Kamala Harris: What do we know about her support for Israel and her potential policies?

US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in the upcoming US presidential election, has a long history of supporting Israel on multiple fronts. Her stance on Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza, now in its tenth month, is under close scrutiny. How she will position herself on this issue remains a key point of interest.

US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in the upcoming presidential election, has a long history of supporting Israel on multiple fronts. Her stance on Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza, now in its tenth month, is under close scrutiny. How she will position herself on this issue remains a key point of interest.

Harris' support for Israel

According to the Palestine Today Newspaper Archive, Kamala Harris has made several comments expressing her allegiance to Israel. In 2017, during an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference, she stated she had contributed to Jewish funds raising money to plant trees in Tel Aviv. She said she witnessed the fruits of this effort during her first visit to Israel.

In 2018, Harris spoke before the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) annual policy conference in Washington, and delivered a long speech that provided a clear picture of her stance. Her address revealed she did not believe a solution to the Israeli-Arab conflict could be imposed and that she did not align with the J Street Jewish group, which sometimes criticizes the Israeli government.

In a 2020 article on the British website Middle East Eye, writer Ali Harb stated that “Harris has been a staunch supporter of Israel. Months after being sworn into the Senate in 2017, she delivered a speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) describing the bond between Israel and the US as unbreakable.”

Harris has been a staunch supporter of Israel. Months after being sworn into the Senate in 2017, she delivered a speech at AIPAC describing the bond between Israel and the US as ‘unbreakable.’ Harris stated: “Israel should never be a partisan issue. As long as I'm a US senator, I will do everything in my power to ensure broad and bipartisan support for Israel's security and right to self-defense.”

In her speech, Harris stated that “Israel should never be a partisan issue. And as long as I'm a United States senator, I will do everything in my power to ensure broad and bipartisan support for Israel's security and right to self-defense.”

The article also points out that one of Harris' first legislative actions as a senator was cosponsoring a bill opposing a UN Security Council resolution that “condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”

When asked by the New York Times whether she believes Israel meets international human rights standards, Harris responded: "Overall, yes."

A report by The Times of Israel confirms that “over the course of her life and career, Kamala Harris has been surrounded by Jews, from her schoolmates to her colleagues to her closest family members.” This background, according to those who have interacted with her, “has given Harris an easy familiarity with Jewish spaces.”

Israeli newspapers have often classified Kamala Harris as part of the "pro-Israel camp within the Democratic Party." They have quoted her as saying that "the first resolution I coauthored as a member of the Senate was aimed at combating bias against Israel in the United Nations." Given this, how might her positions and policies evolve if she were to win the US presidency?

The newspaper also noted that Kamala Harris encouraged her husband, Doug Emhoff, to “embrace his Jewish identity as the second gentleman,” and he “has taken a leading role in the administration’s efforts to fight antisemitism.”

Fighting bias against Israel

Kamala Harris' support for Israel appears to be unwavering. In early 2019, she was one of 23 Democrats who voted for a bill that encouraged US states to restrict the right to boycott Israel. In a letter to Donald Trump in June of that year, she wrote, "My support for Israel’s security is unwavering, as is my commitment to the 10-year, $38 billion security assistance Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) ."

Israeli newspapers have often classified Kamala Harris as part of the "pro-Israel camp within the Democratic Party." They have quoted her as saying that "the first resolution I co-authored as a member of the Senate was aimed at combating bias against Israel in the United Nations."

In January 2017, Harris supported a Senate resolution that criticized the Obama administration for not using its veto power against a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel's settlement policies.

Kamala Harris has made several comments and taken stances expressing her allegiance to Israel. One of Harris' first legislative actions as a senator was co-sponsoring a bill opposing a UN Security Council resolution that “condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.” When asked by the New York Times whether she believes Israel meets international human rights standards, Harris responded: "Overall, yes."

In June 2023, Harris attended a ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israel's independence, hosted by the Israeli Embassy in Washington. In her speech, she said: “While Israel and the United States have achieved so much together, there is still so much more work to do. Previous generations willed the dream of Israel into reality and established enduring bonds between our nations and our people. And now, it is then up to us to strengthen these bonds even further. I look forward to the next 75 years of progress and partnership. Let us celebrate all that our nations have achieved together and all that is yet to come.”

Harris opposes Israel on West Bank annexation

However, Kamala Harris has opposed some Israeli policies, notably Israel's annexation of neighborhoods in the West Bank, which she described as a "unilateral" move detrimental to Israel.

Harris also refused to support the US Israel Anti-Boycott Act, a legislation that criminalizes boycotting Israel. She voted against the bill, arguing that it infringes on freedom of expression, although she fundamentally opposes boycott campaigns against Israel.

During this period, Harris faced criticism for her stance. Her office released a statement saying, "Senator Harris strongly supports security assistance to enhance Israel's ability to defend itself. She has traveled to Israel, where she saw firsthand the importance of US-Israel security cooperation. She opposed the law out of concern that it might limit Americans' First Amendment rights."

Harris has repeatedly emphasized her steadfast dedication to Israel's security. During her 2023 speech at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, she reiterated, “At the core of the US-Israel relationship is America's ironclad commitment to the security of Israel, 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 US Senate.” She then added, “And know this: Whether replenishing Iron Dome, working together to develop a new laser defense system, or countering Iran, the commitment of the United States to Israel's security will remain unwavering.”

In June 2023, Harris gave a speech at a ceremony celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israel's independence, hosted by the Israeli Embassy in Washington. She said: “While Israel and the United States have achieved so much together, there is still so much more work to do. I look forward to the next 75 years of progress and partnership. Let us celebrate all that our nations have achieved together and all that is yet to come.”

According to The Times of Israel, Harris has “also stirred concerns among some pro-Israel Jews” due to her positions on the Gaza war and student protests against it. “She has staked out positions... that are to Biden’s left and are sympathetic to some of the war’s strongest critics.”

Despite Harris' consistent support for Israel and its security, these seemingly opposing positions have sparked concern within Israel about her potential presidency. There is worry that she might hinder Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza or fail to offer the same level of support that Biden has provided. Additionally, her endorsement of a two-state solution conflicts with the preferences and goals of many in the Jewish community.

The first Jewish spouse in the White House

Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, 59, is Jewish and a prominent supporter of Israel. According to a November 2020 report by The Times of Israel, the couple married in 2014— her first marriage and his second.

Emhoff, who is very active on social media, works as a lawyer specializing in media, sports, and entertainment law, and is the first Jewish spouse of a US Vice President. Friends describe him as "a less-than-observant Jew but one who identifies strongly with, and is deeply shaped by Judaism.”

In one instance, a reporter from Forward, a Jewish newspaper, asked Emhoff’s mother, Barbara, about his religious upbringing. She responded with some hesitation: "He was bar mitzvahed in New Jersey, I can tell you that.”

According to the report, Emhoff was born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey before his family moved to California during his teenage years. He is said to have “happy memories of Jewish summer camp, where he won several athletic awards.”

Harris has repeatedly emphasized her steadfast dedication to Israel's security. During a 2023 speech at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, she reiterated, “At the core of the US-Israel relationship is America's ironclad commitment to the security of Israel, 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, when I served in the US Senate. Whether replenishing Iron Dome or working together to develop a new laser defense system, the commitment of the United States to Israel's security will remain unwavering.”

In December 2022, the White House hosted Jewish leaders to discuss antisemitism in the United States. Among them was Kamala Harris' husband, who described antisemitism as an "epidemic" and led a roundtable discussion with leaders of the American Jewish community.

Emhoff has been a steadfast supporter of the American Jewish community, a role that became especially prominent after the Israeli war on Gaza. He rallied support for the community and chaired meetings with Jewish organizations to address antisemitism.

In April of the previous year, Emhoff co-chaired a meeting with Jewish leaders to discuss Biden’s support for Israel during its war on Gaza.

Another report by The Times of Israel highlighted Emhoff’s role in assembling the first national strategy to combat antisemitism. He also led Passover celebrations at the White House and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a memorial at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, where 11 Jewish worshippers were killed by a gunman motivated by anti-Jewish hatred.

These details suggest that if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, her husband Doug Emhoff is likely to leverage his position as "the First Gentleman" of the United States to continue advocating and demanding full support for Israel, whether in its war on Gaza or in other matters.

Emhoff has stated, “I’m also going to live openly and proudly as a Jew and that will never change. I’m going to fight antisemitism and that’s never going to change.”

These details suggest that if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, her husband Doug Emhoff is likely to leverage his position as "the First Gentleman" of the United States to continue advocating for Jewish rights and demanding full support for Israel, whether in its war on Gaza or in other matters.

Harris' stance on the Israeli war on Gaza

One of the most pressing issues for many is Kamala Harris' stance on the Israeli war on Gaza. In reality, her position aligns closely with that of Joe Biden. However, she both believes allegations that Hamas raped women on October 7 and advocates for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of innocent civilians. This dual stance has sparked significant debate about how she might handle the issue if she wins the US presidential election and what it means for her overall support for Israel.

One of the most pressing issues for many is Kamala Harris' stance on the Israeli war on Gaza. In reality, her position aligns closely with that of Joe Biden. However, she both believes allegations that Hamas raped women on October 7 and also advocates for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This dual stance has sparked significant debate about how she might handle the issue if she wins the presidential elections and what it means for her overall support for Israel.

Ihab Abbas, a Washington-based journalist specializing in US affairs and international relations, asserts that Kamala Harris' stance on the Israeli war on Gaza will remain consistent with the position she stated during her meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Abbas notes that “Harris has expressed her unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself,” labeling Hamas as a "terrorist and brutal organization."

Speaking to Raseef22, Abbas speculated that if Harris were to win the presidency, she would likely pursue Joe Biden’s plan for a ceasefire and an end to the war, which involves multiple phases. However, she would simultaneously continue her steadfast support for Israel.

Regarding how Harris might handle the youth opposing Biden’s policies on Gaza and support for Israel, Abbas explains that there would likely be no significant change. Harris is expected to maintain her support for Israel despite the division among young Americans on the issue, which, according to Abbas, is unlikely to have any substantial impact on the election.

Did Harris ignore Netanyahu’s speech in Congress?

Dr. Michael Morgan, a political researcher at the London Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, argues that Kamala Harris did not overlook Netanyahu’s speech in Congress. Instead, she was attempting to save face due to the war crimes and genocide Netanyahu committed in Gaza and Rafah. Morgan notes that while she "does not allow herself to openly support him, she has met with him privately, which proves that she does not want to publicly declare her stance."

Morgan points out that Harris is cautious about losing support from Democratic voters who are pro-Palestinian and support a two-state solution. He emphasizes that “her stance on the war on Gaza will remain unchanged.”

Political researcher Michael Morgan believes that if Kamala Harris wins the election, she will focus on diverting the American public's attention away from the Gaza issue. He also notes that Harris can attract young people who oppose Biden through vague rhetoric and passionate speeches, without making any concrete promises or commitments.

Morgan further asserts that Israel is crucial to the US, as are the elections, due to the significant influence of the Zionist lobby. He points to Netanyahu’s invitation to speak in Congress, despite his condemnation and conviction by the International Court, as evidence of this powerful influence.

Morgan believes that if Kamala Harris wins the election, she will focus on diverting the American public's attention away from the Gaza issue. He also notes that Harris can attract young people who oppose Biden through vague rhetoric and passionate speeches, without making any concrete promises or commitments.

Morgan concludes by stressing that the Israeli war on Gaza does not play as prominent a role in American politics as it might be perceived in the Middle East. He believes that the intensity of the issue has waned and is starting to fade into obscurity.