Rising Tensions in Gaza Could Impact Kamala Harris's Plans

In a recent op-ed, Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post, expressed grave concerns about Kamala Harris's potential presidency and its implications for Israel and the Jewish community. Klein highlighted Harris's previous openness to an arms embargo on Israel, which, despite being retracted by her campaign, reflects a troubling pattern of empathy towards anti-Israel sentiments within her party. He pointed to her muted response to Rep. Ilhan Omar's antisemitic remarks in 2019 as indicative of her lack of firm commitment to combating antisemitism. Klein also criticized Harris's support for the Iran nuclear deal, arguing that it empowers a significant threat to Israel. He noted that her alignment with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has increasingly adopted a hostile stance towards Israel, raises alarms among those who believe the deal fails to adequately prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Furthermore, her calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza were seen as potentially beneficial to Hamas, undermining Israel's negotiating position. As the conflict in Gaza escalates, Harris's role in the Situation Room has become pivotal. Klein recounted a recent incident where President Biden expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which has exacerbated tensions in the region. While Harris has shown a willingness to address Palestinian suffering more directly than Biden, she has yet to outline a distinct policy approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict, leaving many questions about her potential presidency unanswered.