J-POST: Kamala Harris May be a ‘Disaster for Israel and Jews’

(VINnews) — The Chief Editor of the Jerusalem Post published a scathing op-ed, saying that Kamala Harris “could be a disaster for Israel and the Jewish people.”

Zvika Klein, editor-in-chief of the Post, published the piece Thursday evening, entitled “Harris as president could be a disaster for Israel and the Jewish people.”

Klein noted Harris’s disturbing comments saying that she is open to an arms embargo on Israel. Though her campaign walked that back, Klein noted that it is consistent with Harris’ trend of supporting Palestinian causes at the expense of Israel.

Klein wrote:

Harris’s willingness to entertain an arms embargo, as suggested during her Detroit meeting, is not an isolated incident. Over the years, her actions and statements have consistently raised alarms about her commitment to Israel. In February 2019, when Rep. Ilhan Omar used antisemitic tropes by suggesting that American support for Israel was “all about the Benjamins” and accusing American Jews of having “allegiance to a foreign country,” Harris’s response was disturbingly tepid. Instead of unequivocally condemning Omar’s statements, Harris expressed concern that the criticism might endanger Omar, thus failing to denounce the antisemitic rhetoric within her party firmly.

Harris’s support for the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) is another contentious point. In 2015, she supported the agreement, which many critics argue empowers Iran, a significant threat to Israel. Rejoining the JCPOA aligns Harris with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has increasingly taken a hostile stance toward Israel. This alignment is deeply troubling for those who believe that the deal does not sufficiently prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Harris’s public comments have sometimes appeared to undermine Israel’s negotiating position. In March 2024, she called for “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, which would have effectively provided a lifeline to Hamas.

The op-ed added: During a visit to George Mason University in 2021, a student accused Israel of conducting an “ethnic genocide in Palestine.” Instead of refuting these baseless claims, Harris emphasized hearing the student’s perspective. At the Munich Security Conference in February 2023, Harris advocated for the establishment of a Palestinian state without adequately addressing the ongoing threat of terrorism from groups like Hamas.

Harris’s public comments have sometimes appeared to undermine Israel’s negotiating position. In March 2024, she called for “an immediate ceasefire” in Gaza, which would have effectively provided a lifeline to Hamas.

Klein also wrote: Harris’s track record on Israel is fraught with troubling decisions and statements that raise serious concerns about her commitment to the US-Israel alliance. Her openness to discussing an arms embargo, her soft response to anti-Israel rhetoric, her support for the Iran nuclear deal, and her alignment with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party all suggest a potential shift in US policy that could jeopardize both Israeli and American security interests.

As Israel faces multiple threats, unwavering American support is more crucial than ever. Harris’s record indicates she will probably not provide the steadfast backing that Israel needs. This election is pivotal, and the stakes for Israel and the American Jewish community could not be higher. Voters must carefully consider the implications of a Harris presidency and its potential risks to one of America’s most important allies.