediate six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas but the original

 draft was reportedly harsher toward Israel. The vice president's office denied the speech had 

been toned down."

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/21/kamala-harris-foreign-policy-00170143

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-gaza-israel-hamas-policy/74499016007/CNN

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/23/us/politics/harris-netanyahu-israel-gaza.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Jews#:~:text=Judaism%20(35%25%20Reform%2C%2018,irreligious%2C%20atheists%2C%20etc.)