Potential Harris VP pick Josh Shapiro on defense over Israel after decades-old college essay surfaces
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has had to defend his stance on Israel after an op-ed he penned more than three decades ago, in which he disparaged the Palestinian people, resurfaced.
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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has come under scrutiny for an op-ed he wrote over three decades ago, in which he expressed controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the essay, a young Shapiro disparaged the Palestinian people, claiming they were "too battle-minded" to coexist peacefully with Israel and touting his own experience as a "volunteer in the Israeli army."
As Gov. Shapiro now faces potential vice-presidential considerations for the Democratic ticket, his spokesman, Manuel Bonder, has pushed back against the criticism. Bonder stated that the governor's views have evolved since writing the op-ed as a 20-year-old student and highlighted Shapiro's subsequent relationships with Muslim-American, Arab-American, and Palestinian Christian communities.
The governor's support for a two-state solution and his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he called "one of the worst leaders of all time," have done little to quell the controversy. Critics have launched the "No Genocide Josh" campaign, pressuring Vice President Kamala Harris to choose another running mate.
In response, Jewish members of Congress have defended Shapiro, arguing that criticism of his Israel stance is unfair and rooted in stereotypes about Jewish politicians' objectivity. Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, asserted that Jewish lawmakers are unjustly perceived as inherently biased on Israel-related issues.
Bonder reiterated that the governor's current position supports a peaceful two-state solution and emphasized his dedication to bringing people together and serving all Pennsylvanians. He also clarified Shapiro's "volunteer" work, explaining that it involved non-military service projects on an Israeli army base as part of a high school community service program.
When confronted about the op-ed during a press conference, Gov. Shapiro himself stressed the age he was when he wrote it and reiterated his long-held belief in a two-state solution, allowing both Israelis and Palestinians self-determination.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has come under scrutiny for an op-ed he wrote over three decades ago, in which he expressed controversial views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the essay, a young Shapiro disparaged the Palestinian people, claiming they were "too battle-minded" to coexist peacefully with Israel and touting his own experience as a "volunteer in the Israeli army."
As Gov. Shapiro now faces potential vice-presidential considerations for the Democratic ticket, his spokesman, Manuel Bonder, has pushed back against the criticism. Bonder stated that the governor's views have evolved since writing the op-ed as a 20-year-old student and highlighted Shapiro's subsequent relationships with Muslim-American, Arab-American, and Palestinian Christian communities.
The governor's support for a two-state solution and his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who he called "one of the worst leaders of all time," have done little to quell the controversy. Critics have launched the "No Genocide Josh" campaign, pressuring Vice President Kamala Harris to choose another running mate.
In response, Jewish members of Congress have defended Shapiro, arguing that criticism of his Israel stance is unfair and rooted in stereotypes about Jewish politicians' objectivity. Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, asserted that Jewish lawmakers are unjustly perceived as inherently biased on Israel-related issues.
Bonder reiterated that the governor's current position supports a peaceful two-state solution and emphasized his dedication to bringing people together and serving all Pennsylvanians. He also clarified Shapiro's "volunteer" work, explaining that it involved non-military service projects on an Israeli army base as part of a high school community service program.
When confronted about the op-ed during a press conference, Gov. Shapiro himself stressed the age he was when he wrote it and reiterated his long-held belief in a two-state solution, allowing both Israelis and Palestinians self-determination.