Democrats, who are already deeply divided over the continuing war between Hamas and Israel, are becoming increasingly concerned the war has spread, which will separate the party further and cost Vice President Kamala Harris votes, according to Dem strategists.
The Hill reported that progressives dissatisfied with the Biden-Harris administration’s Middle East policies might choose not to vote, and Republicans or moderates who might have been leaning toward Harris could choose to vote instead for former President Donald Trump and other down-ballot Republicans.
“The only position she is in is to echo [Joe] Biden’s position at this point in time,” said Susan Del Percio, longtime GOP strategist who isn’t supporting Trump. “She would be doing the world a disservice if she broke away from Biden. It doesn’t mean she can’t leave the door open, but right now, she can’t step away from him.”
One Dem strategist agreed VP Harris is “in the worst spot” because “she can’t undercut Biden’s policy, and she also has to not upset the balance of her coalition.”
Another party strategist commented Kamala Harris is in a “lose-lose situation” because “There are folks who think she’s not doing enough to help Israel, and then there’s the other side who think she’s not doing enough to help the situation in Gaza.”
Meanwhile, Trump has been emphasizing he is the only candidate who can keep Israel in existence.
“If I don’t win this election — and Jewish people would have a lot to do with that, 60% are voting for the enemy — Israel will cease to exist in two years,” said Trump to the Israeli-American Council conference in Washington, D.C. “I believe I’m 100% right.”
“If I do win, Israel will be safe and secure, and we’ll stop the toxic poison of antisemitism.”
Trump attacked Harris on Israel, claiming she “hates” the country
The former president additionally attacked Harris on Israel during their debate and claimed she “hates” the country.
“She wouldn’t even meet with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu when he went to Congress to make a very important speech,” said Trump, and added she also “hates the Arab population.”
VP Harris said she met with Netanyahu but didn’t attend his speech and said their talk was “frank and constructive.”
The vice president has argued on both sides of the issue and has said Israel has the right to defend itself but also believes too many civilian Palestinians have been killed.
VP Harris has additionally said she won’t veer from President Joe Biden’s policies on Israel and will continue to push for a cease-fire deal that would include the return of hostages still being held by Hamas.
The vice president also denied Trump’s claims she hates Israel and said she has supported the nation for her “entire career and life.”
However, this past Friday, talk show host Bill Maher attacked VP Harris on her Middle East policy after the Israelis’ operation to detonate two-way radios and pagers used by Hezbollah.
President Biden spoke in front of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City Tuesday. He is expected to address the Israel-Hamas conflict and participate in numerous sideline discussions. But Harris isn’t expected to attend the gathering.
However, she met on Monday in Washington, D.C., with Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates.
In the meantime, an AP-NORC poll last week found Trump and Harris in a virtual tie on their handling of the war between Hamas and Israel, with 36% saying they trust Trump more and 335 choosing Harris. Still, 20% said they didn’t trust either candidate on the issue, and 9% said both could be trusted.
